1

Chapter 7

Mass Spectrometry

2

Advantages of Atomic MS over

Atomic Optical Spectroscopy Detection limits up to three times better

Simple spectra, unique and easily interpretable

Ability to measure atomic isotopic ratios

Disadvantages Instrument costs 2-3x optical spectroscopy

Drift up to 5-10% per hour

Interferences

3

Basic Principles of the MS

• It is based on converting the sample (neutral components) into rapidly moving gaseous ions (+ve or –ve ions)

• Ions are then separated on the basis of mass/charge (m/e) ratio (separation in optical spectroscopy was based upon dispersing wavelengths using a monochromator)

• Since most ions are singly charged the more convenient term, mass, is used

• Counting the number of ions of each type or measuring the ion current produced when the ions formed from the sample strike a suitable transducer.

4

5

Uses of Mass Spectrometry

Mass spectroscopy provides information about:

• the elemental composition of samples of matter

• the structures o f inorganic, organic, and biological molecules

• the qualitative and quantitative composition of complex mixtures

• the structure and composition of solid surfaces

• the isotopic ratios of atoms in samples.

• data easier to interpret than IR and/or NMR

• accurate MW of sample

6

Atomic Weights in Mass Spectrometry

• Atomic and molecular weights are generally expressed in terms of atomic mass units (amu),or dalton.

• The atomic mass unit, or dalton, is based upon a relative scale in which the reference is the carbon-12 isotope which is assigned a mass of exactly 12 amu.

• Thus, the amu, or Da, is defined as 1/12 of the mass of one neutral C-12 atom.

• This definition makes 1 amu, or 1 Da, of carbon equal to

7

• The atomic weight of an isotope such as Cl-35 is then related to that of the reference C-12 atom by comparing the masses of the two isotopes.

• Such a comparison reveals that the chlorine-35 isotope has a mass that is 2.91407 times greater than the mass of the carbon iso­tope.

• Therefore, the atomic mass of the chlorine isotope is

atomic mass CI-35 = 12.0000 Da X 2.91407 = 34.9688 Da

• Because 1 mol of C-12 weighs 12.0000 g, the atomic weight CI-35 is 34.9688 g/mol.

• In mass spectrometry, in contrast to most types of chemistry, we are often interested in the exact mass of particular isotopes of an element or the exact mass of compounds containing a particular set of isotopes .

8

9

• In other contexts, we shall use the term nominal mass, which implies a whole-number precision in a mass measurement.

• Thus, the nominal masses of the three isomers just cited are 16, 17, and 17 Da, respectively.

• The chemical atomic weight or the average atomic weight (A) of an element in nature is given by the equation

A = A1p1 + A2p2 + .......+ Anpn

where A1, A2, ...... An are the atomic masses in Daltons of the n isotopes of the element and p1, p2 ...... pn are the fractional abundance of these isotopes.

10

• The average or chemical molecular

weight of a compound is then the sum

of the chemical atomic weights for the

atoms appearing in the formula of the

compound.

• Thus, the chemical molecular weight of

CH4 is

12.01115 + 4 X 1.00797 = 16.0434 Da

11

History of Mass Spectrometry (MS) Instrumentation

1897- Sir J.J. Thompson, electron, parabola spectrograph, m/z of ions. 1906 Nobel

1906-1922- Francis W. Aston, MS based mass resolution, velocity. 1922 Nobel

1920- A.J. Dempster, (Chicago) magnetic deflector instrument, direction focusing,

commercial format still used today. Developed first electron impact source

1940s- Magnetic deflector instrument (Model 21-101) analytical MS manufactured by

Consolidated Engineering Corporation (Pasadena, CA), used in WWII for quantitative

analysis of organic gas mixtures in petroleum

1940s- Prof. Alfred O.C.Nier (Minnesota) developed the magnetic sector MS used for

separation of U-235 and U-238. Nier used MS to isolate plutonium. The Calutron was

used to separate U-235 at Oak Ridge, TN, for bombs.

1950s-Prof Mattauch-Herzog (Austria), and also Nier-Johnson (MN), developed high

resolution double focusing instruments (direction and velocity).

1990s-Dempster, Mattauch-Herzog and Nier-Johnson dominated MS with development

time-of-flight, quadruple, ion traps.

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13

TOF MS designed, ions separated by differences in their velocity as they

move in straight path to a collector in order of increasing m/z. TOF is fast, chrom.

detection, good for large molecules

-1950s- Quadruple instruments use quadrupolar electrical field (radiofrequency/direct

current components), introduced by Prof Wolfgang Paul (Bonn).

-Commercially introduced in 1983 by Finnigan (San Jose, CA)

-Tandem MS- (MS-MS), precursor ion is mass-selected, fragmented by collision induced

dissociation (CID) followed by mass analyses of product ions. Tandem MS triple-stage

quadrupoles introduced by Finnigan and Sciex (`1980s)

-Ability to study large biomolecules enhanced by electrospray ionization (ESI-MS) and

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization MS (MALDI MS)

-ESI-MS, charged droplets from a capillary, electric field and ions drawn into MS inlet

Put into practice in 1980s by John B Fenn (VCU, Richmond)

-MALDI-MS-molecules are laser-desorbed from a solid or liquid matrix

-APCI-MS-

•Useful for sophisticated biomedical analysis, sequencing of peptides and proteins,

studies of noncovalent complexes/immunological molecules; DNA sequencing;

analyses of viruses.

14

Components of Mass Spec

Inlet

System

Ion

Source

Mass

Analyzer Detector

Sample

Signal

Processor

Readout

10-5 - 10-8 torr

Vacuum

System

15

16

Components of Mass Spectrometer

17

GC-

18

Molecular Mass Spectrum of Ethyl Benzene

19

Molecular Mass Spectra

The analyte is ethyl benzene, which has a nominal molecular mass of 106 D

C6H5CH2CH3 + e- C6H5CH2CH3

*+ + 2e-

The collision between energetic electrons and molecules usually imparts enough energy to the molecules to leave them in an excited state.

Relaxation occurs by fragmentation of part of the molecular ions to produce ions of lower masses: C6H5CH2

+. Other smaller positively charged

fragments are also formed in lesser amounts.

