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image/svg+xml Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao Closed Access logo, derived from PLoS Open Access logo. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Closed_Access_logo_transparent.svg Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao Organic Mass Spectro...arrow_drop_down
image/svg+xml Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao Closed Access logo, derived from PLoS Open Access logo. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Closed_Access_logo_transparent.svg Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao
Organic Mass Spectrometry
Article . 2026 . Peer-reviewed
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Mass Spectrometric Identification and Isomer Differentiation of Novichok‐Related Ethanimidamides

Authors: Havva Bekiroğlu Ataş;

Mass Spectrometric Identification and Isomer Differentiation of Novichok‐Related Ethanimidamides

Abstract

ABSTRACT Chemical warfare agent (CWA) analysis faces a significant challenge when degradation or precursor compounds lack reference spectra in databases. This study focuses on three structural isomers, N ‐methyl‐ N ‐propylethanimidamide, N ‐methyl‐ N ‐isopropylethanimidamide, and N,N ‐diethylethanimidamide, which are relevant hydrolysis by‐products/precursors of Novichok nerve agents (Schedule 1.A.13/1.A.14) yet are absent from standard spectral libraries. All three isomers were synthesized and then comprehensively characterized by gas chromatography–electron ionization mass spectrometry (GC‐EI‐MS), gas chromatography–chemical ionization mass spectrometry (GC‐CI‐MS), and liquid chromatography–high‐resolution mass spectrometry (LC‐HRMS). Distinctive fragmentation signatures were identified for each isomer. Trimethylsilyl derivatization of the ethanimidamides enhanced GC performance and revealed additional diagnostic ions. LC‐HRMS results confirmed the fragment formulas and allowed unambiguous differentiation based on key ion intensity ratios. This work provides the first systematic mass spectral data for these Novichok‐related ethanimidamides. The value of these reference spectra was demonstrated in the 57 th OPCW Proficiency Test (PT‐57): an unknown spiking chemical was successfully identified as N ‐methyl‐ N ‐propylethanimidamide by comparison to the generated spectra. The study thus delivers new analytical capabilities for CWA forensics—enabling confident identification of challenging isomeric degradation products through a combination of tailored derivatization, multimode mass spectrometry, and expert interpretation of fragmentation pathways.

Keywords

Isomerism, Chemical Warfare Agents, Nerve Agents, Amides, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, Chromatography, Liquid

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
1
Top 10%
Average
Average
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