ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 1 July 1982
Page Count: 11

Analysis of Explosives by Liquid Chromatography-Negative Ion Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry
Parker, CE
Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NC

Harvan, DJ
Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NC

Henion, JD
New York State College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University,

Hass, JR
Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NC

Yinon, J
Visiting National Institutes of Health scientist at Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NC

Voyksner, RD

Tondeur, Y
Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NC

(Received 10 December 1981; accepted 4 January 1982)

Abstract

On-line high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-negative ion chemical ionization (NCI) mass spectrometry has been used for the analysis of explosives mixtures. The liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS) interface used was a commercial direct liquid introduction interface allowing about 1% of the solvent/sample effluent into the ion source. The HPLC mobile phases were acetronitrile/water (50:50) and methanol/water (50:50), which served also as NCI reagent gases. Standard mixtures containing 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), cyclonite (RDX), tetryl, and pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), and a military explosive, tetrytol, have been analyzed by the LC/MS system. The minimum detectable amount of TNT was 100 ng injected on column, or approximately 1 ng to the ion source.

Keywords:
criminalistics, chemical analysis, explosives, high performance liquid chromatography, negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry

Paper ID: JFS12161J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS12161J
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