DART Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry for analysis of complex organic mixtures

• First combination of a commercial direct analysis in real time (DART) source with FT-ICR MS.
• Abundant molecular or quasimolecular ions from C60, heavy petroleum, naphthenate deposits, and biotar, without fragmentation.
• Desorption/ionization of compounds with boiling points significantly higher than the DART source temperature.

We report the first combination of a commercial direct analysis in real time (DART) source with FT-ICR MS and its application to analysis of complex organic mixtures. DART enables ionization of compounds with little or no sample preparation, and FT-ICR provides ultrahigh mass resolution and mass accuracy. The combination provides a rapid, robust, and reliable method for analysis of components spanning a wide range of chemical functionality. DART 9.4 T FT-ICR MS generates abundant molecular or quasimolecular ions from C60, heavy petroleum, naphthenate deposits, and biotar, without fragmentation. Moreover, we demonstrate desorption/ionization of compounds with boiling points significantly higher than the DART source temperature. DART FT-ICR MS thus offers a new and useful atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry technique for analysis of complex organic mixtures.

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