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. 2024 Mar 4;35(4):714–727. doi: 10.1021/jasms.3c00392

Application of Chemical Ionization in the Analysis of Ethylphosphonic Acid Derivatives

Maciej Boczkowski 1, Stanisław Popiel 1,*, Jakub Nawała 1
PMCID: PMC10995997  PMID: 38433439

Abstract

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The microsynthesis of 32 dialkyl derivatives of ethylphosphonic acid and the same number of monoalkyl derivatives was carried out to perform comparative studies using gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry in chemical ionization mode which is one of the analytical techniques recommended by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). The huge number of possible representatives makes it difficult to have complete spectral libraries of all substances in this class. Therefore, we decided to synthesize and instrumentally analyze only representatives of the selected series of homologues in this work. The analysis of the obtained results allowed us to find the rules for predicting mass spectra and the factors determining the retention parameters. Symmetrical diesters and monoesters of ethylphosphonic acid were selected for this study. During the conducted experiments using chemical ionization with methane as the reaction gas, protonated analyte molecules with high relative intensities were obtained; in many cases, these are base peaks in the spectrum. The obtained results allow grouping of the synthesized compounds depending on the introduced alkyl substituent. Retention data of the tested analytes were collected during the research by using electron ionization. The retention parameters of the tested compounds from each homologous series were also summarized and compared. Chemical Warfare Agents (CWA) analysis continues to be an important issue, especially in the context of the regular Proficiency Tests organized by the OPCW for identifying chemical compounds that are of interest to the Chemical Weapons Convention. Five compounds were synthesized whose spectra were not available in EI mass spectral libraries, and their retention indices were unknown. The identification of these substances was supported by the CI mass spectra and retention data, using previously developed relationships. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that the research method used is useful and effective.

Keywords: organophosphorus compounds, ethylphosphonic acid derivatives, gas chromatography, chemical ionization, mass spectrometry

1. Introduction

Adopted in 1992 by resolution (A/RES/47/39),1 signed in 1993 and implemented in 1997, “Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling, and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction” was and still is a big step toward building a world free from the threats associated with the massive use of highly toxic substances.2

One of the outcomes of signing the Convention was the establishment of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). One of its missions was the launch of the Proficiency Tests for a global network of designated laboratories. Initiating this process required the definition of many technical issues. During the 54 editions of the tests, both the requirements for the recommended analytical techniques and reporting of the results have evolved. However, “spectrally rich” methods are still preferred. One of the class of analytical techniques that the OPCW Technical Secretariat (TS) recommends for use in testing compounds related to the Convention is gas chromatography combined with chemical ionization (CI) mass spectrometry.3

The first published mass spectra of Chemical Warfare Agents (CWA) obtained by chemical ionization, developed in a tabular version using methane, ethylene, and isobutane as reaction gases, were published in 1979.4 A team of Canadian scientists from the Defense Research Establishment Suffield published a series of papers on CWA organophosphorus mass spectrometry;5,6 the main focus was on tabun and its impurities.7−9 Research on the chemical ionization of alkylphosphonic acid derivatives was also conducted in other countries.10,11 This technique is now often used as a supplement to classical electron beam ionization (EI) in research on “conventional compounds”.12−14

An essential part of the Convention is the 3 Schedule of chemical compounds, including banned and controlled substances. The schedules of the organophosphorus compounds are particularly extensive. One of them, 2.B.4, is a formally open set of compounds. It is defined as “Chemicals, except for those listed in Schedule 1, containing a phosphorus atom to which is bonded one methyl, ethyl or propyl (normal or iso) group but not further carbon atoms”.15 This schedule includes, among others: alkylphosphonic dichlorides, i.e., direct precursors for the production of, e.g., CWA series G, which are listed in the Convention as Schedule 1.A.1. Schedule 2.B.4 also includes products of direct environmental decomposition of these substances, monoesters of alkylphosphonic acids, which in the next stage degrade to alkylphosphonic acids, which are stable and persistent compounds in the environment. They can serve as markers of CWA usage, even after a long time. It should be noted that these substances cannot be analyzed directly by GC-MS due to their high boiling points and the presence of polar hydroxyl groups. The solution is their conversion to volatile derivatives by derivatization. In the case of environmental samples, conversion to silyl esters is recommended.16 In the case of biomedical samples, alkylation with perfluorinated reagents is used.17 Recommended procedures for conducting the derivatization reaction have been developed.18 These compounds in unchanged form (without derivatization) can be analyzed by liquid chromatography with selected detectors19−21 or gas chromatography using a CP-FFAP column.22 This column was deployed by the producer to analyze the polar compounds, such as free fatty acids, alcohols, or organic acids. The FFAP stationary phase is polyethylene glycol modified with acid to provide an inert column that can ensure the demanding analysis of polar compounds. Therefore, it allows for the analysis of alkylphosphonic acids without derivatization.

