Determination of genotoxic impurities of alkyl methanesulfonates in methanesulfonic acid by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

An analytical liquid-liquid extraction-gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (LLE-GC-MS) method was established for the determination of genotoxic impurities including methyl methanesulfonate (MMS), ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) and isopropyl methanesulfonate (IMS) in methanesulfonic acid. An Agilent HP-1MS capillary column (30 m × 0.32 m, 1 μm) was used for separating the analytes by programmed heating with the inlet temperature of 220 °C. Mass spectrometry was operated in positive ion mode, and selective ion monitors were set at m/z 80 for MMS, m/z 79 for EMS, m/z 123 for IMS and m/z 56 for internal standard butyl methanesulfonate (BMS). Results showed that the baseline separation of MMS, EMS and IMS was achieved, and the blank extraction solution had no interference; good linearity was achieved in the range of 37-1 480 ng/mL for three alkyl methanesulfonates; The mean recoveries of MMS, EMS, IMS were 104.99%, 107.26%,108.85%, respectively, with RSD ≤ 4.54%. The established method has the characteristics of good specific, sensitive, accurate, stable and versatility, and has been used for the detection and control of alkyl methanesulfonate impurities in methanesulfonic acid from a variety of manufacturers.