Electron impact and electron capture negative ionization mass spectra of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and methoxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers.

This review presents the electron impact (EI) and electron capture negative ionization (ECNI) mass spectra of the polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants and of their methoxy derivatives. Data from the literature are reviewed, and full spectra from our laboratory are reported to correct some of the errors that have crept into some previously published data. The EI spectra of the PBDEs are dominated by molecular ions and by singly and doubly charged ions due to the loss of Br2 from the molecular ion. The ECNI spectra of PBDEs with seven or less bromines are dominated by Br(-) and by HBr2(-); the spectra of those with eight or more bromines are dominated bytetra- or pentabromophenoxide ions due to cleavage of the phenyl-ether linkage. The EI mass spectra of methoxy-PBDEs can easily distinguish the position of the methoxy group relative to the phenyl-ether linkage. The ECNI spectra of these compounds are also dominated by Br(-) and HBr2(-). In both ionization modes and for both compound groups, there are some subtle features, which often allow one to rule in or out substitution at one or more of the ortho-ring positions.