The number of possible derivatives of Schedule 1.A was initially estimated at about 500,000.23 Later reports gave values of approximately 1,325,000.18 Recently, it has been estimated that the number of representatives of Schedule 1.A.1 alone is 2,347,712,24 and the number of their derivatives assigned to Schedule 2.B.4 will be the same. The most toxic compounds from Schedule 1.A.1 contain branched alkyls with 4–6 carbon atoms in the ester groups.25 Derivatives containing long carbon chains in ester groups are indeed unlikely to be considered mass-produced CWA due to their price, availability, and relatively low toxicity.18 However, their use for criminal purposes cannot be ruled out.

The huge number of possible compounds makes it difficult to have complete libraries of spectra of all compounds in these classes. Therefore, it seems reasonable to synthesize and instrumentally analyze selected series of homologues.26,27 Elaboration of the obtained results will make it possible to find the rules for predicting the mass spectra of this class of compounds and the factors determining the retention parameters. The acquired knowledge will allow us to predict the properties of their other not yet described in the literature or still unexplored representatives, which will be the aim of this work. Symmetrical diesters and monoesters of ethylphosphonic acid were selected for the study. Safety considerations dictated the choice of these substances, because substances from Schedule 1 are highly toxic.

During the research, undecyl and dodecyl derivatives were also obtained, which, although included in Schedule 2.B.4, cannot be considered as degradation products of CWA from Schedule 1 because compounds with chains of up to 10 carbon atoms are considered such. In this work, they were used to confirm the behavior trend of the n-alkyl derivatives. Their spectra and the spectrum of the O-cyclobutyl O-TMS ethylphosphonate are not included in the available libraries (NIST17, OCAD_v24, VGWG_2022, nor WILEY).

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, comprehensive information on the studies of ethylphosphonic acid derivatives using GC-CI-MS has not been published so far.

2. Experimental Section

2.1. Reagents and Chemicals

The following chemicals compounds all with purity of 96% or more were substrates used for microsynthesis and preparing samples for analysis: methanol, acetonitrile (Chem-Solve, Łódź, Poland); ethanol, dichloromethane (POCH, Gliwice, Poland); 1-propanol, 1-butanol, 1-pentanol, 1-hexanol, 1-heptanol, 1-octanol, 1-nonanol, 1-decanol, 1-undecanol, 1-dodecanol, cyclobutanol, cyclopentanol, cyclohexsanol, cycloheptanol, 2-propanol, 2-butanol, 2-methyl-1-propanol, 2-pentanol, 3-pentanol, 2-methyl-1-butanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol, 3-methyl-2-butanol, 2-hexanol, 3-hexanol, 2-methyl-1-pentanol, 2-ethyl-1-butanol, 4-methyl-2-pentanol, N,O-Bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA), alkane solution (C7–C30) (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO, USA); 2,2-dimethyl-1-propanol, ethylphosphonic dichloride: (Acros Organics, USA); pinacolyl alcohol: (Alfa Aesar, Ward Hill, MA, USA), cyclooctanol (Merck, Darmstadt, Germany); sodium sulfate: (CHEMPUR, Piekary Śląskie, Poland); deionized water with a conductivity of 0,05 μS obtained from a Polwater DL-2-50 deionizer.

2.2. Instrumental

Spectral and retention data were obtained using Agilent 7890B gas chromatograph coupled with Agilent 7000C triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer both in EI and CI modes with HP-5MS UI (J & W) capillary column (30 m, 0.25 mm i.d., and 0.25 μm film thickness). The carrier gas was helium 6.0 purity with 1 mL/min flow. For CI experiments in positive mode methane, 5.5 purity was used, with a flow of 20% controlled by the device.

