A comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with quadrupole mass spectrometry approach for identification of C10 derivatives from decalin

A detailed mass map of C10's is required to better understand the mechanism of decalin catalytic ring opening/rearrangement. Conventional GC-FID or GC-MSD techniques could not accurately identify these isomers. Comprehensive two-dimensional gas-chromatography with MSD (GC × GC-MSD) proved to be a powerful tool for this purpose, due to its enhanced peak resolution. Analytical response quality was evaluated by the separation of two contiguous peaks and MS profile “clearness”. This allowed fragmentation study for nearly pure species. Tentative attributions, based on fragmentation-rearrangement in the MSD environment, were made after confirming that MS data bases routinely mistake olefins for cyclo-alkanes.