Negative-Ion Fast Atom Bombardment Mass Spectrometry of Sulfonylurea Herbicides

Abstract

Seven sulfonylurea herbicides were studied using negative-ion fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry (FAB-MS). The spectra were characteristic of the structure of the examined herbicides with fragmentation at the sulfonylurea bridge representing both aromatic moieties. The fragmentation pattern was established based on the FAB-B/E mass spectrome-try/mass spectrometry linked-scan spectra. Background-subtracted negative ion FAB-MS spectra of the herbicides exhibit [M–1]⁻ peaks and their fragmentation products. Application of triethylenetetramine as a FAB matrix resulted in enhanced fragmentation. The 3-nitrobenzyl alcohol FAB spectra typically exhibited high-abundance [M–1]⁻ peaks and fewer fragment peaks.