The largest peak, is the base peak. It is assigned a value of 100. Other peaks can be computed as a percentage of the base-peak height.

20

194

67 109

55

82

42

165 136 94

40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200

Mass (amu)

Mass Spectrum

N

C

C

N H

C

O

C

O

N

N

C H

C 3 H

C 3 H

Mass Spectrometer

Molecular Mass Spectra

Typical sample: isolated compound (~1 nanogram)

21

Inlet Systems

• The purpose of the inlet system is to permit introduction of a

representative sample into the ion source with minimal loss of

vacuum.

• Most modern mass spectrometers are equipped with several types of

inlets to accommodate various kinds of samples

• The system must be able to vaporize molecules of low vapor pressure

such as high molecular weight organic and organometallic compounds

• The inlet operates at low vapor pressure (10-4-10-7 torr) and high temp.

(up to 300 oC)

• The system must be leak-tight high temp vacuum system

22

Types of inlet systems

• batch inlet: 1-5 L surge tank: for gases and volatile

liquids

• direct probe inlet: non-volatile liquids

• gas chromatographic inlet systems

• permeable porous material to release carrier gas

• capillary electrophoretic systems

23

Batch Inlet Systems

• Sample is volatilized externally and

then allowed to leak into the evacuated

ionization region.

• Typical system that is applicable to

gaseous and liquid samples having

boiling points up to about 500°C is

shown

24

Sample is maintained as gas under low P and high T

Batch-inlet system

10-100g

is volatilized externally

Gaseous sample

Leaks into

ionization area

Metal or glass diaphragm

containing a pinhole

Rate of effusion square root of MW

Lower MW molecules pass faster

25

Gas/Liquid Inlet System Batch Inlet System

For gas samples

The inlet system is used to introduce a micro amount of sample

into the ion source where the components of the sample are

converted into gaseous ions

26

Batch Inlet System

27

Features of Batch Inlet Systems

• For gaseous samples, a small measured volume of gas is trapped between the two valves enclosing the metering area and is then expanded into the reservoir flask.

• For liquids, a small quantity of sample is introduced into a reservoir, usually with a microliter syringe.

• In either case, the vacuum system is used to achieve a sample pressure of 10-4 to l0-5 torr.

• For samples with boiling points greater than 150°C, the reservoir and tubing must be maintained at an elevated temperature by means of an oven and heating tapes. The maximum temperature of the oven is about 350°C. This maximum limits the system to liquids with boiling points below about 500°C.

• The sample, which is now in the gas phase, is leaked into the ionization area of the spectrometer via a metal or glass diaphragm containing one or more pinholes.

• The inlet system is often lined with glass to avoid losses of polar analytes by adsorption.

28

The Direct Probe Inlet

• For solids and nonvolatile liquids ; thermally

sensitive samples; sample quantity is limited.

• Solids and nonvolatile liquids can be introduced into the ionization region by means of a sample holder, or probe, which is inserted through a vacuum lock

• The lock system is designed to limit the volume of air that must be pumped from the system after insertion of the probe into the ionization region.

• Probes are also used when the quantity of sample is limited (as a few nanograms), because much less sample is wasted than with the batch system.

29

The Direct Probe Inlet

Solid/Matrix Inlet Systems Sample

30

Features of the Direct Probe Inlet • With a probe, the sample is generally held on the

surface of a glass or aluminum capillary tube, a fine wire, or a small cup. The probe is positioned within a few millimeters of the ionization source and the slit leading to the spectrometer.

• The low pressure in the ionization area and the proximity of the sample to the ionization source often make it possible to obtain spectra of thermally unstable compounds before major decomposition has time to occur.

• The low pressure also leads to elevated concentrations of relatively nonvolatile compounds in the ionization area. Thus, the probe permits the study of such nonvolatile materials as carbohydrates, steroids, metal organic species, and low-molecular-weight polymeric substances.

31

32

33

34 Jet-separator interface connecting GC and MS

He diffusion is much faster than

other components, thus it is

Preferentially pumped away

Jet assembly is contained in an oven

At a temp. >column temp. To prevent adsorption or

decomposition of sample molecules

as with hot metals

35

36

37

38

39

40

41

42

43 • Appreciable air pressure would cause filament (ionization

source) failiur

44

45

46

Ion Sources

47

Ion Sources

• The appearance of mass spectra for a given molecular species is highly dependent upon the method used for ion formation.

Two types of ion sources

gas phase sources: the sample is first vaporized and then ionized

Gas-phase sources are restricted to thermally stable compounds that have boiling points less than about 500°C. This limits gaseous sources to compounds with molecular weights less than roughly l000 dalton

desorption sources: the sample is directly converted into gaseous ions

Desorption sources are applicable to nonvolatile and thermally unstable samples. Applicable to analytes having molecular weights as large as 103 Daltons.

• Currently, commercial mass spectrometers are equipped with accessories that permit use of several of these sources interchangeably.

48

Features of Ion Sources

• Ion sources are also classified as being hard sources or soft sources.

Hard sources impart sufficient energy to analyte molecules so that they are left in a highly excited energy state. Relaxation then involves rupture of bonds, producing fragment ions that have mass-to-charge ratios less than that of the molecular ion.

The many peaks in a hard source spectrum provide useful information about the kinds of functional groups and thus structural information about analytes.

Soft sources cause little fragmentation. Consequently, the resulting mass spectrum consists of the molecular ion peak and only a few, if any other peaks.

Soft source spectra are useful because they supply accurate information about the molecular weight of the analyte molecule or molecules

49

MS with “Hard” and “Soft” Sources

50

Techniques used for

51

Ion Sources for Mass Spectrometers

52

The Electron-Impact Source

• The sample is brought to a temperature high enough

to produce a molecular vapor which is then ionized

by bombarding the resulting molecules with a beam

of energetic electrons. Thus electrons will be

dislodged from the sample molecules

• Despite certain disadvantages, this technique is still

of major importance and is the one upon which

many libraries of mass spectral data are based.

