Reliable Comparison of Electron Ionization Mass Spectra Recorded Under Identical Experimental Conditions

ABSTRACT For the most reliable identification by means of electron ionization mass spectrometry, the full mass spectra of unknown compound and possible candidate should be recorded under identical experimental conditions and compared. The main problem is how to compare full mass spectra, which may contain a lot of peaks. We have proposed a new approach (based on using principal component analysis) for the reliable comparison of electron ionization mass spectra recorded under identical experimental conditions. Applicability of the approach has been demonstrated on the example of xylenol isomers.