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Analysis of Complex Molecules and Their Reactions on Surfaces by Means of Cluster-Induced Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry
Published on: March 1, 2020
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Accelerated reactions in field desorption mass spectrometry
Xingshuo Chen1, R Graham Cooks1
1Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.
Journal of Mass Spectrometry : JMS
|June 24, 2018
Summary
Field desorption mass spectrometry enables studying organic reactions in micro-volumes at ambient pressure. This method accelerates reactions and detects unique radical cation products, offering new insights into chemical kinetics.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Physical Chemistry
Background:
- Studying solution-phase organic reactions often requires specialized conditions.
- Micro-volume analysis presents challenges in monitoring reaction kinetics and products.
- Ambient pressure mass spectrometry offers a pathway for simplified reaction analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the feasibility of using field desorption mass spectrometry (FDMS) under ambient conditions for studying organic reactions.
- To explore reaction acceleration effects in micro-volumes using FDMS.
- To characterize reaction products, including radical cations, formed under these conditions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized field desorption mass spectrometry (FDMS) at ambient pressure.
- Applied FDMS to study three distinct organic reactions: hydrazone formation, Katritzky reaction, and Hantzsch synthesis.
- Transferred reagent solutions onto microdendrites of a field emitter for online analysis.
Main Results:
- Observed reaction acceleration in all three investigated reactions compared to bulk conditions.
- Attributed acceleration to solvent evaporation and increased surface-to-volume ratio.
- Detected radical cations and radical cation products, a distinguishing feature compared to nano electrospray ionization.
Conclusions:
- Field desorption mass spectrometry at ambient pressure is a viable technique for studying micro-volume organic reactions.
- The method demonstrates significant reaction acceleration and allows for the detection of unique radical ion species.
- This approach offers a novel way to investigate reaction mechanisms and kinetics in simplified experimental setups.
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