Title
Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometric analysis of explosives: RDX adduct ions
Abbreviated Journal Title
Rapid Commun. Mass Spectrom.
Keywords
IONIZATION MASS-SPECTROMETRY; ELECTROSPRAY-IONIZATION; WATER; DECOMPOSITION; Chemistry, Analytical; Spectroscopy
Abstract
In liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) of 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane (RDX), attachment of an anion to the analyte molecule is the major way of producing characteristic ions under electrospray ionization (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) conditions. The formation of RDX cluster ions in LC/MS and the origin of the clustering agents have been studied. In order to determine whether the clustering anions originate from selfdecomposition of RDX in the source or from impurities in the mobile phase, isotopically labeled RDX (C-13(3)-RDX and N-15(6)-RDX) and isotopically labeled glycolic acid, acetic acid, ammonium formate and formaldehyde have been used in order to establish the composition and formation route of RDX adduct ions produced in ESI and APCI sources. The results showed that, in ESI, self-decomposition of RDX plays no role in adduct ion formation; rather, RDX clusters with formate, acetate, hydroxyacetate, and chloride anions present in the mobile phase as impurities at ppm levels. In APCI, part of the RDX molecules decompose yielding NO2- species which in turn cluster with a second RDX molecule producing abundant [M+NO2](-) cluster ions. Copyright (C) 2003 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.
Journal Title
Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry
Volume
17
Issue/Number
9
Publication Date
1-1-2003
Document Type
Article
DOI Link
Language
English
First Page
943
Last Page
948
WOS Identifier
ISSN
0951-4198
Recommended Citation
"Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometric analysis of explosives: RDX adduct ions" (2003). Faculty Bibliography 2000s. 3770.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/facultybib2000/3770