Rapid LC-MS/MS Analysis of 19 Explosives in Soil

User Benefits

- Simultaneous measurement of positive and negative ions enables the analysis of 19 explosives in about 5 minutes. - Thermally labile explosives can be detected with high sensitivity under optimized MS conditions. - Regioisomers of nitrobenzenes can be separated under optimal LC conditions.

Introduction

Explosives are defined as chemical substances that decompose rapidly and release high-temperature, high-pressure gases. There are many types of explosives, including nitramines, nitrobenzenes, nitrates, and peroxides. While these are widely used for military and industrial purposes, they may remain in the environment due to accidental leakage or illegal use. In particular, soil tends to retain explosives and their residues. The analysis of these substances is useful for evidence collection in criminal investigations and for assessing environmental impacts. Traditionally, GC-MS has been widely used for the analysis of explosives. However, some compounds are prone to thermal decomposition during vaporization. Therefore, LC-MS/MS methods are increasingly being applied to such analyses. In this study, 19 explosives listed in Table 1, including nitramine, nitrobenzene, nitrate ester, and peroxide, were analyzed in soil using LCMS-8060RX.

July 16, 2026 GMT