2.3. Analytical Method

The analysis was carried out using a temperature program: the chromatographic column was held for 1 min at 40 °C and then heated to 320 °C at a rate of 20 °C/min, sustaining the final temperature of 320 °C for 3 min. The injection temperature was 250 °C in splitless mode with purge flow to split vent 55 mL/min at 0.2 min, transfer line temperature 320 °C, ion source temperature 230 °C for EI and 250 °C for CI, both quadrupole 150 °C, electron energy 70 eV for EI and 150 eV for CI, emission current 35 eV for EI, 145 eV for CI, scan range 40–500 u for EI and 80–600 u for CI. One μL portion of the sample was introduced. For dimer identification, the mass range was 100–900 for CI analysis.

2.4. Procedure for Microsynthesis of Ethylphosphonic Acid Derivatives

Due to the fact that most of the analytes selected for research are not commercially available, microsynthesis of dialkyl derivatives and monoalkyl derivatives of ethylphosphonic acid were performed. The general reaction equation for the conducted microsynthesis of symmetrical diesters is as follows:

2.4.

The overall reaction equation for the conducted microsynthesis of monoesters is as follows:

2.4.
2.4.

The resulting monoesters were then derivatized with BSTFA:

2.4.

Every derivative was obtained on a microscale in “one pot” synthesis and was not isolated from the postreaction mixture. Into the 5 mL vial was added 0.1 mL of appropriate alcohol mixed with 50 μL of pyridine and 10% solution of ethylphosphonic dichloride in n-hexane. The mixture was vortexed and heated at 60 °C for 60 min. After this time, 1 mL of deionized water was added and shaken for 1 min, and then 1 mL of n-hexane was added and shaken again for 1 min. After phase separation, the upper phase was collected and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The standard solutions obtained in this way were analyzed by using GC-EI-MS and GC–CI-MS. O-alkyl-O-trimethylsilyl ethylphosphonates were obtained by evaporating 100 μL of postreaction water to dryness in a stream of nitrogen and derivatizing the residue with BSTFA in acetonitrile solution for 30 min and at 60 °C. After derivatization, the reaction mixture was cooled, diluted with dichloromethane, and analyzed by GC-EI-MS and GC-CI-MS.

The resulting postreaction mixtures were not purified and analyzed as a mixture. The correctness of the microsyntheses was confirmed using GC-EI-MS. Example chromatograms and mass spectra are shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 1.

Figure 1

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Chromatogram (A) and mass spectra (B, C) showing the analysis of the postreaction mixture after microsynthesis of the dicyclobutyl derivative of ethylphosphonic acid. Compound with a retention time of 7.67 min is O-cyclobutyl O-trimethylsilyl ethylphosphonate and the compound with a retention time of 8.77 min is O,O-dicyclobutyl ethylphosphonate.

Figure 2.

Figure 2

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Chromatogram (A) and mass spectra (B, C) showing the analysis of the postreaction mixture after microsynthesis of the di2methyl-1-butyl derivative of ethylphosphonic acid. Compound with a retention time of 7.80 min is O-2methyl-1-butyl O-trimethylsilyl ethylphosphonate, and the compound with a retention time of 8.95 min is O,O-di2methyl-1-butyl ethylphosphonate.

2.5. Health and Safety Section

Safety precautions were taken during synthesis and when handling samples and solutions containing the compounds. When setting up reactions, sampling and preparing analytical samples, and cleanup or decontamination activities, the following personal protective equipment were worn: safety glasses, nitrile gloves, and lab coat. All activities involving synthesis and sample preparation were performed in the laboratory room in a ventilation hood.

3. Results and Discussion

3.1. Properties of Positive Chemical Ionization (PCI) Spectra

In the EI spectra of synthesized 32 O,O-dialkyl ethylphosphonates and the same number of O-alkyl O-trimethylsilyl ethylphosphonates, no molecular ion with significant abundance is observed, which is consistent with the available literature data.28 Of course, the exceptions are the dimethyl and diethyl derivatives, whose spectra have a molecular ion (Tables 1 and 2). Therefore, obtaining mass spectra with a molecular ion or a protonated analyte molecule will be of great importance for identification, because the molecular weight of the compound is an additional and always important parameter characterizing a chemical compound. It is worth noting that the OPCW TS recommends in its guidelines providing this parameter when reporting identified analytes in Proficiency Tests.3

Table 1. Spectral and Retention Data Experimentally Determined for O,O-Dialkyl Ethylphosphonates.

