Tandem-in-space and tandem-in-time mass spectrometry: triple quadrupoles and quadrupole ion traps

Tandem-in-time and tandem-in-space MS/MS on quadrupole ion trap (ITMS) and triple quadrupole (TQMS) tandem mass spectrometers, respectively, were compared by evaluating the MS/MS daughter spectra, efficiencies of collision-induced dissociation (CID), limits of detection, and dynamic ranges obtained for the methane positive chemical ionization (PCI)-CID of two alkylphosphonates. Although the yield of daughter ions is dependent upon a number of instrumental parameters on both instruments, with judicious selection of parameters the ITMS and TQMS both yielded daughter ions of similar relative abundances. The ITMS had greater efficiencies of fragmentation, collection, and mass selection and transmission of the daughter ions to the detector. With PCI-MS/MS analysis of diisopropyl methylphosphonate standards introduced via capillary gas chromatography, full daughter spectra could be obtained for as little as 15 pg and 1.5 ng injected for the ITMS and the TQMS, respectively.