Detection of aqueous phase chemical warfare agent degradation products by negative mode ion mobility time-of-flight mass spectrometry [IM(tof)MS].

The use of negative ion monitoring mode with an atmospheric pressure ion mobility orthogonal reflector time-of-flight mass spectrometer [IM(tof)MS] to detect chemical warfare agent (CWA) degradation products from aqueous phase samples has been determined. Aqueous phase sampling used a traditional electrospray ionization (ESI) source for sample introduction and ionization. Certified reference materials (CRM) of CWA degradation products for the detection of Schedule 1, 2, or 3 toxic chemicals or their precursors as defined by the chemical warfare convention (CWC) treaty verification were used in this study. A mixture of six G-series nerve related CWA degradation products (EMPA, IMPA, EHEP, IHEP, CHMPA, and PMPA) and their related collision induced dissociation (CID) fragment ions (MPA and EPA) were found in each case to be clearly resolved and detected using the IM(tof)MS instrument in negative ion monitoring mode. Corresponding ions, masses, drift times, K(o) values, and signal intensities for each of the CWA degradation products are reported.

Detection of a chemical warfare agent simulant in various aerosol matrixes by ion mobility time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

For the first time, a traditional radioactive nickel (63Ni) beta emission ionization source for ion mobility spectrometry was employed with an atmospheric pressure ion mobility orthogonal reflector time-of-flight mass spectrometer (IM(tof)MS) to detect a chemical warfare agent (CWA) simulant from aerosol samples. Aerosol-phase sampling employed a quartz cyclonic chamber for sample introduction. The simulant reference material, which closely mimicked the characteristic chemical structure of CWAs as defined and described by Schedule 1, 2, or 3 of the Chemical Warfare Convention treaty verification, was used in this study. An overall elevation in arbitrary signal intensity of approximately 1.0 orders of magnitude was obtained by the progressive increase of the thermal AP-IMS temperature from 75 to 275 degrees C. A mixture of one G-type nerve simulant (dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP)) in four (water, kerosene, gasoline, diesel) matrixes was found in each case (AP-IMS temperature 75-275 degrees C) to be clearly resolved in less than 2.20 x 10(4) micros using the IM(tof)MS instrument. Corresponding ions, masses, drift times, K(o) values, and arbitrary signal intensities for each of the sample matrixes are reported for the CWA simulant DMMP.