Determination and mass spectrometric investigation of a new mixed halogenated persistent component in fish and seal

An unknown component that caused an intense signal in sample extracts of fish tissue was enriched and investigated using a variety of mass spectrometric techniques coupled to gas chromatographic separation. With the help of electron capture negative ion mass spectrometry (ECNI-MS) and electron impact mass spectrometry (EI-MS) it was established that the component carries 2Br and 3Cl atoms and forms a molecular ion at m/z396. A concentrated solution of this mixed halogenated compound (MHC-1) was investigated by gas chromatography interfaced to electron impact high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC/EI-HRMS). Using full scan and SIM techniques, the molecular formula of MHC-1 was established to be C10H13Br2Cl3. This points toward MHC-1 having a monoterpene backbone. No chemical with this molecular formula has been synthesized, but two components with this composition have been earlier isolated from marine algae.