Laser Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry of PAH-Picrate Complexes

The laser desorption/laser ionization time-of-flight (L2ToF), mass spectra of anthracene and the anthracene-picric acid charge transfer (C-T) complex have been compared at a desorption and ionization wavelength of 266 nm. Laser desorption/ionization spectra of anthracene were obtained at low temperatures (-30°C) to minimize the interference from gas phase ionization. Positive ion mass spectra of the picrate C-T complex at room temperature comprise the parent ion of anthracene and were devoid of signals associated with the picric acid component. The L2ToF analyses of a mixture of volatile and involatile EPA priority PAHs in picric acid show that low molecular weight PAHs form involatile charge transfer complexes. The present method reduces the possibility of volatile PAH loss during mass spectrometric analyses in vacuo.