Combination of chemical and electron-impact ionisation with GC x GC-qMS for characterization of fatty alcohol alkoxylate polymers in the low-molecular-weight range up to 700 Da.

The class of fatty alcohol alkoxylates describes surfactants that are synthesised by reaction of fatty alcohols with alkoxides such as ethylene oxide or propylene oxide or a combination of both as copolymers. Such alkoxylates are used, for example, as nonionic surfactants in home and industrial cleaning and washing agents. Chemical characteristics of such alkoxylate copolymers, for example the degree of alkoxylation, the arrangement of building blocks (random or block polymerisation), the type of the starter, and endcapping, play an important role in application behaviour.

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to a rapid-scanning quadrupole mass spectrometer: principles and applications.

The principles, practicability and potential of comprehensive two-dimensional (2D) gas chromatography coupled to a rapid-scanning quadrupole mass spectrometer (GC x GC-qMS) for the analysis of complex flavour mixtures in food, allergens in fragrances and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were studied. With a scan speed of 10,000 amu/s, monitoring over a mass range of up to 200 atomic mass unit (amu) can be achieved at an acquisition frequency of 33 Hz. Extending this mass range and/or increasing the data acquisition frequency results in a loss of spectral quality.