Analysis of alkylphenols using GC-MS/MS and automated SRM development

APPLICATION NOTE 147 Analysis of alkylphenols using GC-MS/MS and automated SRM development Authors Inge de Dobbeleer, Joachim Gummersbach, Hans-Joachim Huebschmann; Thermo Fisher Scientific, Dreieich, Germany Keywords Chromeleon Chromatography Data System, Automated build of quantitation method, Environment, Isomer integration, Linearity, Repeatability Goal To describe the analysis of alkylphenol compounds in food and environmental matrices, illustrating the productivity and high-quality results from the GC-MS/MS system with automated selected reaction monitoring (SRM) development. Introduction Alkylphenols and ethoxylated alkylphenols are used as surfactants in a broad range of applications, from processing wood and metals, to use as emulsifiers in polymerization, and even as solvents for flavorings. Alkylphenols are endocrine disruptors with estrogen-like properties that have been shown to alter mammary gland development. 1,2 Additionally, both ethoxylated alkylphenols and alkylphenols are toxic to aquatic life. A subfamily of these chemicals, the nonylphenols, were once widely used in household laundry detergents. Although nonylphenol ethoxylate has been banned for use in household laundry detergents in both the E.U. and the U.S., it still widely used in industrial laundry detergents and is particularly persistent in water. 3 Due to their toxic qualities, production and use of nonylphenol and nonyphenol ethoxylates is prohibited in the E.U., and these chemicals are included in the list of hazardous compounds in the European Water Framework Directive. 4,5

Current European regulations create high demand for analytical screening for these compounds at low levels in both water and food. Additionally, nonylphenol and nonylphenol ethoxylate have been part of a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) action plan since 21. 3 Experimental conditions Sample preparation Water samples To 1 L of sample; n-hexane was added and the mixture was shaken. After separation of the water and organic phases, the organic phase was removed and dried with anhydrous Na 2 SO 4. An aliquot of the organic extract was evaporated to a volume of 3 4 ml and then evaporated under a gentle nitrogen stream to the final volume. Solid samples Into a glass jar, 1 g of the solid sample was weighed, then anhydrous Na 2 SO 4 and 4 ml of extraction solvent mixture (hexane and acetone) were added. The glass jar was sealed with a Teflon seal and sonicated for 2. An aliquot of the sample extract was placed into a Kuderna-Danish apparatus. Another 4 ml of extraction solvent mixture was added to the sample and the extraction was repeated. An aliquot of the second extraction was added to the first extraction aliquot. The combined extracts were evaporated to a volume of 3 4 ml and then evaporated under a gentle nitrogen stream to the final volume. Method setup Measurements were carried out using the Thermo Scientific TRACE 131 gas chromatograph coupled to the Thermo Scientific TSQ Duo* triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. The TRACE 131 GC system was equipped with a programmed temperature vaporizing (PTV) multimode injection system to achieve optimum sample transfer into the analytical column for the critical alkylphenol compounds. The analytical conditions of the GC-MS/MS method are provided in Table 1. The selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode of the TSQ Duo* GC-MS/MS system was chosen to achieve the lowest possible detection limits with high compound selectivity for the typical matrix-laden extracts from food or environmental samples. The Thermo Scientific Chromeleon Chromatography Data System (CDS) software was used as the data system for sample analysis and quantitative data processing. The unique functionality of the Chromeleon CDS software is critical to the integration of the compound isomers into a single final result. AutoSRM was used for the analytical method development. The automated SRM function is an important aid in optimizing the SRM transitions on all levels of method development. The precursor ion, product ion choice, and collision energy are optimized in a few logical, quick, and easy-to-follow steps. The result is a ready-to-use instrument and quantitation method. Figure 1. TSQ Duo GC-MS/MS system with Thermo Scientific TriPlus RSH Autosampler. * Equivalent or better performance with the Thermo Scientific TSQ 9 GC-MS/MS system 2

