Secondary ozonides of endo-cyclic alkenes analyzed by atmospheric sampling Townsend discharge ionization mass spectrometry

Secondary ozonides (SOZ) of cyclohexene, 1-methylcyclohexene, 4-isopropyl-1-methylcyclohexene and d-limonene were cryo-synthesized by ozonolysis in pentane and purified on a silica gel column. The mass spectra obtained by atmospheric sampling Townsend discharge ionization (ASTDI) and collision activated dissociation (CAD) of the protonized SOZ showed characteristic losses evident of the ozonide structure. Oxygen was eliminated as, e.g., O and O2, and loss of (HCHO + HCHO) or (O + CO2) corresponded to the SOZ base-peak for the substituted cyclohexenes by ASTDI-MS. The CAD spectra of the protonized species by use of methane as chemical ionization gas, showed consecutive losses of three oxygen atoms. Elimination of hydroxy-methyl hydroperoxide (HMHP) was particular important for the protonized SOZ, unlike consecutive loss of (HCHO + HCHO) or (O + CO2). In addition, the spectra of d-limonene were characterized by an unique loss of H2O2. These losses appear to be useful for identification of SOZ in gas-phase ozonolysis mixtures of endo-cyclic alkenes, which makes ASTDI an alternative to other on-line techniques for analysis of SOZ in ozonolysis mixtures.