Use of small diameter WCOT columns for ultra-high resolution GC/MS

For clinical and environmental analyses utilizing capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), increased sensitivity and speed of analysis are highly desirable. These performance advantages are realized using a WCOT column of 100 μm i.d. as compared to the more conventional 200 μm i.d. capillary columns. The improved sensitivity of capillary direct GC/MS with the 100 μm i.d. column for the confirmation of drugs of abuse will be demonstrated. For environmental analysis, the superior efficiency and resolution of the 100 μm i.d. column can be employed for the separation of priority pollutants. This approach is more amenable to capillary direct GC/MS providing a more effective interface to the mass spectrometer. As a result improved sensitivity and a considerable decrease in analysis time is achieved over that obtained with the larger diameter environmental specialty phase columns.     

Determination of polychlorinated biphenyls in sediment by on-line narrow-bore column liquid chromatography/capillary gas chromatography

Narrow-bore column liquid chromatography coupled on-line with capillary gas chromatography (LC/GC) is used for the determination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in sediment via a heart-cutting technique. This method is compared with a method in which two off-line column clean-up steps are used with subsequent analysis by capillary gas chromatography. For the LC/GC analysis the recovery of PCBs was 90–100%. For two sediment samples from the river Meuse the LC/GC and the other, more laborious method showed good agreement.     

Separation of phytosterol oxidation products by combination of different polarity gas chromatography capillary columns

The number of characterized phytosterol oxidation products (POPs) from both ring- and side-chain structures has increased during recent decades, resulting in difficulties in the separation of POPs on different gas chromatography (GC) capillary columns. The main objective of this study was to separate a mixture of 29 purified and characterized oxidation products from sito-, campe- and stigmasterol using GC capillary columns with different polarity. For the first time in the area of POPs analysis, the separation efficiency of the combination of two capillary GC columns with different polarities was investigated. A non-polar 5% phenyl coated (DB5-MS) and a mid-polar 35% phenyl coated (DB35-MS) column was combined with a pressfit connector. The main improvement was enhanced base line separation for many of the analyzed POPs, compared with the separations achieved using the individual columns. However, three pairs of POPs co-eluted: 24-hydroxysitosterol/campesterol-5beta,6beta-epoxide, stigmasterol-5beta,6beta-epoxide/campesterol-5alpha,6alpha-epoxide and stigmasterol-5alpha,6alpha-epoxide/campestanetriol.     

A high resolution GC-analysis method for determination of C2-C10 hydrocarbons in air samples

An analytical method for the determination of non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC) in air was developed using simultaneously pressure and temperature programmed gas chromatography (GC) on a capillary column. The separation of C2-C10 hydrocarbons was performed in a single GC-run using a fused silica capillary column (FSCC) with a chemically bonded non-polar stationary phase (CP-Sil-5-CB). A combination of on-column cryofocusing and GC reinjection provided baseline separation of C2 hydrocarbons at subambient initial temperature (?40°C). The cryofocusing was performed on the column head immersed in liquid nitrogen. Quantitative retention of all C2-C10 hydrocarbons was achieved only when a temperature gradient is created along the cooled column section. The focused components are eluted from the column head without supplementary heating by removing the coolant. To eliminate matrix effects, the enrichment procedure was designed to remove CO₂ and H₂O. The detection limit was found to be 2.0 × 10^?12 g propane.     

High-speed capillary gas chromatography for determination of inhalation anesthetics

To increase sample throughput for GC analysis of inhalation anaesthetics without affecting the separation of nitrous oxide (N2O) and halogenated anaesthetics (sevoflurane, isoflurane and halothane), we explored the effectiveness of a tailor-shortened (12 m) PlotQ capillary column and developed a high-speed version of a previously reported GC technique (involving chromatographic separation of analytes using a GC-MS system, coupled with a selected ion monitoring (SIM) method to increase sensitivity). Efficient separation and repeatable results were achieved at a reduced runtime of approximately 7 min (versus 18 min with the original method) at a carrier gas flow of 1.5 ml/min. This approach should more than double the previous throughput.     

Analysis of complex samples by solvating gas chromatography (supercritical fluid to gas transition)

The various forms of chromatography are primarily determined by differences in the physical state of the mobile phases. The main chromatographic categories include gas chromatography (GC), liquid chromatography, and supercritical fluid chromatography. Adjusting a temperature and pressure will change the mobile phase from liquid to supercritical fluid to gas, with concomitant changes in their physical properties. In this paper, the technique transition-phase chromatography (TPC) is described. In TPC, different mobile phase conditions exist inside the column. This phase transformation within the column results in huge differences in density, solvating power, viscosity, diffusivity, and, as a consequence, in the chromatographic properties of the mobile phase. TPC experiments using capillary columns packed in our laboratory have shown that when the mobile phase is transformed from supercritical fluid to gas, high column efficiencies can be achieved. The transition from supercritical fluid to gas (also called solvating GC), a particular case of the TPC, is evaluated for the separation of complex real samples (environmental, food, and fuels).     

