Analytical Sciences

Analysis of Disperse Dyes Using Liquid Chromatography/Linear Ion Trap Mass Spectrometry (LC/LIT-MSⁿ) and Database Construction

Takao KATO,*,** Takahisa IKEUE,** Yasuhiro SUZUKI,*** and Makoto HANDA**

*Criminal Investigation Laboratory, Shimane Prefectural Police H.Q., 1751-15 Heisei-cho, Matsue, Shimane 690-8510, Japan
**Department of Chemistry, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Shimane University, 1060 Nishikawatsu-cho, Matsue, Shimane 690-8504, Japan
***National Research Institute of Police Science, 6-3-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan

Liquid chromatography/linear ion trap mass spectrometry (LC/LIT-MSⁿ) was used to construct a database of disperse dyes. Fifty-three standard dyes were subjected to LC/LIT-MSⁿ and characterized based on their mass spectra (MS, MS², and MS³), values of λ_max (maximum absorption wavelength in the UV-visible spectrum), and retention times. The results demonstrate that it is possible to reliably identify coexisting dyes that cannot be separated by LC or detected by diode array detection due to their low molecular absorption coefficients. In addition, the by-products included in the standard dyes were found to provide important information for the identification and discrimination of dyestuffs synthesized using different processes. The confirmation of the effectiveness of LC/LIT-MSⁿ analysis in detecting small amounts of disperse dyes in this study shows its potential for use in the discrimination of dyed fibers obtained at crime scenes.

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