Determination of acetaldehyde in tobacco smoke using N-methyl-4-hydrazino-7-nitrobenzofurazan are liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry

A liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) method for the determinat ion of carbonyl compounds based on derivatization with N-methyl-4-hydrazino -7-nitrobenzofurazan (MNBDH) has been developed. Atmospheric pressure chemi cal ionization (APCI) in the positive mode proved the most versatile ioniza tion technique fur MNBD-hydrazones. APCI/MS spectra were recorded and the d etection limits were determined for [M+H](+).C-13(2) acetaldehyde MNBD-hydr azone has been synthesized and characterized. It is applied as internal sta ndard for the quantification of acetaldehyde. Tobacco smoke has been invest igated concerning its carbonyl content. Acetaldehyde was identified as main product and quantified by LC/MS using internal standardization. The result is in good agreement to quantification data obtained with UV/vis detection .