Comparison of two-stage retention index monitoring capillary gas chromatography and selected ion monitoring capillary gas chromatography – mass spectrometry as analytical tools

Two-stage capillary GC with two-stage retention index monitoring is an efficient analytical technique which can be used for detection and determination of small amounts of volatile compounds in complex mixtures of hundreds or thousands of other compounds. The system employs two capillary columns, coated with different stationary phases, connected on-line with the aid of a micro valve; the first column acts as a pre-separating unit from which unresolved fractions of interest are cut (transferred) into another column for final, interference-free separation of the compounds to be determined. This technique has been compared with selected ion monitoring capillary GC-MS using a hydrocarbon mixture as a test sample for comparing resolution, repeatability, and the practical usefulness of the techniques. Results indicate that two-stage capillary GC is very useful for mixtures containing compounds which produce mostly non-specific ions in the MS ion source whereas compounds producing specific ions can be easily analyzed by capillary GC – single ion monitoring MS even if they are not perfectly separated by a single capillary column.     

Separation of positional isomers by the use of coupled shape-selective stationary phase columns

The successful separation of 2- and 3-methyl-substituted positional isomers of butanol, butyl acetate, and butanoic acid and its ethyl ester, is reported. These compounds are of interest in the study of wine flavour, however the separation of the 2- and 3-methyl isomers may present problems, and more so in the presence of the wine matrix components, when single capillary column gas chromatography (GC) is used. The strategy to achieve separation was based on the use of shape-selective cyclodextrin derivative (CDD) capillary columns (commonly referred to as chiral columns). These columns provide simultaneous resolution of the enantiomeric pairs of the 2-methyl isomers, and at the same time the ability to separate the 3-methyl isomer from the 2-methyl is achieved in all but the case of the ( S)-2- and 3-methylbutanol. The advantages of using shape-selective columns to perform this study is demonstrated, with coupling of two CDD columns giving improved separations of these compounds. Although these compounds are relatively volatile, cryogenic modulated comprehensive two-dimensional GC was shown to provide good pulsed peak profiles with chiral separation in the first dimension when a thicker film trapping column segment was employed. The components of interest were well separated from other wine matrix components.     

Characterization of high performance glass capillary gas chromatography

Summary High resolution gas chromatography requires the highest performance characteristics of gas chromatographic systems in terms of sampling and sample handling in strumentation, columns, and data handling. This paoper describes high precision computer measurements for characterizing capillary column efficiencies which are within 75% of the theoretical limit of capillary GC. Particular emphasis is given to detailed peak shape analysis, measurement accuracy and reproducibility, and system stability. Using known instrument performance parameters, it is then possible to characterize column performance with high accuracy in a meaningful manner. It is proposed that wall-coated tubular columns be characterized in terms of their chromatographic performance by the following parameters: Trennzahl (separation number), number of theoretical plates/meter, program temperature beseline stability, acid-base ratio, and the coefficient of skewness for 1-octanol. Statistical moments (m2) and hybrid moments are used to describe capillary column chromatographic performance because they may be related to basic physico-chemical column processes. These measurements are very sensitive parameters for characterizing GC columns. Using an online computer-based data system, the limits of capillary GC are shown to be limited by the sampling and injection steps.     

Evaluation of use of a very short polar microbore column segment in high-speed gas chromatography analysis

Very fast GC analyses are commonly carried out by using 10 m x 0.1 mm id capillaries. In order to achieve rapid elution times (1-3 min), the latter are operated under suboptimum conditions. The present research is focused on the evaluation of use of a 0.1 mm id polar column segment (2 m), operated under near-to-optimum conditions, in very fast GC analysis. The results attained are compared with those derived from using a 10 m microbore column in very fast GC experiments. Prior to method development, the effects of gas velocity, temperature program rate, and sample amounts on analytical performance were evaluated. Following these preliminary applications, a complex lipidic sample, cod liver oil, was subjected to rapid separation (approximately 2.1 min) on the 10 m capillary through the application of a 50 degrees C/min temperature rate and a 130 cm/s gas velocity. The same matrix was analyzed on the 2 m capillary using the same temperature program rate and range, but with a close-to-ideal linear velocity. The results observed were of interest, as the separation was achieved in less time (1.45 min) with improved peak resolution. Finally, both methods were validated in terms of retention time and peak area repeatability, LOQ, and linearity.     