Lp. R molecular weightb M+• in EI % base peak in EI m/z [M + H]+ in CI m/z [M + H]+ in CI % [M + 29]+ in CI % [M + 41]+ in CI % [2M + H]+ in CI m/z [2M + H]+ in CI % base peak in CI m/z characteristic peak in CI (m/z 111) % LTPRI
1 methyl 138 7 110 139 100 11 11 277 16 139 0 971
2 ethyl 166 7 111 167 100 22 14 333 17 167 8 1091
3 1-propyl 194   111 195 100 19 18 389 22 195 18 1274
4 1-butyl 222   111 223 100 19 16 445 1 223 25 1459
5 1-pentyl 250   111 251 100 25 17 501 6 251 16 1649
6 1-hexyl 278   111 279 100 29 16 557 5 279 15 1842
7 1-heptyl 306   111 307 100 31 16 613 4 307 12 2036
8 1-octyl 334   111 335 100 31 15 669 1 335 11 2231
9 1-nonyl 362   111 363 100 25 11 725 1 363 9 2427
10 1-decyl 390   111 391 100 26 11 781 1 391 7 2648
11 1-undecyl 418   111 419 100 25 11 837 1 419 8 2821
12 1-dodecyl 446   111 447 100 24 10 893 1 447 5 3010
13 2-propyl 194   111 195 100 3 0 389 20 195 90 1146
14 2-butyla 222   111 223 76 0 0 445 1 111 100 1339
15 2-pentyla 250 T   111 251 51 0 0 501 1 111 100 1495
16 2-hexyla 278 T   111 279 31 0 0 557 1 111 100 1675
17 cyclobutyl 218   55 219 100 6 8 437 7 219 20 1539
18 cyclopentyl 246   111 247 57 0 0 493 5 111 100 1745
19 cyclohexyl 274   111 275 61 0 0 549 3 111 100 1962
20 cycloheptyl 302   111 303 4 0 0 607 1 95 80 2239
21 cyclooctyl 330   111 331 0 0 0 661 1 109 53 2499
22 3-pentyl 250   111 251 26 0 0 501 1 111 100 1514
23 3-hexyla 278   111 279 5 0 0 557 1 83 68 1675
24 2-methyl-1-propyl 222   111 223 100 3 12 445 3 223 73 1373
25 2,2-dimethyl-1-propyl 250   124 251 100 1 8 501 1 251 66 1442
26 2-methyl-1-butyl 250   111 251 100 4 11 501 1 251 71 1568
27 3-methyl-1-butyla 250   111 251 100 24 18 501 1 251 16 1563
28 3-methyl-2-butyla 250 T   137 251 6 0 0 501 1 111 100 1478
29 2-methyl-1-pentyla 278   111 279 100 6 11 557 2 279 75 1736
30 2-ethyl-1-butyl 278   111 279 100 3 9 557 2 279 98 1735
31 4-methyl-2-pentyla 278 T   111 279 11 0 0 557 1 111 100 1498
32 pinacolyla 278 D   137 279 68 0 0 557 1 111 100 1587
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a

Alcohol with a chiral center.

b

D – double peaks in the chromatogram; T – triple peaks in the chromatogram; LTPRI – linear temperature-programmed retention index.

Table 2. Spectral and Retention Data Experimentally Determined for O-Alkyl O-Trimethylsilyl Ethylphosphonates.