Table 1. Recommended instrument conditions. TRACE 131 GC Injection volume: 1 µl Inlet liner: Siltec baffled liner (P/N 453T212) Carrier gas: He, constant flow, 1. ml/ Column type: TG-5MS, 2 m length.18 mm ID.18 µm film (P/N 2698-578) Oven program: Transfer line 32 C Temp.: PTV Injector Injection mode: Surge pressure: Surge time: Split time, flow: Inject temp.: Transfer temp.: Cleaning temp.: Clean split flow: 75 C, 2.2 3. C/ to 2 C 2. C/ to 3 C 3 C, 1. Splitless with surge pressure 345 kpa 1 2, 3 ml/ 6 C,.1 6 C/ to 28 C, 5 87 C/ to 325 C, 15 25 ml/ TSQ Duo* Mass Spectrometer Source temp.: 28 C Ionization: EI, 7 ev Emission current: 5 µa Mass resolution: Collision gas: Q1, Q3 normal (.7 Da at FWHM) Argon Compounds and transitions The complete list of compounds and transitions as prepared by the AutoSRM tool is shown in Table 2. All analytical information with retention times and SRM transitions is stored in the Chromeleon CDS method database. This information is also used for the quantitation processing method comprising a method including all compounds, their transitions, and retention times. This information storage strategy avoids potential human error in writing or copying from one file to another and simplifies the complete method setup. Results and discussion The alkylphenol compound class includes many isomers, which do not elute as a single peak but as a group. These isomers require special attention for reliable signal integration and representation of the complete isomer peak area of the compound. The Chromeleon CDS software offers the ability to define a retention time range for the integration of these isomeric compounds, as provided in Table 3. Quantitation is performed using the elution time range for the complete isomer group. In Figure 2, the complete MRM chromatogram is shown for a mixture of alkylphenols listed in Table 1. Automated SRM method development Manual SRM method development can be labor intensive and time consug. For every compound, one precursor ion, but preferably two or more precursor ions, need to be selected. Subsequently, the optimum collision energy and product ions for detection need to be defined for each precursor ion. When investigating dozens or hundreds of compounds, it is challenging for any analyst to perform this task. In addition to all the necessary injections and data gathering, the primary challenge lies in handling the data and carefully monitoring which precursor yields the best product ion at which collision energy at a certain retention time, and perforg this at the same time for dozens of compounds. The automated SRM feature of the Chromeleon CDS software was designed to perform these tasks automatically using the following workflow: 1. A full-scan experiment identifies the target compounds. 2. The most intensive or selective ions are selected and put into a working list. 3. A product scan experiment is run in the next injection using the working list. 4. The method and the sequence for the product scan experiments is prepared automatically. 5. The product scan spectra are clearly shown by compound and by precursor ion. 6. The most intensive or selective product ions are selected and put into the working list. 7. Collision energy is optimized for sensitivity. *Equivalent or better performance with the TSQ 9 GC-MS/MS system 3

8. The method and the sequence for the optimal collision energies is set up automatically. 9. The completed working list is stored as a compound database csv-file. This file can be imported or attached to the instrument method and is also used as the quantifying processing method. The sequence of the AutoSRM steps is illustrated in Figures 4 5. The Chromeleon CDS software can perform library searches for compound identification. Optionally, Chromeleon CDS software can import a list of compounds with retention times, etc. All of the data can be reviewed and edited manually. Quantitative calibration The calibration curves (Figure 6) show good linearity over a range of 2 to 2 ppb. Even at the lowest level, the peaks are very clearly present, even for the isomer groups and the confirg ions. Repeatability in matrix A spiked water sample was extracted and injected seven times. Table 4 shows repeatability of results at the relevant low concentration levels. The repeatability in a water matrix is excellent; all compounds show a repeatability below 5%. Trend reporting The Chromeleon CDS software offers the ability to report trends and make flowcharts (Figure 7). Table 2. List of compounds in the method automatically prepared by AutoSRM. 4 Parent Mass [m/z] Product Mass [m/z] RT [] Name 179 45 8.69 4-nonylphenol 179 73 8.69 4-nonylphenol, confirg ion 1 246 15 11.65 4-nonylphenol diethoxylate (SS2) 246 133 11.65 4-nonylphenol diethoxylate (SS2), confirg ion 1 339 73 11.67 4-octylphenol triethoxylate 339 117 11.67 4-octylphenol triethoxylate, confirg ion 1 339 161 11.67 4-octylphenol triethoxylatee, confirg ion 2 357 73 1.25 BisphenolA 357 191 1.25 BisphenolA, confirg ion 1 185 45 8.66 D8-4-nonylphenol (SS1) 185 73 8.66 D8-4-nonylphenol (SS1), confirg ion 1 27 45 7.75 nonylphenol 27 73 7.75 nonylphenol, confirg ion 1 251 73 9.57 nonylphenol monoethoxylate 251 135 9.57 nonylphenol monoethoxylate, confirg ion 1 251 27 9.57 nonylphenol monoethoxylate, confirg ion 2 179 73 8.1 4-n-octylphenol, confirg ion 1 179 45 8.1 4-n-octylphenol 295 73 1.43 4-t-octylphenol diethoxylate 295 27 1.43 4-t-octylphenol diethoxylate, confirg ion 1 295 117 1.43 4-t-octylphenol diethoxylate, confirg ion 2 295 135 1.43 4-t-octylphenol diethoxylate, confirg ion 3 339 117 12.15 nonylphenol triethoxylate, confirg ion 1 339 73 12.15 nonylphenol triethoxylate 339 161 12.15 nonylphenol triethoxylate, confirg ion 2 27 73 7.4 4-t-octylphenol 27 45 7.4 4-t-octylphenol, confirg ion 1 295 27 11.4 nonylphenol diethoxylate, confirg ion 1 295 117 11.4 nonylphenol diethoxylate 295 135 11.4 nonylphenol diethoxylate, confirg ion 2 295 73 11.4 phenolnonylphenol diethoxylate, confirg ion 3

