Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 1, 2026

Untargeted Metabolomics from Biological Sources Using Ultraperformance Liquid Chromatography-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-HRMS)
Published on: May 20, 2013
Structure Elucidation of 2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazone Derivatives of Carbonyl Compounds in Ambient Air by HPLC/MS and
1Organic Analytical Chemistry, University of Basle, Neuhausstrasse 31, CH-4057 Basle, Switzerland.
Abstract:
Ion trap multiple fragmentation mass spectrometry (MS(n)()) combined with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) has been used for the structure elucidation and identification of 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone derivatives of carbonyl compounds in ambient air samples. Atmospheric pressure chemical ionization in the negative ion mode was the most suitable detection method. Different measures are described to decrease the MS background originating from the HPLC system. Low-picogram quantities were detectable in extracted mass chromatograms generated from full-scan records. Fragment ions produced by MS/MS allowed identification of substructures of the carbonyls. Detailed fragmentation paths were studied by MS(3) to MS(4) using reference compounds. A fragmentation scheme was established which enabled a structure confirmation and identification with 1-10 ng by HPLC/MS/MS. The identification of a compound coeluting with n-pentanal-DNPH and of a dimerization byproduct are given as examples.
Related Concept Videos
NMR Spectroscopy and Mass Spectrometry of Aldehydes and Ketones
Mass Spectrometry: Complex Analysis
GC–MS is a powerful hyphenated method commonly used in forensics and environmental...
High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS)
Chemical Ionization (CI) Mass Spectrometry
Mass Spectrum: Interpretation
NMR and Mass Spectroscopy of Carboxylic Acids
While α protons of carboxylic acids absorb at 2–2.5 ppm, β protons absorb further upfield.
Carboxylic acids are easily identified by dissolving them in deuterium oxide, which results in a rapid exchange of the acidic protons with deuterium. This leads to the disappearance of the acidic...
