Quantification of short chain amines in aqueous matrices using liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Abstract A new liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC–ESI–MS/MS) method was developed for the determination of more than 20 C 1 -C 6 alkyl and alkanolamines in aqueous matrices. The method employs Hydrophilic Interaction Liquid Chromatography Multiple Reaction Monitoring (HILIC-MRM) with a ZIC-pHILIC column and four stable isotope labeled amines as internal standards for signal normalization and quantification of the amines. The method was validated using a refinery process water sample that was obtained from a cooling cycle of crude oil distillation. The averaged within run precision, between run precision and accuracy were generally within 2–10%, 1–9% and 80–120%, respectively, depending on the analyte and concentration level. Selected aqueous process samples were analyzed with the method.