Direct detection of aromatic amines and observation of intermediates of Schiff-base reactions by reactive desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

► 6 suspected carcinogenic aromatic amines were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed without sample pretreatment. ► The intermediates of the heterogeneous Schiff-base reactions were directly observed and identified. ► Acetone was verified to be another choice of the spray solvent of DESI-MS.