Application of molecular dynamics simulation to improve the theoretical prediction for collisional cross section of aromatic compounds with long alkyl chains in crude oils.

RATIONALE: Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with finite temperature were performed to improve the theoretical prediction of collisional cross section (CCS) values, especially for aromatic compounds containing long alkyl chains.

METHODS: In this study, the CCS values of 11 aromatic compounds with long alkyl chains were calculated by MD simulations while considering internal energy at 300, 500, and 700 K, and the results were compared with experimentally determined values.

RESULTS: The CCS values calculated at higher energies showed better agreement with the experimental values. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as pentacene and benz[b]anthracene were also investigated, and better agreement between the theoretical and experimental results was observed when higher temperature (or higher internal energy) was considered.

CONCLUSIONS: The data presented in this study show that the internal degrees of freedom of ions must be considered to accurately predict the CCS values of aromatic compounds with a flexible structure measured by ion mobility mass spectrometry.