Lp. R molecular weightb M+• in EI % The base peak in EI m/z [M + H]+ in CI m/z [M + H]+ in CI % [M + 29]+ in CI % [M + 41]+ in CI % m/z 167 in CI % m/z 183 in CI % [M + 73]+ in CI m/z [M + 73]+ in CI % base peak in CI m/z LTPRI
1 methyl 196 7 181 197 100 23 10 2 2 269 1 197 1105
2 ethyl 210 7 167 211 100 27 13 5 6 283 18 211 1158
3 1-propyl 224   167 225 100 26 15 12 21 297 24 225 1243
4 1-butyl 238   167 239 100 23 14 13 36 311 6 239 1334
5 1-pentyl 252   167 253 100 26 14 12 37 325 28 253 1425
6 1-hexyl 266   167 267 100 27 14 11 36 339 31 267 1522
7 1-heptyl 280   167 281 100 27 14 9 34 353 30 281 1617
8 1-octyl 294   167 295 100 27 13 8 32 367 24 295 1716
9 1-nonyl 308   167 309 100 26 12 7 30 381 12 309 1812
10 1-decyl 322   183 323 100 25 11 5 25 395 6 323 1914
11 1-undecyl 336   183 337 100 25 11 5 24 409 13 337 2010
12 1-dodecyl 350   183 351 100 24 10 5 23 423 7 351 2111
13 2-propyl 224 1 167 225 72 0 6 36 100 297 28 183 1180
14 2-butyla 238   167 239 74 0 0 33 100 311 44 183 1272
15 2-pentyla 252 T   167 253 60 6 3 31 100 325 30 183 1359
16 2-hexyla 266 T   167 267 48 2 1 28 100 339 18 183 1430
17 cyclobutyl 236   167 237 100 14 11 12 40 309 13 237 1368
18 cyclopentyl 250   167 251 54 0 0 30 100 323 31 183 1465
19 cyclohexyl 264   167 265 60 0 0 30 100 337 27 183 1564
20 cycloheptyl 278   167 279 20 0 0 26 100 351 6 183 1690
21 cyclooctyl 292   167 293 6 0 0 25 100 365 1 183 1807
22 3-pentyl 252   167 253 57 0 0 30 100 325 34 183 1364
23 3-hexyla 266   167 267 21 2 0 27 100 339 4 183 1430
24 2-methyl-1-propyl 238   167 239 97 12 15 36 100 311 8 183 1293
25 2,2-dimethyl-1-propyl 252   167 253 100 8 11 31 92 325 76 253 1328
26 2-methyl-1-butyl 252   167 253 93 10 13 35 100 325 24 183 1386
27 3-methyl-1-butyla 252   167 253 100 25 15 14 43 323 27 253 1387
28 3-methyl-2-butyla 252 T   167 253 12 0 0 27 100 325 1 183 1340
29 2-methyl-1-pentyla 266   167 267 93 11 13 33 100 339 26 183 1469
30 2-ethyl-1-butyl 266   167 267 79 9 10 32 100 339 25 183 1471
31 4-methyl-2-pentyla 266 T   167 267 18 1 1 27 100 339 2 183 1389
32 pinacolyla 266   167 267 62 3 0 20 81 339 100 339 1387
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a

Alcohol with a chiral center.

b

T – triple peaks in the chromatogram; LTPRI – linear temperature programmed retention index.

The mass spectrum obtained in the CI mode gives another piece of information that can be used to identify the compound, especially in the case of such classes of substances whose mass spectra in the EI mode are poor, slightly different within homologues, and do not form a molecular peak in this mode (Tables 1 and 2). The use of CI results in the formation of a protonated molecule with much greater relative intensity than the molecular ion formed during EI ionization. This is due to less energy deposited on the ionized molecule, resulting in less fragmentation.29 The ion of the protonated molecule is often the base peak in the mass spectrum obtained in chemical ionization mode.

The most common phenomenon during the formation of positive ions in the gas phase is the proton transfer process:29,30

3.1.

This is also the case when methane is used as the reaction gas and the main reaction ion is [CH5]+. The molecular weight is confirmed by characteristic adducts. In the case of methane, two additional ions are often observed in the spectrum: [M + C2H5]+ and [M + C3H5]+. They are formed in the process of electrophilic addition.30 Methane is one of the most commonly used substances for this purpose.

Admittedly, this reagent is considered a hard reaction gas, i.e., causing relatively high fragmentation. The use of ammonia may in some analytical solutions be more efficient in obtaining protonated molecules.10

3.2. Methane PCI Spectra of the Tested Compounds

Considering the results obtained during the analyzes of 32 representatives of symmetrical dialkyl ethylphosphonates and O-alkyl O-trimethylsilyl ethylphosphonates, the following regularities in the mass spectra can be presented, resulting from the similarities in the structure of compounds (Figures 3 and 6). The most important spectral and retention data are presented in Tables 1 and 2 for all 32 compounds.

