Acrolein (C(3)H(4)O) and 1-butene (C(4)H(8)) can both be individually detected by proton transfer chemical ionization mass spectrometry (CI-MS). However, because these compounds are isobaric, mixtures of these two compounds cannot be resolved since both compounds react with H(3)O(+) via a proton-transfer reaction to form a protonated molecule that is detected at a nominal mass-to-charge ratio of 57 (m/z 57). While both compounds react with H(3)O(+) only acrolein reacts to any significant extent with H(3)O(+)(H(2)O). Recognizing that the electrical potential applied to a drift tube reaction mass spectrometer provides a simple and effective means for varying the relative intensity of the H(3)O(+) and H(3)O(+)(H(2)O) reactant ions we have developed a method whereby we make use of this reactivity difference to resolve mixtures of these two compounds. We demonstrate a technique where the individual contributions of acrolein and 1-butene within a mixture can be quantitatively resolved by systematically changing the reagent ion from H(3)O(+) to H(3)O(+)(H(2)O) through control of the electric potential applied to the drift tube reaction region of a proton transfer reaction mass spectrometer.
Copyright (c) 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.