ELECTROCHEMICAL THERMOSPRAY MASS-SPECTROMETRY

Thermospray ionization combined with a quadrupole mass spectrometer was used on line to detect electrochemically generated products directly from solution. To do so, an electrochemical cell was constructed and connected with the mass spectrometer in such a way that the electrolyte was forced by pressure from the working electrode into the heated capillary tube of the thermospray system. The fast response achieved allowed analysis to be performed in parallel with a cyclic voltammetry curve. The utility of the method is demonstrated by means of the electrooxidation of N,N-dimethylaniline in an aqueous medium. The potential-dependent formation of dimers and trimers is shown.