Differentiating Toxic and Nontoxic Tricresyl Phosphate Isomers Using Ion–Molecule Reactions with Oxygen

Ortho-substituted isomers of tricresyl phosphates (TCPs) and their toxic metabolites (e.g., CBDP: cresyl saligenin phosphate) can cause neurotoxic effects in humans. When TCP is introduced to an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization source using gas chromatography, radical cations M^•+ are formed by charge exchange. The mass spectrum of an ortho-substituted isomer displays two intense peaks that are absent in the spectra of …