Detection of 2-chloroethylethyl sulfide on soil particles using ion trap-secondary ion mass spectrometry.

2-Chloroethylethyl sulfide (CEES) is used as a simulant for mustard (HD) in a study to develop secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) for rapid, semi-quantitative detection of mustard on soil. Selectivity and sensitivity are markedly improved employing multiple-stage mass spectrometry (MS(n)) using an ion trap SIMS. C(2)H(5)SC(2)H(4)(+) from CEES eliminates C(2)H(4) and H(2)S, which are highly diagnostic. CEES was detectable at 0.0012 monolayer on soil. This corresponds to approximately 15 ppm (mass/mass) for a soil having a surface area of 12 m(2) g(-1). A single analysis could be conducted using only 2 mg of soil in under 5 min.