Sensitivity and selectivity of switchable reagent ion soft chemical ionization mass spectrometry for the detection of picric acid

J Phys Chem A. 2014 Sep 18;118(37):8229-36. doi: 10.1021/jp5010192. Epub 2014 Mar 17.

Abstract

We have investigated the reactions of NO(+), H3O(+), O2(+), and Kr(+) with picric acid (2,4,6 trinitrophenol, C6H3N3O7, PiA) using a time-of-flight mass spectrometer with a switchable reagent ion source. NO(+) forms a simple adduct ion PiA·NO(+), while H3O(+) reacts with PiA via nondissociative proton transfer to form PiAH(+). In contrast, both O2(+) and Kr(+) react with PiA by nondissociative charge transfer to produce PiA(+). For Kr(+), we also observe dissociation of PiA, producing NO2(+) with a branching percentage of approximately 40%. For the reagent ions H3O(+) and O2(+) (and operating the drift tube with normal laboratory air), we find that the intensities of the PiAH(+) and PiA(+) ions both exhibit a peak at a given drift-tube voltage (which is humidity dependent). This unusual behavior implies a peak in the detection sensitivity of PiA as a function of the drift-tube voltage (and hence E/N). Aided by electronic-structure calculations and our previous studies of trinitrotoluene and trinitrobenzene, we provide a possible explanation for the observed peak in the detection sensitivity of PiA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Indicators and Reagents / chemistry
  • Krypton / chemistry
  • Mass Spectrometry / methods*
  • Nitric Oxide / chemistry
  • Oxygen / chemistry
  • Picrates / analysis*
  • Picrates / chemistry
  • Quantum Theory
  • Water / chemistry

Substances

  • Indicators and Reagents
  • Picrates
  • Water
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Krypton
  • picric acid
  • Oxygen