Bis(2-hydroxyethylthio)alkanes and bis(2-hydroxyethylthioalkyl)ethers are important biological and environmental degradation products of sulfur mustard analogs known as sesqui-and oxy-mustards. We used atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (APCI MS) to acquire characteristic spectra of these compounds in positive and negative ionization modes. Positive APCI mass spectra exhibited and [M -3H] Ϫ ; and both positive and negative APCI mass spectra contained fragment ions due to in-source collision-induced dissociation. Product ion scans confirmed the origin of fragment ions observed in single-stage MS. Although the spectra of these compounds were very similar, positive and negative APCI mass spectra of the oxy-mustard hydrolysis product, bis(2-hydroxyethylthiomethyl)ether, differed from the spectra of the other compounds in a manner that suggested a rearrangement to the sesqui-mustard hydrolysis product, bis(2-hydroxyethylthio)methane. We evaluated the [M ϩ O 2 ] Ϫ adduct ion for quantification via liquid chromatography-MS/MS in the multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM) mode by constructing calibration curves from three precursor/product ion transitions for all the analytes. Analytical figures of merit generated from the calibration curves indicated the stability and suitability of these transitions for quantification at concentrations in the low ng/mL range. Thus, we are the first to propose a quantitative method predicated on the measurement of product ions generated from the superoxide adduct anion of the sesqui-and oxy-mustard hydrolysis products. [5,6]. More specifically, the sesqui-mustard 1,2-bis(2-chloroethylthio)ethane (Agent Q) and the oxy-mustard bis(2-chloroethylthioethyl)ether (Agent T) are major components in the weapons-grade munitions designated HQ and HT, respectively [7]. As vesicants, these compounds are two to five times more potent than HD [8] with estimated human LC 50 -time relationships for inhalation exposure of 300 mg-min/m 3 (Agent Q) and 400 mgmin/m 3 (Agent T) [9] compared with 1500 mg-min/m 3 (HD) [10]. Thus, although the biological effects of exposure to HQ and HT are similar to those observed for HD, the presence of Agent Q or T increases the activity of these mixtures [10]. Sesqui-and oxymustards are a public health concern because of the risk of exposure to personnel involved in the destruction of chemical weapon stockpiles or to victims of a terrorist or military attack involving these agents.The biological fate of HD has been extensively studied [11][12][13][14][15] and three metabolic pathways: glutathione conjugation followed by -lyase metabolism, hydrolysis, and direct oxidation at the sulfur atom, have been elucidated and are believed to be responsible for the HD metabolites excreted in urine [13]. Likewise, environmental degradation of HD has been well characterized [5,16] and occurs primarily through hydrolysis to form thiodiglycol (TDG) and oxidation to form sulfoxides and sulfones [17]. Although the fate of sesqui-and oxy-mustards has not been as exten...