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(B)
2,4,6-TNT 2,3,4-TNT
× 50
2,4,5-TNT m/z 227
m/z 227
Mass Range 2,3,6-TNT
225.5 - 226.5+ m/z 227
226.5 - 227.5

× 5
Mass Range
167.5 - 168.5

2,4-DNT
× 2 m/z 182

Mass Range
181.5 - 182.5

1,3,5-TNB
× 3 m/z 213

Mass Range
212.5 - 213.5

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32
Retention Time (min)

Figure 6.8 LC/MS-APCI mass chromatograms of a landmine TNT sample.
(Reprinted from Zhao, X. and Yinon, J., Characterization and origin identification
of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene through its by-product isomers by liquid chromatography
– atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry, J. Chromatogr.
A, 946, 125, 2002. Copyright 2002, with permission from Elsevier Science.)

APCI mass chromatograms of TNT samples from Russia, from an unknown
landmine, from the U.K., and from Canada, respectively. Identification of
the various byproducts was confirmed by MS/MS-CID. The differences in
the profiles were used to characterize the various TNT samples.
Figure 6.11 gives the LC/MS-APCI mass chromatogram of a 4-times
crystallized TNT sample, showing that purification of TNT can eliminate all
the byproducts. Such purification is not being done in the manufacturing

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