8.e7 Alkylphenols_Water_SRM #5 AEO5 TIC 7.5e7 7.e7 6.5e7 6.e7 5.5e7 5.e7 4.5e7 4.e7 3.5e7 3.e7 2.5e7 2.e7 1.5e7 1.e7 5.e6.e -5.e6-1.e7 6.55 7. 7.5 8. 8.5 9. 9.5 1. 1.5 11. 11.5 12. 12.5 Figure 2. Chromatogram of alkylphenol standard at 1 ng/ml. 1.5e7 2 - Alkylphenols_Water_SRM #5 Ion = 73 7.84;787922.;nonylfenol Q ua n 1.8e7 Target Compound 1.3e7 1.e7 4-t-octylphenol nonylphenol 4-n-octylphenol 7.5e6 5.e6 2.5e6 6.e6 5.e6 1 - Alkylphenols_Water_SRM #5 Ion = 45 C o nf 1.e -2.e6 7.e6 7.84;287661.;nonylfenol GroupEnd = Fixed 4.e6 3.e6 2.e6 1.e6.e -1.e6 7.32 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 7.9 8. Figure 3. Chromatogram showing the integrated range of nonylphenol isomers. Top: transition 27 > 73 Bottom: transition 27 > 45 5 Table 3. Isomer compound integration time ranges. GroupEnd = Fixed 8.12 D8-4-nonylphenol 4-nonylphenol nonylphenol monoethoxylate bisphenol A 4-t-octylphenol diethoxylate nonylphenol diethoxylate 4-nonylphenol diethoxylate 4-octylphenol triethoxylate nonylphenol triethoxylate RT [] 7.2 7.5-8 8.7 8.64 8.67 9.35 9.8 1.23 1.41 1.8-12 11.63 11.65 11.9 12.4 12.85

Figure 4. Chromeleon AutoSRM screen for automated GC-MS/MS method development. Upper left: The list of compounds and the retention times Upper right: The list of most intense ions in the working list Lower left: The full-scan chromatogram Lower right: The full-scan spectrum of a selected compound Figure 5. Optimization of the SRM collision energy by AutoSRM. Upper left: The list of compounds and the retention times Upper right: The list of applied collision energies and sorted by intensity of the product ion in the working list Lower left: The SRM peak, in this case m/z 185 > 73 Lower right: The graph of collision energy versus intensity 6

