Secondary-ion mass spectra and fast-atom-bombardment mass spectra of liquid polymers: alkoxylated pyrazoles and hydrazines

Abstract

The positive-ion secondary-ion mass (s.i.m.) spectra of polyalkoxylated hydrazines and pyrazoles contain series of ions that reflect the degree of polymerization of the parent compound, and also suggest the presence of several discrete polymeric series. The spectra of two examples of pyrazoles are interpreted in terms of a series of polymeric (M + H) + ions. Three alkoxylated hydrazines yield particle-bombardment spectra which contain polymeric ion series that extend to the mass limit of the analyzer. Positive-ion fast-atom-bombardment mass spectra are also recorded. These spectra also reflect the polymeric structures of the compounds studied, and are similar in almost every detail to the s.i.m. spectra, despite a difference in primary beam parameters and the use of a sector rather than a quadrupole mass analyzer. The liquid compounds are processed as neat samples on a direct-insertion probe for the production of both secondary-ion and fast-atom-bombardment mass spectra, and provide stable, long-lasting secondary-ion signals even under high fluxes of primary particles.