Capillary column isobutane chemical ionization mass spectrometry of mustard and related compounds.

Capillary column isobutane chemical ionization was found to be an excellent method for the mass spectral characterization of mustard, other sulfur vesicants and related compounds. Interpretation of [M + H]+ and fragmentation ion information afforded by this technique enabled the identification of many previously unreported mustard impurities. The developed methodology was applied to the analysis of an Iran/Iraq soil sample suspected to have been contaminated with mustard. Mustard and 17 other mustard related impurities were identified and characterized in this sample under electron impact and isobutane chemical ionization conditions.