The determination of the linear alkylbenzene sulfonate isomers in water samples by gas-chromatography/mass spectrometry

A number of 20 compounds of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LASs) family were identified by electron impact mass spectrometry (EI-MS) in water samples collected from wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). This paper presents the mass spectra of 20 compounds, the proposed mechanism of formation of the diagnostic ions obtained by EI-MS and the distribution of individual isomers in water samples collected from compartments of WWTP. The individual isomers from four homolog series C10-, C11-, C12- and C13-LAS were analyzed as methyl derivatives.