The determination of multifunctional oxygenated compounds in secondary organic aerosols (SOA) usually requires a derivatisation protocol prior to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis (GC-MS). Our proposed protocol, a combination of O-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl) hydroxylamine (PFBHA) plus diluted N-methyl-N-trimethyl-silyltrifluoroacetamide (MSTFA) without catalyst, has improved the determination of carbonyls, polyhydroxyl-compounds, hydroxyl- carbonyls, hydroxyl-carboxylic acids and di-carboxylic acids. The optimised derivatisation protocol has been successfully used for blanks, standard mixtures and photo-oxidation products from isoprene and toluene generated in a high-volume simulation chamber (European Photoreactor, EUPHORE). Some previously identified degradation products for isoprene including tetrols such as threitol, erythritol; 2-methyltetrols and 2-methylglyceric acid; and for toluene including nitrophenols, methyl-nitrophenols, benzaldehyde, p-cresol, benzoic acid, glyoxylic acid and methyl-glyoxylic acid, have been identified in our aerosol samples, thus confirming the successful applicability of the proposed derivatisation protocol. Moreover, the reduction of artefacts and enhanced signal-to-noise ratio, have allowed us to extend the number of multifunctional compounds determined. These findings have demonstrated the validity of this analytical strategy, which will contribute to a better understanding of the atmospheric degradation chemistry of biogenic and anthropogenic pollutants. © 2012 Taylor & Francis.
CITATION STYLE
Borrás, E., & Tortajada-Genaro, L. A. (2012). Determination of oxygenated compounds in secondary organic aerosol from isoprene and toluene smog chamber experiments. International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry, 92(1), 110–124. https://doi.org/10.1080/03067319.2011.572164
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