Figure 3.

Figure 3

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Probable mechanism for the formation of the main O,O-dialkyl ethylphosphonate ions in methane PCI. The figure was made based on literature information regarding the fragmentation of analytes in chemical ionization.10,11

Figure 6.

Figure 6

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Probable mechanism for the formation of the main ions O-alkyl O-trimethylsilyl ethylphosphonates in methane PCI. The expression OTMS means: O–Si(CH3)3, and the expression ODMS means O–Si(CH3)2.

For diesters, the characteristic ion is m/z 111 and corresponds to the [C2H8PO3]+ fragment (Figure 3). Additionally, in the mass spectrum of esters we observe protonated molecule [M + H]+ and [M + C2H5]+, [M + C3H5]+ adducts (Figure 4A, B, and D). The exceptions are derivatives obtained by substitution of cycloalkyls. In this case, we do not observe [M + C2H5]+ and [M + C3H5]+ adducts (Figure 4C). For all diesters in mass spectra, we observe dimer ion [2M + H]+ (Figure 5). Monoesters are characterized by the presence of a pair of ions m/z 167 from [C4H12PO3Si]+ and 183 from [C5H16PO3Si]+ (Figure 7). In mass spectra of monoesters, we can observe protonated molecule [M + H]+ with high intensity, similarly to diesters, and we also observe [M + C2H5]+, [M + C3H5]+ adducts. Additionally, for monoesters, no dimers were found. For monoester in mass spectrum [M+73]+ ion occurs, as a result of the addition of the trimethylsilyl group (Si(CH3)3). The simultaneous observation of these ions in the CI spectrum may indicate the presence of ethylphosphonic acid derivatives in the tested samples. For unambiguous identification, it is advisible to supplement this type of data with data obtained from other techniques, especially using GC-EI-MS.

Figure 4.

Figure 4

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Comparison of PCI mass spectra of dialkyl derivatives of ethylphosphonic acid: (A) 1-pentyl, (B) 2-methyl-1-butyl, (C) cyclopentyl, and (D) 2-pentyl.

Figure 5.

Figure 5

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PCI mass spectra of diethyl ethylphosphonate confirming the formation of dimers (m/z = 333).

Figure 7.

Figure 7

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Comparison of PCI mass spectra of monoalkyl derivatives of ethylphosphonic acid: (A) 1-pentyl, (B) 2-methyl-1-butyl, (C) cyclopentyl, and (D) 2-pentyl.

3.2.1. O,O-Dialkyl Ethylphosphonates

  • (1)

    N-Alkyl derivatives: the protonated molecule [M + H]+ is the primary peak. [M + C2H5]+ and [M + C3H5]+ adducts are clearly visible and confirm the molecular weight of these compounds (Figure 4A).

  • (2)

    Other primary alkyl derivatives: the protonated [M + H]+ molecule is the base peak, but the [M + C2H5]+ and [M + C3H5]+ adducts are of lower intensity than in the n-alkyl derivatives. The m/z 111 ion, derived from the cleavage of both alkyl groups, has an intensity of 17 to 93% of the base ion. The ion formed as a result of the detachment of one alkyl group has an intensity greater than 40% of the base peak. Its m/z varies depending on the type of alkyl substituent introduced. In the case of branching at carbon γ, the course of fragmentation is similar to the fragmentation of n-alkyl derivatives (Figure 4B).

  • (3)

    Unsubstituted cycloalkyl derivatives: The adducts are barely visible. In the case of these derivatives, the m/z 111 ion dominates. The ion formed as a result of cleavage of the cycloalkyl group has an intensity of 5–55% of the base peak. The m/z value of the resulting fragment depends on the type of cycloalkyl substituent introduced (Figure 4C). The exception here is the dicyclobutyl derivative were the protonated molecule is the base peak and has an intensity of 0–o 61% of the base ion in the other derivatives.

  • (4)

    Secondary alkyl derivatives: the protonated molecule has an intensity of 5–75%, except for the di-2-propyl derivative where it is the primary ion. The spectra are dominated by the m/z 111 ion as the base ion (Figure 4D).

