Analysis of Bis(2-hydroxyethyl)sulfone by High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionisation Mass Spectrometry

High performance liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation mass spectrometry(HPLC-APCI-MS) was used to analyze bis(2-hydroxyethyl)sulfone,the degradation product of sulphur mustard.The conditions of HPLC-APCI-MS were optimized under the probe temperature and cone voltage to facilitate acquisition of optimal molecular ion.The data were collected under collision induced dissociation(CID) conditions to facilitate acquisition of product ion information that could be used for structural identification purposes.The detection limit was at 0.4 ng.The method was successfully applied to qualitative and quantitative analysis of bis(2-hydroxyethyl)sulfone in aqueous samples of the 15th official OPCW(Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons) proficiency test within 28 days.