Selective detection of derivatized alcohols and phenols in essential oils by electrospray-tandem mass spectrometry

Primary and secondary alcohols of rose absolute, sandalwood oil and pepperm int oil, together with the phenols of clove oil were selectively derivatize d at ambient temperature using 1-methyl-2-fluoropyridinium tosylate. The al kyl N-methylpyridinium ether derivatives were selectively detected by elect rospray-tandem mass spectrometry (ES-MS/MS) without the need for sample cle anup. ES-MS/MS precursor ion and neutral loss spectra of the unpurified, de rivatized oils revealed the expected compounds. The derivatization ES-MS/MS method provides a rapid, selective, and sensitive means for detection of p rimary and secondary alcohols and phenols in a complex mixture. It does not work for tertiary alcohols or geraniol. The derivatizations were successfu l at micromolar concentrations of the alcohols and detection levels approac hed the 100 amol level. No systematic study of intrasample reproducibility was carried out. The derivatization ES-MS/MS method might be used for the r apid screening of oils for selected alcohols or phenols either for quality control, or for the rapid assessment of a large number of extracts.