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www.atmos-meas-tech-discuss.net/2/1837/2009/
doi:10.5194/amtd-2-1837-2009
© Author(s) 2009. This work is distributed
under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
MS/MS studies for the selective detection of isomeric biogenic VOCs using a Townsend Discharge Triple Quadrupole Tandem MS and a PTR-Linear Ion Trap MS
1Institut für Ionenphysik, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
2Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
3Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
4Purdue Climate Change Research Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
Abstract. We performed MS/MS investigations of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOC) using a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer (QqQ-MS) equipped with a Townsend Discharge ion source and a Proton Transfer Reaction Linear Ion Trap (PTR-LIT) mass spectrometer. Both instruments use H2O chemical ionization to produce protonated molecular ions. Here we report a study of the application of these instruments to determine methyl vinyl ketone (MVK) and methacrolein (MACR) and a series of monoterpenes (α-pinene, β-pinene, 3-carene, limonene, myrcene, ocimene) and sesquiterpenes (humulene and farnesene). Both instruments achieved sub-ppb detection limits in the single MS mode and in the MS/MS mode for differentiating MVK and MACR. Collision induced dissociation (CID) of protonated monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes was studied under the high-energy, single-to-few collision conditions of the QqQ-MS instrument and under the low-energy, multiple collision conditions of the PTR-LIT. Differences and similarities in the breakdown curves obtained are discussed. In addition, we performed MS4 of protonated limonene to illustrate the analytical power of the PTR-LIT. In spite of the progress we have made, the selective on-line mass-spectrometric detection of individual monoterpenes or sesquiterpenes in complex mixtures currently does not yet seem to be possible.
Discussion Paper (PDF, 3982 KB) Supplement (108 KB) Interactive Discussion (Closed, 3 Comments) Final Revised Paper (AMT)
Notice on Discussion StatusCitation: Müller, M., Mielke, L. H., Breitenlechner, M., McLuckey, S. A., Shepson, P. B., Wisthaler, A., and Hansel, A.: MS/MS studies for the selective detection of isomeric biogenic VOCs using a Townsend Discharge Triple Quadrupole Tandem MS and a PTR-Linear Ion Trap MS, Atmos. Meas. Tech. Discuss., 2, 1837-1861, doi:10.5194/amtd-2-1837-2009, 2009. Bibtex EndNote Reference Manager XML
