title: Packed capillary liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry of snow contaminated with sarin.
abstract: Packed capillary liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS) was used for the analysis of a snow sample that was accidentally contaminated with an organophosphorus chemical warfare agent during the destruction of a chemical munition. Sarin, its hydrolysis products and a number of related compounds were identified on the basis of acquired LC-ESI-MS data. Full mass spectra were acquired for 14 compounds, with all exhibiting MH+, [MH+ACN]+ ions and/or protonated dimers that could be used to confirm molecular mass. Sampling cone voltages from 20 to 70 V were utilized with the higher sampling voltages enhancing formation of structurally important product ions in the ESI interface. All data were acquired with a time-of-flight mass spectrometer with a resolution of 5,000 (50% valley definition), a resolution that aided in the assignment of elemental composition of the observed ions. The application of LC-ESI-MS to snow analysis appears to be an attractive alternative to the GC-MS methods, since both chemical warfare agents and their hydrolysis products may be analysed directly, eliminating the need for additional sample handling and derivatization steps.
authors: Defence Research Establishment Suffield, Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. paul.dagostino@dres.dnd.ca
authors: P A
authors: PA
authors: D'Agostino
authors: C L
authors: CL
authors: Chenier
authors: J R
authors: JR
authors: Hancock
mesh_terms: D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents / Q000032:analysis*; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid / Q000379:methods*; D012524:Sarin / Q000032:analysis*; D012914:Snow; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents; D012524:Sarin