  • (5)

    Dimer ions appear [2M + H]+ (Figure 5).

3.2.2. O-Alkyl O-Trimethylsilyl Ethylphosphonates

Similar considerations apply to the second group of compounds obtained (Figure 6):

  • (1)

    N-Alkyl derivatives: the protonated [M + H]+ molecule is the primary peak. [M + C2H5]+ and [M + C3H5]+ adducts are clearly visible and confirm the molecular weight (Figure 7A).

  • (2)

    Other primary alkyl derivatives: the protonated molecule is the base peak for 2,2-dimethyl-1-propyl and 3-methyl-1-butyl derivatives. For the other derivatives, it has an intensity above 80% of the base peak. The adducts are visible (Figure 7B). The dominant m/z 183 ion is formed as a result of the cleavage of the alkyl group (Figure 6).

  • (3)

    Unsubstituted cycloalkyl derivatives: the protonated molecule is the base peak for the cyclobutyl derivative and has an intensity of 6 to 60% of the base peak for the other derivatives. The adducts are barely visible. The m/z 183 ion is dominant (Figure 7C).

  • (4)

    Secondary alkyl derivatives: the protonated molecule has an intensity of 12 to 75% of the base peak. In the pinacolyl derivative, the base ion is m/z 339 [M+73]+. The m/z 183 ion predominates as the base ion (Figure 7D).

  • (5)

    With an intensity of 0–100% there is an ion [M + 73]+; it is probably an adduct [M + Si(CH3)3]+ (which is shown in Figure 6).

3.3. Comparison of Retention Parameters

As part of checking the results of the microsynthesis, analyses were carried out in the EI-MS mode toward the determination of retention indices, using the van den Dool and Kratz system, i.e., temperature programmed retention indices. The RI calculation was carried out automatically using the AMDIS program, using a mixture of C7–C30n-alkanes with a concentration of 10 ppm. Even though the stationary phase of the HP-5MS chromatographic column is not dedicated to the separation of optically active analytes, in the case of this class of alkyl diesters, three peaks were observed in some cases in the chromatograms (Figure 8). This may be additional information to support the identification process. In the case of ethylpyrophosphonates, which are byproducts of microsynthesis, instead of individual peaks, groups of peaks are observed (Figure 9).

Figure 8.

Figure 8

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Chromatogram showing three peaks for the di-2-pentyl derivative of ethylphosphonic acid.

Figure 9.

Figure 9

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Chromatogram showing two peaks for the dipinacolyl ethylphosphonic acid derivative and a group of peaks for the ethylpyrophosphonic acid derivative.

An attempt to systematize the retention parameters is as follows. The relationship between n-alkyl and unsubstituted cycloalkyl derivatives is obvious.

To verify the correctness of the proposed series of homologues, the extrapolated retention index values were compared with the data from the OCADv24 library (Table 3).

Table 3. Comparison of Library Retention Indices to Those Calculated for Selected Derivatives.

Lp. Derivative library RI calculated RI Difference: RI lib – RI cal
1 bis(2-heptyl) (Figure 10) 1828 1850 –22
2 mono 2-heptyl (Figure 10) 1529 1520 9
3 bis(2-octyl) (Figure 10) 2008 2024 –16
4 mono 2-octyl (Figure 10) 1618 1603 15
5 bis(4-methyl-1-pentyl) (Figure 14) 1768 1778 –10
6 mono 4-methyl-1-pentyl (Figure 14) 1483 1494 –11
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Based on the example relationships shown in Table 3, it can be concluded that the suggested homologue series are correct and can support the identification process of this class of compounds. Additionally, the determined equations allow for determining the retention index for selected derivatives.

4. Conclusions

In order to carry out comparative studies, microsyntheses of 32 dialkyl derivatives of ethylphosphonic acid and the same amount of monoalkyl derivatives were performed. The synthesis yields toward diesters differed depending on the alcohol used. Unbranched n-alcohols were the most reactive, but their reactivity decreased with an increase in alkyl chain length. Primary branched alcohols and secondary (including cyclo) alcohols were less reactive. Microsyntheses were carried out to obtain symmetrical diesters; however, based on the analyzes carried out, it can be concluded that under these conditions (in some cases) also appropriate ethylpyrophosphonates were formed.

