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Analysis of dinitro- and amino-nitro-toluenesulfonic acids in groundwater by solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry

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Abstract

A reversed-phase LC–MS method with quadrupole-time of flight (QTOF) detection has been developed for the determination of four dinitro-toluenesulfonic acids and two amino-nitro-toluenesulfonic acids in groundwater. The analytes were separated by HPLC with 0.1% (v/v) formic acid as mobile phase modifier compatible with mass spectrometric detection. QTOF-MS analysis with negative ion electrospray ionization afforded good selectivity and sensitivity for analysis of the dinitro- and amino-nitro-toluenesulfonic acids. Structure elucidation and confirmation were accomplished by tandem mass spectrometry. Characteristic ions resulting from the loss of NO, NO2, and SO2 from the [M−H]− ions were detected. An intense fragment ion at m/z 80 representing the [SO3]− ion was detected for all dinitro- and amino-nitro-toluenesulfonic acids. Solid-phase extraction using a co-polymer cartridge was developed for preconcentration of the analytes from water. Good recovery (>85%) was achieved when 0.1% formic acid was added into the water samples before extraction. Method detection limits ranged from 10 to 76 ng L−1 for the targeted compounds when 10 mL water was analyzed. Groundwater samples collected from wells close to a former ammunition plant in Stadtallendorf, Germany, were analyzed for the dinitro- and amino-nitro-toluenesulfonic acids.

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Acknowledgement

The authors would like to express their thanks for the traveling grant provided by the Germany (DAAD)/Hong Kong (UGC) Joint Research Scheme (GER/JRS/0102/01) which enabled the academic exchanges for the research project. The research work was supported by a Faculty Research Grant (FRG/02–03/II-36) from Hong Kong Baptist University and a RGC-CERG grant (HKBU2017/02P) from Hong Kong Research Grant Councils (RGC).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong

    Wai-Tang Ma & Zongwei Cai

  2. Department of Chemistry, Philipps-University, 35032, Marburg, Germany

    Klaus Steinbach

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  1. Wai-Tang Ma
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  2. Klaus Steinbach
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  3. Zongwei Cai
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Correspondence to Zongwei Cai.

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Ma, WT., Steinbach, K. & Cai, Z. Analysis of dinitro- and amino-nitro-toluenesulfonic acids in groundwater by solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. Anal Bioanal Chem 378, 1828–1835 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-004-2523-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-004-2523-3

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