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Pitfalls in Using Isotopic Distributions for Structural Interpretation by Mass Spectrometry
1Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States.
Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry
|February 7, 2024
Summary
Commercial tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane may have significantly reduced levels of the boron-10 isotope. This isotopic variation, confirmed by ICP-MS, impacts its natural abundance and potential applications.
Area of Science:
- Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Nuclear Engineering
Background:
- Commercial organic compounds typically maintain natural isotopic abundance ratios.
- Tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane, B(C6F5)3, is a useful chemical reagent.
- The boron-10 (10B) isotope is critical for nuclear power control rods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the isotopic composition of boron in commercially sourced tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane.
- To identify variations in boron-10 (10B) and boron-11 (11B) isotopic abundances.
- To alert researchers and industry professionals to potential isotopic discrepancies.
Main Methods:
- Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was employed for isotopic analysis.
- Comparison of isotopic abundances across different commercial lots of B(C6F5)3.
- Analysis of boron isotopic ratios in tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane samples.
Main Results:
- Some commercial samples of B(C6F5)3 exhibited severely depleted levels of the boron-10 (10B) isotope.
- Isotopic depletion varied significantly between different suppliers and even lot-to-lot.
- Other commercial samples displayed natural isotopic abundances of boron.
Conclusions:
- The assumption of natural isotopic abundance in commercial organic compounds is not universally valid for B(C6F5)3.
- Potential source of 11B-rich raw material is residual boron from 10B-enriched boron carbide production for nuclear applications.
- Researchers and industrial users should verify the isotopic composition of B(C6F5)3 for critical applications.
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