Identification of quaternary ammonium and tertiary sulfonium compounds by plasma desorption mass spectrometry

A rapid and sensitive method for the identification of quaternary ammonium and tertiary sulfonium compounds is described. The method utilizes plasma desorption mass spectrometry (PDMS) in which a 252 Cf ionizing source produces fission fragments which interact with the sample to yield ions which are then analyzed by a time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer. The method was applied to analyses of authentic standards and to the identification of...