Increasing selectivity in comprehensive three-dimensional gas chromatography via an ionic liquid stationary phase column in one dimension

Recent advances in improving the selectivity and performance for a comprehensive, three-dimensional (3D) gas chromatograph (GC³) instrument are described. With GC³, two six-port diaphragm valves are utilized as the interfaces between three, in-series capillary columns housed in a standard GC instrument fitted with a high data acquisition rate flame ionization detector (FID). Modulation periods for sampling from one column to the next are set so that sufficient slices (i.e., modulations) are acquired by the subsequent dimension resulting in comprehensive data. We present GC³ instrumentation with significantly higher 3D peak capacity than previously reported. An average peak capacity production (i.e., per time) of 180 resolved peaks per minute was experimentally achieved for three representative analytes in a 3D diesel sample separation. This peak capacity production is about 4 times higher than our previous report. We also demonstrate the significant benefit of the added chemical selectivity of the three column GC³ instrument relative to a two column GC × GC instrument, in which one of the three columns is a triflate ionic liquid stationary phase column with a high selectivity for phosphonated compounds (i.e., di-methyl-methyl phosphonate, di-ethyl-methyl phosphonate and di-isopropyl-methyl phosphonate). Using all three separation dimensions, the 2D separation fingerprint of a diesel sample is simultaneously obtained along with selective information regarding the phosphonated compounds in the diesel samples in the additional dimension.     

Short metal capillary columns packed with polymer-coated fibrous materials in high-temperature gas chromatography

The high-temperature gas chromatographic (GC) separation of several semivolatile compounds is studied with a short metal capillary column packed with fibrous material, having a polydimethylsiloxane coating thereon. Taking advantage of the excellent heat-resistance of the fiber and also the combination of the surface-deactivated metal capillary, a temperature-programmed separation up to 450 degrees C is successfully demonstrated for the separation of polymer standard samples. The average molecular weight of the commercially-available polymer standard samples for size exclusion chromatography (SEC) is estimated by high-temperature GC analysis and compared with the nominal value determined by a conventional SEC method. Although a slight deviation for the number-average molecular weight is observed between the GC and SEC analysis, the data for the weight-average molecular weight shows a good agreement in these methods. The results also suggest the future possibility of the fiber-packed metal capillary as a miniaturized GC column with an increased sample loading capacity.     

Development and evaluation of a GC/FID method for the analysis of free amino acids in quince fruit and jam.

A GC/FID methodology for determination of twenty-one free amino acids in quince fruit (pulp and peel) and jam is described. The sample preparation was simple, involving a SCX Solid-Phase Extraction (SPE) purification step and a fast derivatization with ethyl chloroformate for gas chromatographic analysis. The chromatographic separation was achieved using a CP-Sil 19 CB wcot fused-silica capillary column. Under the chosen conditions, with temperature and pressure programming, this capillary column was able to separate all the amino acids not only in a short time but also with good separation. The GC/FID procedure is rapid, sensitive, reproducible and accurate. The detection limit values for amino acids were low, between 0.004 and 0.115 microg/mL, and the method was precise. As a general rule, the recovery values were high. Due to its rapidity and low cost, this technique can be useful in the quality control of quince products.     

Temperature‐programmed multicapillary gas chromatograph microcolumn for the analysis of odorous sulfur pollutants

We report the fabrication and performance of a silicon‐on‐glass micro gas chromatography eight‐capillary column based on microelectromechanical systems technology that is 50 cm long, 30 μm wide, and 300 μm deep. According to the theory of a gas chromatography column, an even gas flow among different capillaries play a vital role in the peak broadening. Thus, a flow splitter structure is designed by the finite element method through the comparison of the velocity distributions of the eight‐capillary columns with and without splitter as well as an open tubular column. The simulation results reveal that eight‐capillary column with flow splitters can receive more uniform flow velocity in different capillaries, hence decreases the peak broadening and in turn increases the separation efficiency. The separation experiment results show that the separation efficiency of about 22 000 plates/m is achieved with the chip column temperature programmed for analysis of odorous sulfur pollutants. This figure is nearly two times higher than that of the commercial capillary column coated the similar stationary phase. And the separation time of all the components in the microcolumn is less than 3.8 min, which is faster than the commercial capillary column.     

Reaction gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Part IX: Post-column hydrodesulfurization in capillary GC/MS as an aid in structure elucidation of cyclic sulfides within mixtures

This article describes a method that assists in structure determination of cyclic sulfides mixtures by GC/MS. The method involves the use of a gas-phase hydrodesulfurization microreactor (AP-56 catalyst, reaction temperture 300-315°C, hydrogen as a carrier and reagent gas) located between the capillary column (OV-17) and the mass spectrometer. The presence of a microreactor in such a position does not essentially affect the chromatographic separation achieved by using the capillary column. Combined analysis of the mass spectra registered for the original sulfides and the hydrodesulfurization products permits the structure determination of each effluent to be made more reliably. This is illustrated by the investigation of a reaction mixture containing the structural and geometric isomers of methyl-substituted thiabicyclononanes.     

