Organosulfates hold promise for improving the understanding of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formed in the atmosphere from mixtures of biogenic gases and anthropogenic pollutants, but have proved analytically challenging to measure. This study presents a new method of organosulfates isolation and quantification, based upon ultra-performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS/MS). The separation is based upon hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) with amide stationary phase that provides excellent retention of carboxy-organosulfates and methyltetrol-organosulfates. This highly efficient method of separating and quantifying organosulfates is used to evaluate two methods of ambient PM<sub>2.5</sub> sample extraction (sonication and rotary-shaking). It also provides the first measurements of hydroxyacetone sulfate in ambient PM<sub>2.5</sub>. In addition, a straightforward protocol for the preparation of highly pure organosulfates potassium salts for use as quantification standards is presented.

Determination of atmospheric organosulfates using HILIC chromatography with MS detection

249th National Meeting (2015)

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