Detection of PAH of molecular weight between 300 and 402 in airborne particulate matter by fused silica capillary GC and GC/MS

Abstract

SummaryGas chromatography (GC), low-voltage mass spectrometry (LV MS), and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GUMS) have been used for detecting polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) of molecular weight between 300 and 402 in airborne particulate matter. Nearly 200 high molecular PAH separated by fused silica capillary columns could be characterized by their El mass spectra. The lack of reference substances precluded further structure elucidation.

Characterization of high molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by charge exchange chemical ionization mass spectrometry

“…Additionally dibenzo[bc,fc/]coronene [374(1)] and dicyclopenta[oj]coronene [374(2)] were rejected as possible components in the extract based on the predicted ( + H)+/M+ values. Dibenzo[e,g/w]indeno[l,2,3,4-p<jra]perylene [374 (5)] has been reported to be in the carbon black (6), but our calculated ( + H)+/M+ ratio does not support this. The experimental ( + H)+/M+ ratios of 0.521 and 0.917 fall outside the 90% confidence interval (Figure 5) for dibenzo-[e,g/»]indeno[l,2,3,4-pqra]perylene [374(5)].…”

“…As discussed previously, we proposed peak E to be either benzo[cd]naphtho[3,2,l,8-pqra]perylene [350(4)] or benzo-[ (m ] naphtho [ 2,1,8-gra ] perylene [350 (5)]. We now have assigned benzo[cd]naphtho[3,2,l,8-pgro]perylene [350(4)] to peak G. Therefore, we predict that peak E is benzo[lmn]naphtho[2,l,8-qra]perylene [350(5)].…”

“…We now have assigned benzo[cd]naphtho[3,2,l,8-pgro]perylene [350(4)] to peak G. Therefore, we predict that peak E is benzo[lmn]naphtho[2,l,8-qra]perylene [350(5)]. However, the experimental ( + H)+/M+ ratio for peak I is 0.431, which the (CE/CI)MS model predicts to be either benzo[Zmn]naphtho[3,2,l,8-pgra]perylene [350(4)] or benzo[Zmn]naphtho[2,1,8-gra] perylene [350 (5)]. We can eliminate benzo[cd]naphtho[3,2,l,8-pgra]perylene [350(4)] as a possibility because we have assigned this isomer to peak G, but we encounter a similar situation as before.…”

“…We can eliminate benzo[cd]naphtho[3,2,l,8-pgra]perylene [350(4)] as a possibility because we have assigned this isomer to peak G, but we encounter a similar situation as before. We conclude that either peak E or peak I is benzo[imn]naphtho[2,l,8-<jra]perylene [350 (5)]; the other peak is an isomer that has not appeared in the literature, and thus we have not calculated its IP.…”

“…The ion/molecule reactions that occur in chemical ionization mass spectrometry are in many cases analogous to those that occur in solution chemistry (5,6). Therefore, the rules governing solution chemistry should be applicable in (CE/ CI)MS. For example, the application of the Hammett equation ( 7) is a well-known, useful way of correlating the effects of substituents upon reaction rates or equilibrium constants (8).…”