Isolation of free phenolic compounds from arboreal leaves by use of the Florisil/C<Subscript>18</Subscript> system

In studies of the phenolic compounds present in leaves and needles, GC and GC–MS have so far been applied only sporadically. This is probably because of the greater difficulties encountered in preparing the samples for this method than those used for liquid chromatography. When preparing a sample for gas chromatography the analyst is faced with two difficult stages—separation of the compound from the matrix without losses (stage 1) so that the final sample can be derivatized to make it suitable for analysis on a non-polar capillary column of the gas chromatograph (stage 2). This paper presents a procedure for extraction of phenolic compounds from the matrix by means of a Florisil/C₁₈ sorbent system and their analysis by GC. After passage through the adsorbents the recovery ranges from 32% for ferulic acid to 88% for gentisic acid. It was found that this extraction method and the GC analysis are very precise (particularly for samples of a mass <1 g) and can be used for quantification. The high-precision quantification of 15 phenolic acids, shikimic acid, and six other compounds present in pine needles has been achieved. The conditions used for GC analysis and construction of calibration curves for quantitative determination are given.     

Modification of a packed GC injector to a versatile capillary injector

A modification of a packed GC injector to a capillary injector is presented using a simple device which is connected to the GC column by an adsorption-free connector. It permits injections of large sample volumes up to 500 μl hexane solutions on normal 0.3 mm i.d. capillary columns. No special requirements for the stationary phase are necessary. Involatile residues remain inside the device which can be exchanged easily. High performance of separation and quantification is achieved.     

A Robust Thermal Modulator for Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography

In comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC), two capillary columns are connected in series through an interface known as a “thermal modulator”. This device transforms effluent from the first capillary column into a series of sharp injection-like chemical pulses suitable for high-speed chromatography on the second column. Dramatic increases in the resolving power, sensitivity, and speed of the gas chromatograph result. This paper describes the development of a robust and reliable thermal modulator for GC×GC.     

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography, retention indices and time-of-flight mass spectra of flavonoids and chalcones

The applicability of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC) for flavonoids analysis was investigated by separation and identification of flavonoids in standards, and a complex matrix natural sample. The modulation temperature was optimized to achieve the best separation and signal enhancement. The separation pattern of trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivatives of flavonoids was compared on two complementary column sets. Whilst the BPX5/BPX50 (NP/P) column set offers better overall separation, BPX50/BPX5 (P/NP) provides better peak shape and sensitivity. Comparison of the identification power of GC×GC-TOFMS against both the NIST05 MS library and a laboratory (created in-house) TOFMS library was carried out on a flavonoid mixture. The basic retention index information on high-performance capillary columns with a non-polar stationary phase was established and database of mass spectra of trimethylsilyl derivatives of flavonoids was compiled. TOFMS coupled to GC×GC enabled satisfactory identification of flavonoids in complex matrix samples at their LOD over a range of 0.5-10 μg/mL. Detection of all compounds was based on full-scan mass spectra and for each compound a characteristic ion was chosen for further quantification. This study shows that GC×GC-TOFMS yields high specificity for flavonoids derived from real natural samples, dark chocolate, propolis, and chrysanthemum.     

Enantiomeric separation of chiral polychlorinated biphenyls on beta-cyclodextrin capillary columns by means of heart-cut multidimensional gas chromatography and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography. Application to food samples

Three commercially available chiral capillary columns, Chirasil-Dex, BGB-176SE, and BGB-172, have been evaluated for the separation into enantiomers of the 19 chiral polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) congeners stable at room temperature. The enantiomers of 15 chiral PCBs were, at least to some extent, separated using these beta-cyclodextrin based columns. Multidimensional techniques, such as heart-cut multi-dimensional gas chromatography (heart-cut MDGC) and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC x GC), were investigated for their ability to solve coelution problems with other PCBs present in commercial mixtures and real-life samples. Heart-cut MDGC improved the separation as compared to one-dimensional GC, and enantiomeric fractions of the investigated chiral PCBs could be determined free from interferences. However, limitations on the number of target compounds that can be transferred to the second column in a single run and, therefore, the time consumption, have led to the evaluation of GC x GC as an alternative for this type of analysis. With GC x GC, two column set-ups were tested, both having a chiral column as first-dimension column, and two different polar stationary phase columns in the second dimension. On using both column combinations, congeners 84, 91, 95, 132, 135, 136, 149, 174, and 176 could be determined free from coelutions with other PCBs. Results on the application of heart-cut MDGC to food samples such as milk and cheese are given, as well as the first results on the application of GC x GC to this type of samples.