During the experiments conducted using chemical ionization, protonated analyte molecules with high relative intensities were obtained. In many cases, these are the base peaks in the spectrum. This is a definite advantage of this technique compared to electron beam ionization.

The obtained results allowed the group of synthesized compounds to depend on the structure of the introduced alkyl substituent. They were divided into derivatives of primary and secondary alcohols. Under the applied test conditions, n-alkyl diesters and other primary derivatives form protonated molecules, which are the base peaks in the CI mass spectrum. Secondary dialkyl derivatives (except cyclobutyl and 2-propyl) form protonated molecules of lower intensity. In the case of monoesters, the n-alkyl derivatives behave as in the case of diesters. However, only for the other two primary derivatives (2,2-dimethyl-1-propyl and 3-methyl-1-butyl), the protonated molecule is a primary peak. Secondary derivatives of monoesters behave similarly to diesters, except for the 2-propyl derivative.

For some compounds, it was not possible to obtain protonated molecules or their relative intensities were below 10%. The solution may be to change the operating parameters of the spectrometer, including by lowering the temperature of the ion source and the energy of the electron beam.

Retention data of the tested analytes were collected during the experiments by using electron beam ionization. We observed regularities in the increase of retention indices for several series of homologues. They are shown in Figures 10–17. The presented relations can be used to estimate the retention parameters of subsequent higher representatives of the proposed series. They will also be used for comparison with data obtained during planned analogous studies with derivatives of other alkylphosphonic acids.

Figure 10.

Figure 10

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Dependence of the retention index of mono- and di-n-alkyl derivatives of ethylphosphonic acid on the number of carbon atoms in the n-alkyl substituent.

Figure 17.

Figure 17

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Dependence of the retention index of mono- and dialkyl derivatives of ethylphosphonic acid on the number of carbon atoms in the 2-alkylbutyl substituent.

Figure 11.

Figure 11

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Dependence of the retention index of mono- and dicycloalkyl derivatives of ethylphosphonic acid on the number of carbon atoms in the cycloalkyl ring.

Figure 12.

Figure 12

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Dependence of the retention index of mono- and dialkyl derivatives of ethylphosphonic acid on the number of carbon atoms in the 2-alkenyl substituent.

Figure 13.

Figure 13

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Dependence of the retention index of mono- and dialkyl derivatives of ethylphosphonic acid on the number of carbon atoms in the 1-alkylpropyl substituent.

Figure 14.

Figure 14

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Dependence of the retention index of mono- and dialkyl derivatives of ethylphosphonic acid on the number of carbon atoms in the 2-alkylpropyl substituent.

Figure 15.

Figure 15

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Dependence of the retention index of mono- and dialkyl derivatives of ethylphosphonic acid on the number of carbon atoms in the dialkylcarbinol substituent.

Figure 16.

Figure 16

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Dependence of the retention index of mono- and dialkyl derivatives of ethylphosphonic acid on the number of carbon atoms in the (ω – 1)-methylalkyl substituent.

During the research, five compounds were synthesized, listed in the Introduction, whose spectra do not appear in EI mass spectral libraries, and their retention indices were not known. The identification of these substances was supported by the CI mass spectra and retention data using previously developed relationships.

The CI spectra of the 1-undecyl and 1-dodecyl derivatives are analogous to the spectral patterns of the lower n-alkyl homologues. In the case of both diesters and monoesters, protonated molecules are the base peak and there are [M + C2H5]+ and [M + C3H5]+ adducts. In diesters there are characteristic peaks m/z 111 and in monoesters there are characteristic peaks m/z 167 and 183. The retention indices of these compounds lie on characteristic trend lines, respectively, for both types of n-alkyl derivatives.

The spectral data of the next synthesized compound, O-cyclobutyl O-TMS ethylphosphonate, retain the rule of its higher homologues, so there is a high-intensity protonated molecule peak and characteristic peaks m/z 167 and 183. The retention index correlates with the trend of the unsubstituted cycloalkyl derivatives.

Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that the research method used is useful and effective.

Acknowledgments

This research was financed by Military University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland, under the research project UGB/22-722/2024.

The authors declare no competing financial interest.

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