Molecular Weight Distributions of Heavy Aromatic Petroleum Fractions by Ag+ Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

The ability of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI MS) to analyze heavy aromatic petroleum fractions using silver nitrate as a reagent compound to form characteristic adduct ions has been examined. The complexation of aromatic compounds containing long alkyl substituents with the silver i...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Analytical chemistry (Washington) 2002-03, Vol.74 (6), p.1408-1414
Main Authors: Roussis, Stilianos G, Proulx, Richard
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Constitution and properties of crude oils, shale oils, natural gas and bitumens. Analysis and characteristics
Crude oil, natural gas and petroleum products
Energy
Exact sciences and technology
Fuels
Ions
Petroleum
Scientific imaging
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Summary:The ability of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI MS) to analyze heavy aromatic petroleum fractions using silver nitrate as a reagent compound to form characteristic adduct ions has been examined. The complexation of aromatic compounds containing long alkyl substituents with the silver ion leads to the formation of abundant adduct ions such as [M + Ag]+ and [2M + Ag]+. The concentration of the [2M + Ag]+ ions can be reduced by increasing the sampling cone voltage. Molecular ions and other adduct ions may also be formed depending on the structure of the aromatic molecule. Results obtained from the analysis of representative heavy petroleum fractions and vacuum residues by the Ag+ ESI MS method and conventional ionization methods were in good agreement. The current method extends the applicability of electrospray ionization to the analysis of neutral hydrocarbons in heavy aromatic petroleum fractions. It is simple and compatible with widely available LC/MS instrumentation. The extreme complexity of the Ag+ ESI spectra will require the development of ultrahigh-resolution MS and MS/MS methods for the separation and elucidation of the structures in the vacuum residues.
ISSN:0003-2700
1520-6882
DOI:10.1021/ac011002k