Studies on the analysis of coal-derived liquids by mass spectrometry have been reviewed. The principles and characteristics of a double-focusing mass spectrometer and ionization techniques such as EI, FI, FD and FAB are described. The quantitative aspects of FI and FD mass spectra of coal-derived oil and the effect of FI relative ion sensitivities of oil components on the spectral data are discussed.
The oil sample which has previously been separated into homologous series provides more meaningful mass spectral data in the structural analysis of coal-derived oil. Currently, the combined use of low-voltage EI, FI and FD mass spectrometries and HPLC method gives detailed information on the structural distribution of oil components.
The present review includes the application of FD technique in the analysis of coal and coal-derived materials, the difference spectrum method to study hydrogenation reaction mechanism, and the determination of transferable hydrogen in the reactants by mass spectral method.
