Screening of organic compounds in complexly contaminated scrubber dust by GC × GC-MS and FT-ICR-MS

Higher molecular weight compounds were analyzed by fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS). Two different ionization methods, electrospray ionization (ESI) and graphite assisted laser desorption ionization (LDI), were used in positive and negative ionization mode. Compounds with masses up to 1450 u are observed. The results were evaluated based on the number of formulas in the molecular formula classes and their distribution in double bond equivalents versus carbon number plots (DBE-nC plots). The results from both ionization polarities show significant differences regarding the quality of observed molecular formulas and both ionization methods.