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Tandem mass spectrometry for characterization of high-carbon-number geoporphyrins

Journal Article · · Anal. Chem.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ac00298a012· OSTI ID:5599290

Geoporphyrins are separated into TCL fractions after being isolated from Boscan oil (West Venezuela) by column chromatography. Analysis of each fraction by electron ionization mass spectrometry identified the porphyrin classes present and their carbon number ranges, but the spectra were extremely complex. Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) allowed selection of molecular ions of individual carbon number porphyrins of the DPEP and etio types for fragmentation by collisionally activated dissociation. Comparison of their daughter and neutral loss spectra with those of porphyrin standards provided the first structural information on individual high-carbon-number geoporphyrins (>C/sub 33/). This information is helpful in the study of their geologic evolution and suggests the potential for using MS/MS data on high-carbon-number geoporphyrins as a parameter in oil exploration. Metalated and demetalated porphyrins of the same carbon number produced similar spectra, suggesting that samples may require less treatment for analysis by MS/MS than by conventional MS.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Florida, Gainesville
OSTI ID:
5599290
Journal Information:
Anal. Chem.; (United States), Journal Name: Anal. Chem.; (United States) Vol. 58:7; ISSN ANCHA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English