Advanced separation techniques combined with mass spectrometry for difficult analytical tasks – isomer separation and oil analysis

This thesis covers two aspects of utilisation of advanced separation technology together with mass spectrometry: 1. Drift tube ion mobility spectrometry – mass spectrometry (IMS-MS) studies of the behaviour of ions in the gas phase and 2. Comprehensive two dimensional gas chromatography – time-offlight mass spectrometry (GC×GC-TOF-MS) studies for characterization of crude oil samples. In IMS studies, the focus was on the separation of isomeric compounds. For example, [M-H]- ions of 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol (2,4-DtBPh) and 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol (2,6-DtBPh) were separated. It was also observed that shielding of the charge site by the functional groups of a molecule has a large effect on the separation of the isomeric compounds. For example, amines with a shielded charge site were separated from those with a more open charge site, while some of the isomeric amines studied were not separated. Different kinds of adduct ions were observed for some of the analytes. Dioxygen adducts were seen for 2,4-DtBPh [M+O2]-, 2,6-di-tert-butylpyridine (2,6-DtBPyr) [M+O2]+· and 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylpyridine (2,6-DtB-4MPyr) [M+O2]+·. The adduct formation increases the total mass of the analyte ion, and therefore, for example the 2,4-DtBPh [M+O2]- ion could be separated from its isomeric compound 2,6-DtBPh [M-H]-, which did not from the dioxygen adduct ion. In the case of 2,6-DtBPyr and 2,6-DtB-4MPyr, the [M]+ ions formed dioxygen adduct [M+O2]+· ions. The both ions, [M]+ and [M+O2]+·, shared the same drift time which was longer than their [M+H]+ ion species. This work demonstrates that measuring with IMS the mobility of different ion structures of the same molecule, especially dioxygen adducts, results in a better understanding of the role of adduct ions in the IMSseparation process. In GC×GC-TOF-MS studies, the focus was on detailed characterization of crude oil samples. For instance, oils from the Recôncavo Basin were classified to two different groups by using minor oil components. The GC×GC-TOF-MS data showed the correlation between 2D retention time and the number of carbons in a ring for several hydrocarbons as known from the literature. This information was used to achieve more structural information about eight new tetracyclic compounds, some of them similar to nor-steranes, detected during analysis. Some of these new compounds could be used as maturity indicators. This study demonstrated how GC×GC-TOF-MS can be used to separate geochemically interested isomers, identify minor geochemical differences between oils and achieve structural information about unknown biomarkers

The Human Dimension of Strategic Management: Past Developments, Future Prospects

This paper examines how Strategic Management is applied to Human Resource Management (HRM). Considering the first steps of strategy, how strategic management came along and how it has been applied in SHRM. Comparing the business strategies used in the past to strategies in use nowadays, with the aim to understand and gain knowledge of what to expect in the future of HRM. Furthermore, analyzing a company’s development as an example, the thesis also focused on Volvo Group`s performance within the years from a strategic management point of view. The research is based only on a secondary source to provide insight of the shifts strategy as a practice has had, the study reflects the growing importance of flexibility and adaptability concerning technology and workforce as they are important elements to business due to the influence over results. The aim of this qualitative research is to have a better understanding about the practices in the past that led to the current strategy implementation processes in businesses, as that knowledge enables us to find out how HRM and SHRM have evolved throughout the years and consequently how the changes are affecting and shaping the future of HRM

Characterization of proton-bound acetate dimers in ion mobility-spectrometry

Ionized acetates were used as model compounds to describe gas-phase behavior of oxygen containing compounds with respect to their formation of dimers in ion mobility spectrometry (IMS). The ions were created using corona discharge at atmospheric pressure and separated in a drift tube before analysis of the ions by mass spectrometry. At the ambient operational temperature and pressure used in our instrument, all acetates studied formed dimers. Using a homolog series of n-alkyl-acetates, we found that the collision cross section of a dimer was smaller than that of a monomer with the same reduced mass. Our experiments also showed that the reduced mobility of acetate dimers with different functional groups increased in the order n-alkyl ≤ branched chain alkyl ≤ cyclo alkyl < aromat. For mixed n-alkyl dimers we found that the reduced mobility of acetate dimers having the same number of carbons, for example a dimer of acetyl acetate and hexyl acetate has the same reduced mobility as a dimer composed of two butyl acetates. The fundamental behavior of acetate monomers and dimers described in this paper will assist in a better understanding of the influence of dimer formation in ion mobility spectrometry