Separation of isomeric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by GC-MS: Differentiation between isomers by positive chemical ionization with ammonia and dimethyl ether as reagent gases

Sixteen PAHs have been separated by GC-MS and some isomeric PAHs were differentiated by positive-ion chemical ionization (PICI) using two different reagent gases, ammonia and dimethyl ether. Differentiation, which was better with DME, was possible on the basis of the identities and relative abundances of the adduct ions.