Gas chromatography/combustion/isotope ratio mass spectrometric analysis of the stable carbon composition of tetrols.
The stable carbon isotope compositions of tetrols, erythritol and threitol were determined by gas chromatography/combustion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC/C/IRMS). Using four tetrols with various delta(13)C values derivatized by methylboronic acid, the carbon isotope analysis method achieved excellent reproducibility and high accuracy. There was no carbon isotopic fractionation during the derivatization processes. The differences in the carbon isotopic compositions of methylboronates between the measured and calculated ranged from -0.20 to 0.12 per thousand, within the specification of the GC/C/IRMS system. It was demonstrated that delta(13)C values of tetrols could be calculated by a simple mass balance equation between tetrols, methylboronic acid, and methylboronates. The analogous 2-methyltetrols, marker compounds of photooxidation products of atmospheric isoprene, should have similar behavior using the same derivatization reagent. This method may provide insight on sources and sinks of atmospheric isoprene.
Wang
Wu
W
Institute of Environmental Pollution and Health, Shanghai University, 200444 Shanghai, PR China. wangwu@shu.edu.cn
Li
Li
L
Li
Huaijian
H
Zhang
Dongping
D
Wen
Shen
S
Jia
Wanglu
W
Wang
Bangjin
B
Sheng
Guo ying
Gy
Fu
Jiamo
J
D002247:Carbon Isotopes / Q000737:chemistry*; D002849:Chromatography, Gas / Q000379:methods*; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D013402:Sugar Alcohols / Q000737:chemistry*
D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D013402:Sugar Alcohols