title: Electron impact mass spectrometry of BHT and its alteration products.
abstract: The electron impact (EI) mass spectra of 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol (BHT) and certain of its alteration products are described in detail. Accurate mass measurements confirm the elemental compositions of important fragment ions in the EI spectra. Collisionally activated mass spectra are also used to study fragmentation and suggest common ion structures. The reference spectra provide the basis for identifying various alteration products of BHT by capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) without the necessity of isolating individual components. Application of GC/MS is made to three studies: (i) pyrolysis of hydroperoxy-BHT as a potential pathway to alteration products in food; (ii) GC/MS pyrolysis of hydroperoxy-BHT as a model study; and (iii) alteration of BHT in ethanol/water as a food-simulating solvent.
authors.affiliation: US Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory, Las Vegas, Nevada 89193.
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Brumley
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Warner
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Daniels
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Varner
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Sphon
mesh_terms: D002084:Butylated Hydroxytoluene / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis*; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D013058:Mass Spectrometry
chemical_list: D002084:Butylated Hydroxytoluene