4-nonylfenol 5 * 45 4 35 3 25 2 15 1 5 4 375 35 325 3 275 25 225 2 175 15 125 1 75 5 25 13 12 11 1 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 @MT_4-nonylfenol_Quan 2 4 6 8 1 12 14 16 18 2 22 24 25 nonylfenol monoethoxylat 45 * 425 4-t-Octylfenol diethoxylat 14 * 13 12 11 1 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 125 25 375 5 625 75 875 1 1125 12 @MT_4-t-Octylfenol diethoxylat_quan 2 4 6 8 1 12 14 16 18 2 22 2425 nonylfenol triethoxylat 14 * Calibration Curve 4-nonylphenol R 2 =.9973 Nonylphenol monoethoxylate R 2 =.9997 @MT_nonylfenol monoethoxylat_quan 4-t-octylphenol diethoxylate R 2 =.9989 Nonyl phenol trietoxylate R 2 =.9975 @MT_nonylfenol triethoxylat_quan 125 25 375 5 625 75 875 1 1125 12 14, 1, -2, 3, 25, 12,5 14, 1, 1, 73 Ion = 73 1.41;1544.;4-t-Octylfenol diethoxylat 3 - Alkylphenols_Water_SRM #1 8, 6, 4, 2, -1, 2 - Alkylphenols_Water_SRM #1 3, 117 Ion = 117 1.4;429.;4-t-Octylfenol diethoxylat 2, 1, -5, 2, 15, 1, 5, Q uan Conf 1 1 - Alkylphenols_Water_SRM #1 135 Ion = 135 1.41;273.;4-t-Octylfenol diethoxylat Conf 2-2, 1.3 1.35 1.4 1.45 1.5 3 - Alkylphenols_Water_SRM #1 161 Ion = 161 12.19;125.;nonylfenol triethoxylat GroupStart = Auto Q uan 2 - Alkylphenols_Water_SRM #1 73 Ion = 73 12.18;2421.;nonylfenol triethoxylat C onf 1 1 - Alkylphenols_Water_SRM #1 117 Ion = 117 12.19;137.;nonylfenol triethoxylat C onf 2 1.4e6 1.2e6 1.e6 8.e5 6.e5 4.e5 2.e5.e -2.e5 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Q uan C onf 1 2 - Alkylphenols_Water_SRM #1 73 Ion = 73 8.66;18757.;4-nonylfenol 1 - Alkylphenols_Water_SRM #1 45 Ion = 45 8.66;6732.;4-nonylfenol -5, 8.55 8.6 8.65 8.7 8.75 12, 1, 75, 5, 25, 25, 12,5-5, 11, 1, 75, 5, 25, -1, Q uan -2, 2 - Alkylphenols_Water_SRM #1 135 Ion = 135 55, 9.66;2243.;nonylfenol monoethoxylat 5, GroupEnd = Fixed 37,5 C onf 1 C onf 2 Compound Peak at 2 ng/ml Peak at 1 ng/ml 3 - Alkylphenols_Water_SRM #1 73 Ion = 73 1 - Alkylphenols_Water_SRM #1 27 Ion = 27 9.66;4858.;nonylfenol monoethoxylat 9.66;3893.;nonylfenol monoethoxylat GroupEnd = Fixed -2, 11.8 11.9 12. 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 9.2 9.4 9.6 9.8 1. Peak at 2 ng/ml Peak at 1 ng/ml 7 Figure 6. Calibration curves and peaks at lowest level.

Table 4. Method precision in % RSD measured, n = 7. Avg. Conc. % Compound [ppb] RSD 4-n-octylphenol 81.9 1.49 4-nonylphenol 79.2 1.67 4-nonylphenol diethoxylate 731 4.25 4-octylphenol triethoxylate 86.4 3.59 4-t-octylphenol 95.7 1.23 4-t-octylphenol diethoxylate 97.9 2.1 bisphenol A 79.2 4.7 D8-4-nonylphenol 324.5 1.81 nonylphenol 37.3 1.55 nonylphenol diethoxylate 464.6 3.87 nonylphenol monoethoxylate 466 1.82 nonylphenol triethoxylate 513 4.23 Conclusions All alkylphenol compounds show good linear calibrations over the range of 2 to 2 ppb. The method has proven high precision and repeatability in a water matrix sample. AutoSRM is a useful tool for automated MRM method development and maintenance. It delivers an optimized method and avoids tedious and laborious method development. The Chromeleon CDS software offers excellent processing options for data reviewing, including ion ratio checks and reporting. All reporting can be optimized for each application requirement. References 1. Chain of Contaation The Food Link; Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) 26. 2. Directive 23/53/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 June 23 amending for the 26th time Council Directive 76/769/EEC relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations (nonylphenol, nonylphenol ethoxylate and cement). Off. J. Eur. Communities: Legis., 23. 3. Nonylphenol (NP) and Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (NPEs) Action plan [RIN 27-ZA9]; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, 21. 4. Directive 2/6/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy. Off. J. Eur. Communities: Legis., 21. 5. Application Brief 52298, Introducing AutoSRM-MRM Simplicity for High Performance Results, Thermo Scientific, Austin, TX, 212. Figure 7. An example of the area of the internal standard in a short sequence, showing the average and the 2s and 3s values as horizontal bars. The analytical data of this sequence is well within the 2s width. Find out more at thermofisher.com/unstoppablegcms 218 Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. All rights reserved. Teflon is a registered trademark of E.I. du Pont de Nemours. All other trademarks are the property of Thermo Fisher Scientific. This information is presented as an example of the capabilities of Thermo Fisher Scientific products. It is not intended to encourage use of these products in any manner that might infringe the intellectual property rights of others. Specifications, terms and pricing are subject to change. Not all products are available in all countries. Please consult your local sales representative for details. AN147-EN 318M