• M + e- M+ + 2e-

M1+ M3

+

M+

M2+ M4

+

Fragmentation

Lower mass ions

53

Electron Impact Ionization Process M + e- -----> M+ + 2e-

where M+ = molecular ion

M+

– reults from removing an electron from a molecule Molecular Ions:

(M+1)+

– results from one atom/molecular of C-13 or H-2

(M+2)+

– small for most organics because it requires two heavy atoms/molecule

• 1 C-13 and 1 H-2; 2 C-13s; 2 H-2s

– sizeable for chlorinated or brominated compounds

Peaks for collision products: function of concentration (pressure)

– stability of the molecular ion

• stabilized by p e- systems, cyclic

base peak

– highest peak

– peak height against which all others are measured for use in peak tables

54

55

56

57

58

Passes

59

60

61

It repels ions formed in the source

and direct them to exit slit (ion gun)

Electron beam is collected here

1/1000 of

neutral

molecules

is ionized

Ion gun

Area.

Acceleratio

n to the

analyzer

62

Electron Impact Source

63

~70 Volts

+

_

+

_

e- e- e-

+ + + +

+ +

_

Electron Collector (Trap)

Repeller

Extraction Plate

Filament

to Analyzer

Inlet

Electrons

Neutral Molecules

Positive Ions

Electron Impact Ionization Source

64

Typical Reactions during Electron

Impact

65

66

67

68

Electron Impact Spectra

69

Isotope Peaks

Mass spectra show peaks that occur at masses greater than that of the molecular ion. These peaks are attributable to ions having the same chemical formula, but different isotopic compositions.

Methylene chloride, the more important isotopic species are:

• 12C1H235Cl2 (84) ;

13C1H235Cl2 (85);

12C1H237Cl2 (86);

13C1H237Cl2 (87); 13C1H2

35Cl37Cl (88)

The size of the various peaks depends upon the relative natural abundance of the isotopes.

Isotope peaks sometimes provide a useful means for determining the formula for a compound

70

Collision Product Peaks

Ion/molecule collisions can produce

peaks at higher mass numbers than that of the molecular ion.

At ordinary sample pressures, the only important reaction of this type is one in which the collision transfers a hydrogen atom to the ion to give a protonated molecular ion; an enhanced (M + 1) peak results.

71

Advantages and Disadvantages of Electron-Impact Sources

Convenient to use and produce high ion currents, thus

giving good sensitivities

Unambiguous identification of analytes due to the extensive fragmentation and consequent large number of peaks

As a disadvantage, the possibility of disappearance of the molecular ion peak so that the molecular weight of analytes cannot be established.

The need to volatilize the sample, results in thermal degradation of some analytes before ionization can occur.

As a solution, volatilization from a heated probe located close to the entrance slit of the spectrometer.

At the lower pressure of the source area, volatilization occurs at a low temperature.

Electron-impact sources are only applicable to analytes having molecular weights smaller than 1000 daltons.

72

Spark Source: SSMS

• Sparks similar to those in emission spectroscopy

• Ions are produced by applying a pulsed radio frequency voltage of about 30 kV to a pair of electrodes (analyte itself or graphite) mounted directly behind the ion gun that is about where the electron beam is located in an electron impact source

• Ions produced are accelerated through the ion gun and then mass analyzed

• Used for nonvolatile inorganic samples: metal alloys

• Good for solid samples and trace (1 ppb) analysis where 60 elements were determined simultaneously

73

74

Features of Chemical Ionization Sources and Spectra

Gentler ionization that leads to enhancement of the abundance of ions containing information on molecular weight and initial fragmentation

Most modern mass spectrometers are designed so that electron-impact ionization and chemical ionization can be carried out interchangeably.

Gaseous molecules of the sample (from either a batch inlet or a heated probe) are ionized by collision with ions produced by electron bombardment of an excess of a reagent gas CH4,(Ion-molecule reactions).

It is associated with a transfer of proton H+ or abstracting a hydride ion H- or an electron

Usually positive ions are used, but negative ion chemical ionization is occasionally used with analytes that contain very electronegative atoms.

In order to carry out chemical ionization experiments, it is necessary to modify the electron beam ionization area by adding vacuum pump capacity and by reducing the width of the slit to the mass analyzer.

75

These measures allow a reagent pressure of about 1 torr to be maintained in the ionization area while maintaining the pressure in the analyzer below 10-5 torr.

With these changes, a gaseous reagent is introduced into the ionization region in an amount such that the concentration ratio of reagent to sample is 103 to 104

Because of this large concentration difference, the electron beam reacts nearly exclusively with reagent molecule

Most modern mass spectrometers are designed so that electron-impact ionization and chemical ionization can be carried out interchangeably.

CH4 is the most common reagent used. It reacts with high-energy electrons to give several ions such as CH4

+, CH3+ and

CH2+. The first two predominate and represent about 90% of the

reaction products. These ions react rapidly with additional methane molecules as follows

CH4+ + CH4 CH5

+ + CH3

CH3+ + CH4 C2H5

+ + H2

76

77

Generally, collisions between the sample molecule MH and CH5

+ or C2H5+ are highly reactive and involve proton or hydride

transfer.

CH5+ + MH MH2

+ + CH4 Proton transfer

C2H5+ + MH MH2

+ + C2H4 Proton transfer

C2H5+ + MH M+ + C2H6

Hydride transfer

Note that proton transfer reactions give the (M +1)+ ion whereas the hydride transfer produces (M - l)+ ion

With some compounds (M + 29)+ peak is also produced from transfer of a C2H5

+ ion to the analyte.

Propane, isobutane and ammonia are also used for chemical ionization.

78

79

Chemical Ionization MS Sources

High Energy electrons

Sample Molecule MH

CH4

CH4 CH4+

CH3+ CH2

+

25243

3544

HHCCHCH

CHCHCHCH

6252

42252

425

HCMMHHC

HCMHMHHC

CHMHMHCH

Molecule Ions

80

81

82

83

Field Ionization /Field Desorption Sources

• Apply large electric fields to carbon dendrites on a tungsten wire

• Field Ionization – gas is passed over ionization source

Metallic anode; cathode acts as slit; 5 to 20 kv potential applied; produces mainly M and M+1 peaks

• Field Desorption – dipped in solution containing sample and placed back in spectrometer

84

Field Ionization Sources and Spectra

• Ions are formed under the influence of a large electric field (108 V/cm).

• Such fields are produced by applying high voltages (10 to 20 kV) to specially formed emitters consisting of numerous fine tips having diameters of less than I micro meter.

• The emitter often takes the form of a fine tungsten wire ( l0 micrometer diameter) on which microscopic carbon dendrites, or whiskers, have been grown by the pyrolysis of benzonitrile in a high electric field.

• The result of this treatment is a growth of many hundreds of carbon microtips projecting from the surface of the wire. Field ionization emitters are mounted 0.5 to 2 mm from the cathode, which often also serves as a slit.

85

The gaseous sample from a batch inlet system is allowed to diffuse into the high-field area around the microtips of the anode.

The electric field is concentrated at the emitter tips, and ionization occurs via a quantum mechanical tunneling mechanism in which electrons from the analyte are extracted by the microtips of the anode. The +ve ions are repelled from the anode

The +ve sample ions are extracted from the ionic chamber and accelerated through slits

Little vibrational or rotational energy is imparted to the analyte (due to thermal decomposition or collisional reactions between molecules and ionic species); thus, little fragmentation occurs.

Protonic transfer yields (M+1)+ or (M-1)+ species

86

87

Field Ionization Source

Field Ionization or

Field Desorption Source

(used as anode)

88

Electron Impact (EI)

Field Ionization

Field Desorption

Glutamic Acid

89

90

Desorption Sources

• Mass spectra for thermally delicate biochemical species and species having molecular weights of greater than 100,000 Da have been reported.

• Energy in various forms is introduced into the solid or liquid sample in such a way as to cause direct formation of gaseous ions.

• As a consequence, spectra are greatly simplified and often consist of only the molecular ion or the protonated molecular ion.

• Various types of desorption ionization will be discussed

91

1. Field Desorption Sources

In field desorption, a multitipped emitter similar to that used in field ionization sources.

In this case, the electrode is mounted on a probe that can be removed from the sample compartment and coated with a solution of the sample.

After the probe is reinserted into the sample compartment, ionization again takes place by the application of a high potential to this electrode.

With some samples it is necessary to heat the emitter by passing a current through the wire. As a consequence, thermal degradation may occur before ionization is complete.

Field desorption spectrum for glutamic acid is shown previously. It is even simpler than the spectrum from field ionization and consists of only the protonated molecular ion peak at mass 148 and an isotope peak at mass 149.

92

2. Features of Matrix-Assisted Laser

Desorption/Ionization (MALDI)

• Used for accurate molecular weight information about polar

biopolymers ranging in a molecular mass from a few thousand to several hundred thousand dalton.

• In one of the practices: an aqueous/alcohol solution of the sample was mixed with a large excess of a radiation-absorbing matrix material (for example, nicotinic acid, of usable wavelengths at 266, 220-290 nm

• The resulting solution was evaporated on the surface of a metallic probe that was used for introduction of the sample into the mass spectrometer.

• The solid mixture was then exposed to a pulsed laser beam, which resulted in sublimation of the analyte as ions were drawn into a time-of-flight spectrometer for mass analysis.

• A typical MS spectrum is shown

93

MALDI Spectrum from a nicotinic acid matrix irradiated with 266-nm Laser beam

94

Solid Matrix Materials for MALDI

95

MALDI Source

Solid Matrix

Containing analyte

LASER Beam

96

3. Electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry (ESI/MS)

• It is important for analyzing biornolecules, such as

polypeptides, proteins, and oligonucleotides having molecular weights of 100,000 Da or more.

• This method is beginning to find applications to the characterization of inorganic species and synthetic polymers.

• Electrospray ionization takes place under atmospheric pressures and temperatures

• A solution of the sample is pumped through a stainless steel capillary needle at a rate of a few microliters per minute.

• The needle is maintained at several kilovolts with respect to a cylindrical electrode that surrounds the needle.

• The resulting charged spray of fine droplets then passes through a desolvating capillary, where evaporation of the solvent and attachment of charge to the analyte molecules take place.

• As the droplets become smaller as a consequence of evaporation of the solvent, their charge density becomes greater and desorption of ions into the ambient gas occurs.

• Little fragmentation of large and thermally fragile biomolecules occurs.

• Furthermore, the ions formed are multiply charged so that their m/z values are small enough to make them detectable with a quadrupole instrument with a range of 1500 or less.

97

Electrospray Ionization Spectrometer

It is readily adapted to direct

sample introduction from

HPLC

desolvating

Charged spray of

Fine droplets

Solvent evaporation and

attachment Of charge to molecules

98 Typical electrospray mass spectra

99

4. Fast atom bombardment (FAB) sources

• Used for polar high-molecular-weight species.

• samples in a condensed state, often in a glycerol solution matrix, are ionized by bombardment with energetic (several keV) xenon or argon atoms.

• Both positive and negative analyte ions are sputtered from the surface of the sample in a desorption process.

• Very rapid sample heating, which reduces sample fragmentation.

• The liquid matrix helps to reduce the lattice energy, which must be overcome to desorb an ion from a condensed phase, and provides a means of "healing" the damage induced by bombardment.

100

• A beam of fast atoms is obtained by passing accelerated argon or xenon ions from an ion source, or gun, through a chamber containing argon or xenon atoms at a pressure of about 10-5 torn

• The high-velocity ions undergo a resonant electron-exchange reaction with the atoms without substantial loss of translational energy. Thus, a beam of energetic atoms is formed.

• The lower energy ions from the exchange are readily removed by an electrostatic deflector.

• Fast atom guns are now available from commercial sources.

• With fast atom bombardment, molecular weights over 10,000 have been determined, and detailed structural information has been obtained for compounds with molecular weights on the order of 3000.

101

Particle-bombardment desorption source

102

Mass Analyzers

103

• Ideally, the mass analyzer should be capable of

distinguishing between minute mass differences.

• Should allow passage of a sufficient number of ions

to yield readily measurable ion currents.

104

105

Resolution of Mass Spectrometers

• Resolution, in MS, refers to the ability of a mass spectrometer to differentiate between masses and is quantitatively defined as

R = m / Dm

Dm is the mass difference between two adjacent peaks that are just resolved

• m is the nominal mass of the first peak (the mean mass of the two peaks is sometimes used instead).

• Two peaks are considered to be separated if the height of the valley between them is no more than a given fraction of their height (often 10%).

• A spectrometer with a resolution of 4000 would resolve peaks occurring at m/z values of 400.0 and 400.1 (or 40.00 and 40.01) .

• A resolution of 500 is sufficient for many applications in organic chemistry

106

1. Magnetic Sector Analyzers

• Magnetic sector analyzers employ a permanent

magnet or electromagnet to cause the beam from the ion source to travel in a circular path of 180, 90, or 60 degrees. Here, ions are formed by electron impact.

• The magnetic field disperses the ions in curved trajectories that depend on m/e of the ion

• Ions of different masses can be scanned across the exit slit by varying the field strength of the magnet or the accelerating potential between the last two slits in the ion source.

• Ions fall on a collector electrode resulting in an ion current

107

108

Magnetic Sector Analyzer

2

1 zeVKE

109

ion trajectory not in register (too heavy)

Ion Source

Detector

ion trajectory not in register

(too light)

ion trajectory in register

S

N

Magnetic Sector Mass Analyzer

Electromagnet

110

Features of Magnetic Sector Analyzers

• The metal analyzer tube is maintained at 10-7 torr

• Ions of different masses can be scanned across the exit slit by varying: The field strength of the magnet, or accelerating potential between slits A and B

• Ions passing through the exit slit fall on a collector electrode resulting in an ion current that is amplified and recorded

• The translational or kinetic energy, KE, of an ion of mass m with a charge z upon exiting the slit of the ion source :

• KE = Vq = zeV = 1/2 mv2

• V is the voltage between A and B, v is the velocity of the ion after acceleration, and e is the electronic charge (e = 1.60x10-19 C)

• ِ All ions with the same number of charges z are assumed to have the same kinetic energy after acceleration regardless of their mass.

• Because all ions leaving the slit have approximately the same kinetic energy, the heavier ions must travel through the magnetic sector at lower velocities.

• The path in the sector described by ions of a given mass and charge represents a balance between two forces acting upon them.

111

The magnetic force FM is given by the relationship : FM = Bzev

where B is the magnetic field strength

The balancing centripetal force Fc is given by: Fc = mv2/r

where r is the radius of curvature of the magnetic sector.

In order for an ion to traverse the circular path to the collector, FM and Fc must be equal, thus,

Bzev = mv2/r , consequently

v = Bzer/m

Since KE = zeV = 1/2mv2

m/z = B2r2e/2V B = gauss, r= cm, m = amu, z = number of charges

Thus mass spectra can be obtained by varying one of the following parameters keeping the other 2 constants:

B or V or r Most modern sector mass spectrometers contain an

electromagnet in which ions are sorted by holding V and r constant while varying the current in the magnet and thus B.

112

Magnetic Sector Physics

2

1 zeVKE

curvature of radius

2

v

vv

F F

vF ForcelCentripeta

vF Force Magnetic

v2

1VKE

22

2

c M

2

c

M

2

r

V

erB

z

m

m

Bzer

r

mBze

r

m

Bze

mze

113

114

Example

115

116

Problems with Single Focusing Magnetic Sector

It is used when the collection of ions exiting the source with the same mass-to-charge ratio but with small diverging (deviation) directional distribution. When R = <2000.

Factors limiting the resolution (i.e., causing divergence):

1. Angular divergence: ions do not experience identical

acceleration potentials consequently not all ions are formed

at the same location in the ion source

2. Spread in the KE of the ion beam as it leaves the ion gun.

Small variations of KE of particles of a given species cause

broadening of the beam reaching the collector

In order to measure atomic and molecular masses with a precision of a few parts per million, it is necessary to design instruments that correct for both the directional distribution and energy distribution of ions leaving the source.

117

The term double focusing is applied to mass spectrometers in which the directional aberrations (deviation from normal) and the energy aberrations of a population of ions are simultaneously minimized.

Double focusing is usually achieved by the use of carefully selected combination of electrostatic and magnetic fields.

A dc potential is applied (+Ve to the outer and –Ve to the inner). This will have the effect of limiting the kinetic energy a the ions reaching the magnetic sector to a closely defined charge range. Ions with energies greater than average strike the upper side of the ESA slit and are lost to ground. Ions with energies less than average strike the lower side of the ESA slit and are thus removed. It focuses only particles of the same KE to the slit.

R (radius of curvature) = 2E/V (E = acceleratin Pot; V = pot. difference between the two plates)

The electrostatic analyzer serves as KE analyzer

Directional focusing in the magnetic sector occurs along the focal plane labeled d in the Figure; energy focusing takes place along the plane labeled e. Thus, only ions of one m/z are double focused at the intersection of d and e for any given accelerating voltage and magnetic field strength.

Double Focusing Mass Spectrometers

118

Double Focusing Mass Spectrometer

Two smooth curved

metallic plates across

which a dc pot is

applied

Dc pot limits the KE of ions

reaching the magnetic

sector to closely defined

range

119

Electrostatic field: Focuses

only particles

Of same KE to slit

Divergent beam

Double Focusing Mass

Spectrometer

A beam emanating from a

single point, source, is

brought to focus at many

points

120

121

122

High Resolution MS

• Resolution as high as 150,000 with mass-measuring accuracy of 0.3 ppm can be achieved with one commercial double-focusing spectrometer, and a resolution of 20,000 to 50,000 is not uncommon.

• Thus, the exact weight of a compound of nominal molecular weight 600 could be measured to approximately ±0.0002 mass unit using the 150,000 resolution instrument.

• This accuracy allows unambiguous assignment of the elemental composition (chemical formula) of the sample ion and consequently of the neutral sample.

• Example: C9H10O2 = 150.0681 (± 0.0003)

• This rules out other samples of nominal mass 150 e.g.:

C5H10O5 ( 150.0528)

C7H6N2O2 ( 150.0429)

C9H14N2 (150.1157)

123

2. Time-of-Flight Analyzers...

• In time-of-flight instruments, positive ions are produced periodically by bombardment of the sample with brief pulses of electrons, secondary ions or laser generated photons.

• The ions produced are then accelerated by an electric field and then made to pass into a field-free drift tube about a meter long.

124

Time- of- Flight Analyzers, TOF

Principle:

• Ions exiting the ionic source have essentially identical KE

• Because the masses of ions differ, the velocities must differ

• If a group of ions that have different masses simultaneously enter the mass analyzer, the heavier ions will have a velocity that is less than that of the lighter atoms

• Consequently the time that is required for an ion to travel a fixed distance in the analyzer through a field-free region varies with the mass of the ion. That is, various ions will have a time-of-flight that is mass dependent

125

126

Features of the Analyzer

A modified electron-impact source will be used in which an electron beam is pulsed through the ionization region for 1 sec at some pre-selected energy (typically 70 eV).

Continuous ionization and acceleration would lead to a continuous output of the detector with overlapping of various masses.

Thus, +ve ions will be produced periodically as a result of bombarding the sample with brief pulses of electrons.

Accelerating voltage (103 to 104 V) is applied for 10-4 sec to draw ions into the flight tube (1 m length).

All powers are then shut off for allowing the ion packet to move unhindered down the flight tube. The electron gun is turned on again for a new packet of ions

The accelerated particles then passed into a field-free drift evacuated tube (about 1 meter) in carefully timed pulses.

127

The tube must be evacuated to a pressure at which ions are unlikely to strike another body between the last accelerating plate and the detector

Lighter ions will strike the detector before heavier ions. Hence the original beam becomes separated into “wafers” of ions according to their masses.

The wafers of ions impact sequentially on the flat cathode of the ion detector

The separation in time of different ions which strike the detector is short (less than 1 sec) thus the electronics of the analyzer must be fast

Potential difference between the last grid and the slit is zero during a measurement

To allow a detector and readout device to measure the intensity of a single ion before another one enters, a repelling potential is placed on the slit after an ion of interest has passed and before ions of next m/z enter.

128

Time-of-Flight MS

129

Time of Flight MS

130

Schematic diagram of a time-of-flight mass spectrometer

131

Schematic diagram of a time-of-flight mass spectrometer

132

133

Calculation of the difference in time (Dt) separating one

ion from another

m= mass of the ion,

E = potential drop between the accelerating electrodes

z= the charge on the ion in coulombs

v= velocity of the ion

zE 2

mv 2

2v

2E

z

m

134

2/1)(m

2vE v

)) 2/1

z

m( k

2Ez

m( d

v

d t

m

1 v

Then,

135

)

1

21

2

v

d

v

d( t t

Ez

m

Ez

m( d t 1

22

2D

tD = )21

v

1

v

1 ( d

)2

2

Ez

mm( d t 1

D

136

Advantages and Disadvantages of

Time-of-Flight Mass Analyzer

Rapid scanning

Useful for kinetic studies of fast reactions

Useful for GC/MS applications

Possible overlap of pulse masses. Insertion

of an energy selector grid before the detector

limits ions that are allowed to reach the

detector to only selected masses

137

3. Quadrupole Mass Analyzers

Features of the Quadrupole Mass Analyzers

• This instrument is more compact, less expensive, and more rugged than most other types of mass spectrometers.

• It also has the advantage of high scan rates so that an entire mass spectrum can be obtained in less than 100 ms.

• The heart of a quadrupole instrument is the four parallel cylindrical rods that serve as electrodes.

• Opposite rods are connected electrically, one pair being attached to the positive side of a variable dc source and the other pair to the negative terminal.

• In addition, variable radiofrequency ac potentials, which are 180-deg out of phase, are applied to each pair of rods.

138

• In order to obtain a mass spectrum with this device, ions are accelerated into the space between the rods by a potential of 5 to 10 V

• Meanwhile, the ac and dc voltages on the rods are increased simultaneously while maintaining their ratio constant.

• At any given moment, all of the ions except those having a certain m/z value strike the rods and are converted to neutral molecules.

• Thus, only ions having a limited range of m/z values reach the transducer.

• Mass range up to 3000-4000 m/z.

• Typically, quadrupole instruments easily resolve ions that differ in mass by one unit. (Mass-filter)

139

Quadrupole Mass AnalyzerFeatures of the

140

141

Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer

Positive

Ions

142

Quadrupole MS

143

144

145

146

147

148

Ion Trajectories in a Quadrupole

• To understand the filtering capability of

a quadrupole, the effect of the dc and

ac potentials on the trajectory of ions

as they pass through the channel

between the rods should be known

149

Quadrupole in “xz” Plane

Positive

Ions

Under AC

influence, ions will

converge

to center of

channel during

positive

cycle, diverge

during negative

cycle.

Momentum

depends on square

root of

mass, so heavier

ions will not

respond

as strongly.

150

In the absence of a dc potential, ions in the channel will tend to converge in the center of the channel during the positive half of the ac cycle and will tend to diverge during the negative half.

If during the negative half cycle an ion strikes the rod, the positive charge will be neutralized, and the resulting molecule will be carried away.

Whether or not a positive ion strikes the rod will depend upon the rate of movement of the ion along the z axis, its mass-to- charge ratio, and the frequency and magnitude of the ac signal.

The accelerated ionic beam from the ionic source passes through a collimating hole that is aligned with the space between the four rods

Diagonally opposite rods are electrically connected

A dc potential difference superimposed by radio frequency ac potential are simultaneously applied between the two groups of rods. The dc electric fields tend to focus the positive ions in the positive plane and defocus them in the negative plane

Positive ions that enter the space between the rods are repelled by the rods that are momentarily positively charged and attracted to the rods that are negatively charged

Because the relative charge on the sets of rods is continuously changing, the ions flow an irregular oscillating path between the rods

151

Only those ions that can pass through strike the exit hole and reach to the detector. Other ions that strike one of the rods are not detected.

It would be more difficult to deflect a heavier ion than to deflect a lighter one. If an ion in the channel is heavy and/or the frequency of the ac potential is large, the ion will not respond significantly to the alternating potential and will be influenced largely by the dc potential. Under these circumstances, the ion will tend to remain in the space between the rods.

In contrast, if the ion is light and/or the frequency is low, the ion may collide with the rod and be eliminated dur­ing the negative excursion of the ac potential.

Now let us turn to the pair of rods that are maintained at a negative dc potential. In the absence of the ac potential, all positive ions will tend to be drawn to the rods, where they are annihilated. For the lighter ions, however, this movement may be offset by the excursion of the ac potential.

In order for an ion to travel through the quadrupole to the detector, it must have a stable trajectory in both the xz and yz planes. Thus, the ion must be sufficiently heavy so that it will not be eliminated by the high mass filter in the xz plane and must be sufficiently light so that it will not be removed by the low-mass filter in the yz plane.

The total quadrupole transmits a band of ions that have a limited range of m/z values.

152

Quadrupole in “xz” and “yz” Planes

High-Pass Filter

Low-Pass Filter

Combined Filter

Quadrupole

acts as

double-filter.

Ion

must be big

enough not to

be filtered in

AC field,

small enough

not to be

filtered

in DC field.

153

Voltages for Scanning a Quadrupole

MS

154

Ion Trap Analyzer

• Variable radio frequency voltage applied to

the ring electrode

• ions of appropriate m/z circulate in stable

orbit

• scan rf, heavier particles stable, lighter

particles collide with ring electrode

• ejected ions detected by transducer as an

ion current

155

Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer

156

157

Ion Traps Quadrupoles

Mass Separation in time Mass Separation in space

High sensitivity Full Scan Lower sensitivity Full Scan

Lower sensitivity SRM High sensitivity SIM and SRM

Offer mutiple stages of MS n No mutiple stages of MS

Offers higher resolution Lower resolution

Parent and neutral loss scans

158

159

160

161

162

163

Electron Multiplier – Most frequently used, similar to photo-

multiplier. Series of Cu/Be coated dynodes, each at successively

higher voltage.

Faraday Cup – Ions strike collector electrode (surrounded by

cage to prevent escape of reflected ions). Collector and cage

connected to ground potential by a large resistor. Potential

drop across resistor amplified by high-impedance amplifier.

Photographic plates

MS Transducers

164

Detectors

• Electron Multipliers: A discrete-dynode

electron multiplier is designed for

detection of positive ions. Each dynode is

held at successively higher voltage and

there is a burst of electrons that is emitted

when struck by energetic electrons or

ions. A continuous-dynode electrons

electron multiplier is a trumpet-shaped

device made of glass that is heavily doped

with lead.

165

Electron Multiplier Detectors

166

Detectors

• The Faraday Cup detector: This detector functions as follows. When positive ions strike the surface of the cathode, electrons move flow from the ground through the resistor to neutralize the charge. The resulting potential drop across the resistor is amplified via a high-impedance amplifier.

167

Faraday Cup Detector

168

169

170

ICPMS

171

Mass Spectrum from ICPMS

172

Applications of MS

173

Identification of Pure Compounds

Molecular weight of the compound and its

molecular formula.

Fragmentation patterns provide information

about the functional groups.

Finally, the actual identity of a compound

can often be established by comparing its

mass spectrum with those of known

compounds until a close match is realized.

174

Molecular Weights from Mass Spectra

This requires identification of the molecular ion peak, or (M + 1) or the (M -1) peak.

The location of the peak on the abscissa then gives the molecular weight with an accuracy that cannot be realized easily by any other method.

Molecular weight requires the knowledge of the identity of the molecular ion peak.

Caution is advisable, with electron-impact sources. Other sources can be used

175

Molecular Formulas from Exact Molecular Weights

the molecular ion peak should be identified and its exact mass determined.

High-resolution instrument capable of detecting mass differences of a few thousandths of a mass units required.

Example: m/z of the molecular ions of the following compounds: purine, C5H4N4 (in = 120.044); benzamidine, C7H8N2 (m = 120.069); ethyltoluene, C9H12 (m = 120.096); and acetophenone, C8H8O (m = 120.058).

If the measured mass of the molecular ion peak is 120.070 (±0.005). then all but C7H8N2 are excluded as possible formulas.

Very high-resolution double-focusing instruments are needed.

Tables that list all reasonable combinations of C, H, N, and 0 by molecular weight to the third or fourth decimal place have been compiled.

176

Molecular Formulas from Isotopic Ratios

The data from a low-resolution instrument that can only discriminate between ions differing in mass by whole mass numbers can yield information about the formula of a compound,

It requires that the molecular ion peak is sufficiently intense that its height and the heights of the (M + I ) and (M + 2) isotope peaks can be determined accurately.

177

Identification of Pure Compounds

Interpretation of Mass Spectra

178

Interpretation of Mass

Spectra • A specific molecule would give a unique

fragmentation pattern that would distinguish it from all other substances. This expectation is often realized, but not always.

• Interpretation requires considerable skill and experience.

• Select a candidate peak for the molecular ion (M+)

• Examine spectrum for peak clusters of characteristic isotopic patterns

• Test (M+) peak candidate by searching for other peaks correspond to reasonable losses

• Look for characteristic low-mass fragment ions

• Compare spectrum to reference spectra

179

Assignment of the Molecular Ion

• Molecular ion has a mass that corresponds to the

molecular mass of the neutral molecule.

• Because one electron has been removed, it is a radical cation, symbolized by M.+ or often just M+.

• Most substances produce a recognizable molecular ion, although there are important exceptions.

• High-molecular-weight hydrocarbons, aliphatic alcohols, ethers, and amines produce only a small number of molecular ions because of extensive fragmentation.

• Polyfunctional compounds such as carbohydrates and polyamines often do not yield a molecular ion upon electron impact.

• Molecules possessing an aromatic ring often give abundant molecular ions, presumably because of their ability to delocalize positive charge.

180

Identification of the molecular ion

• M + should have the highest mass, ignoring isotopic contributions.

• The molecular mass will be an even mass number if it contains an even number (0, 2, 4, . . . ) of nitrogen atoms, and will be an odd mass number otherwise; this is known as the "nitrogen rule."

• Some examples are: benzene, C6H6, M+ = 78; ethanol, C2H5OH,

M+ = 46; cholesterol, C27H46O, M+ = 386; dimethyl hydrazine, CH3NHNHCH3, M

+ = 60; methylamine, CH3NH2, M+ = 31; and

pyridine, C5H5N, M+ = 79.

