Packed capillary liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry of snow contaminated with sarin

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.