Analysis of saturated hydrocarbons by using chemical ionization combined with laser-induced acoustic desorption/Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry

Laser-induced acoustic desorption (LIAD), combined with chemical ionization by the cyclopentadienyl cobalt radical cation (CpCo.+), is demonstrated to facilitate the analysis of saturated hydrocarbons by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. The LLAD/CpCo.+ method produces unique pseudomolecular ions for alkanes from C24H50 to C50H102. These alkanes were tested individually and in artificial mixtures of up to seven components. Only one product ion, [R + CpCo - 2H(2)](.+), was detected for each alkane (R). The product ions' relative abundances correspond to the relative molar concentration of each alkane in mixtures. These findings provide a solid groundwork for the future application of this method for hydrocarbon polymer analyses.