• No illogical losses should be found. Seldom do organic molecules lose more than four hydrogen atoms, to give (M - 4) fragments.

• The next reasonable fragmentations of molecular ions are losses of a methyl group (M - 15), NH2 or O (M-16),OH or NH3(M-17),H2O(M-18), F (M-19), HF(M-20),and C2H2 (M - 26).

• Thus, if a tentative molecular ion has lost 4 to 14 or 21 to 25 mass units, either the assignment of M+ is incorrect or the spectrum is of a mixture.

181

182

Elemental Composition of the Molecular Ion

• In the spectrum of methane (CH4), a small peak located at m/z = 17 has an intensity 1.1 % that of the M+ peak at m/z = 16.

• The signal at m/z = 17 arises because carbon consists of two naturally occurring stable isotopes: 12C and 13C.

• Assigning the value 100 to the quantity of 12C (an incorrect, but useful, procedure), we find that 13C is 1.1 %. Thus, m/z = 17 in methane is 13CH4

+.

• A molecule that contains six carbon atoms, such as benzene (C6H6), will have M+ at m/z = 78 and 13CC5H6 at m/z = 79, but then the intensity at 79 is 6.6% (1.1 % x 6), because the probability of finding one 13C is six times greater.

183

Use of the natural abundance of 13C to assign

the number of carbon atoms in M+

• For example, if M+ is 100 and (M + 1)+ is 7.7%, M+

contains 7 carbons.

• Often, M+ is not the largest peak in a mass spectrum and therefore is not assigned an intensity of 100 (the largest peak in a spectrum is usually arbitrarily assigned an intensity of 100 and all other peaks are measured relative to this). In this case, a useful formula is

• Number of Carbon Atoms =

• where M + 1 and M are the intensities of the respective peaks.

• This procedure is valid for M+ contains 10 carbon atoms.

011.0/)(M

1 M

184

• A relative error of 10% in the

measurement of M + 1 or impurities in

the spectrum make the number of

carbon atoms at best a maximum rather

than exact number.

• If M+ = 100 and M + 1 = 17.8, the

maximum number of carbon atoms, is

16 (1.1% x 16 = 17.60); although the

molecule may contain 15 carbon atoms,

it cannot contain 17.

185

Elemental Composition of M+ ion from Isotopic Ratio

• The isotopic ratio is useful for the detection and estimation of

the number of sulfur, chlorine, and bromine atoms in a molecule

due to their large contribution to (M+2)+

• For example, an (M + 2)+ that is about 65% of the M+ peak is

strong evidence for a molecule containing two chlorine atoms;

(M + 2)+ peak of 4%, suggests the presence of one atom of sulfur

(S32 and S34).

186

atoms

Most abundant isotope

187

Example Problem

188

189

Isotopic

Abundances

190

Determination of Molecular Formula

distinguish between compounds of

same MW: C5H10O4 or C10H14

C5H10O4 13C 5 * 1.08% = 5.40% 2H 10 * 0.016% = 0.16% 17O 4 * 0.04% = 0.16%

------- 135peak/134peak 5.72%

191

C10H14 13C 10 * 1.08% = 10.8% 2H 14 * 0.016% =0.22%

------- 135peak/134peak 11.0%

192

Nitrogen Rule

• organic compounds with even MW, O

or even (could be zero) number of N

atoms

• odd MW, odd number of nitrogen

atoms

193

Computerized Mass Spectrometers...

• Minicomputers and microprocessors are

integral part of modern mass spectrometers.

The figure below is a block diagram of the

computerized control and data acquisition

system of a triple quadrupole mass

spectrometer.

194

195

• TANDEM MASS SPECTROSCOPY: This type of spectroscopy simply involves the coupling of one mass spectrometer to another and this hyphenated technique has resulted in dramatic progress in the analysis of complex mixtures.

• SECONDARY ION MASS SPECTROSCOPY: This is one of the most highly developed of the mass spectrometric surface methods, with several manufacturers offering instruments for this technique. It involves the bombarding of a surface with a beam of ions formed in an ion gun. The ions generated from the surface layer are then drawn into a spectrometer for mass analysis.

196

MS/MS instrument Schematic of a tandem

quadrupoleMS/MS instrument.

197

Quantitative Determination of Molecular Species

• Mass spectrometry has been widely applied to the quantitative determination of one or more components of complex organic (and sometimes inorganic) systems such as those encountered in the petroleum and pharmaceutical industries and in studies of environmental problems.

• 1. Currently, such analyses are usually per formed by passage of the sample through a chromato graphic or capillary electrophoretic column and into the spectrometer. With the spectrometer set at a suitable m/z value, the ion current is then recorded as a function of time. This technique is termed selected ion monitoring.

• In some instances, currents at three or four m/z values are monitored in a cyclic manner by rapid switching from one peak to another. The plot of the data consists of a series of peaks with each appearing at a time that is characteristic of one of the several components of the sample that yields ions of the chosen value or values for m/z.

• Generally, the areas under the peaks are directly proportional to the component concentrations and thus serve as the analytical parameter. In this type of procedure, the mass spectrometer simply serves as a sophisticated selective detector for quantitative chromatographic or electrophoretic analyses.

• .

198

• 2. Analyte concentrations are obtained directly from the heights of the mass spectral peaks. For simple mixtures, it is sometimes possible to find peaks at unique m/z values for each component. Under these circumstances, calibration curves of peak heights versus concentration can be prepared and used for analysis of unknowns.

• More accurate results can ordinarily be realized, however, by incorporating a fixed amount of an internal standard substance in both samples and calibration standards. The ratio of the peak intensity of the analyte species to that of the internal standard is then plotted as a function of analyte concentration. The internal standard tends to reduce uncertainties arising in sample preparation and introduction.

• With low-resolution instruments, it is seldom possible to locate peaks that are unique to each component of a mixture. In this situation, it is still possible to complete an analysis by collecting intensity data at a number of m/z values that equal or exceed the number of sample components. Simultaneous equations are then developed that relate the intensity of each rn/z value to the contribution made by each component to this intensity. Solving these equations then provides the desired quantitative information.