Mass spectrometry as a tool for characterization of N,N-dialkylaminoethane-2-thiols--precursors and degradation products of chemical warfare agents.
N,N-dialkylaminoethane-2-thiols belong to the group of precursors and degradation products of chemical warfare agents (CWAs). These compounds were analyzed by means of electrospray ionization-multiple stage mass spectrometry (ion trap) and proposed fragments were confirmed by accurate mass measurement using a QqTOF system. The fragmentation pathways of studied compounds and the products of oxidation (formation of -S-S- linkage) were described. Some minor interesting processes, such as rearrangement of SH group, were observed and proved. A new microLC/MS method, based on ion-pairing chromatography, was developed. Trifluoroacetic acid was employed as an ion-pairing agent to increase the low retention of compounds of interest in the reverse-phase system. The technique was compared with the UPLC/MS method, allowing fast analysis of all the studied thiols as well as an explorative control of originated disulfides.
Faculty of Science, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Palacký University, Trída Svobody 8, 771 46 Olomouc, Czech Republic.
Barbora
B
Papousková
Petr
P
Bednár
Jakub
J
Stýskala
Jan
J
Hlavác
Petr
P
Barták
Karel
K
Lemr
D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D004220:Disulfides / Q000737:chemistry; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*
D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents; D004220:Disulfides; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds