Application of a low power/reduced pressure helium ICP ionization source for mass spectrometric detection of organobromine compounds and derivatized organotin compounds

Abstract

A low power, reduced pressure helium inductively coupled plasma source for mass spectrometry with capillary gas chromatography was applied to the detection of the organobromine species bromobenzene, 1-bromoheptane and benzyl bromide and ethylated forms of the ionic tri-substituted organotin species tributyltin chloride (TBuSnCl) and tripropyltin chloride (TPrSnCl). Total elemental information obtained with plasma source ionization was augmented with a capability to take fragment spectra that provides structural information about gas chromatographic eluents. Limits of detection for bromobenzene, 1-bromoheptane and benzyl bromide were 11, 6 and 4 pg, respectively. Molecular ions for all three organobromine compounds were obtained, as well as some characteristic alkyl chain fragments for 1-bromoheptane, resembling an electron impact mass spectrum. The ethyl, propyl and butyl substituents of ethylated TBuSnCl and TPrSnCl were clearly identified as fragments in the mass spectra. Chromatographic retention time and mass spectral matches with ethylated organotin standards were obtained for the TBuSnCl component of the certified reference material NIES-11.