Retention indices in comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography

The identification of compounds by using gas chromatography (GC) in samples with significant complexity comprising a range of isomeric species, where characterization is based on peak retention times and mass spectra, generates uncertainty for the analyst. This leads to identification errors. The most reliable way to confirm the identification of each compound is based on authentic standard co-injection, which in several cases is economically prohibitive, and often unachievable in the time available for analysis. Retention index procedures are important tools to minimize misidentification of compounds in conventional chromatography. The introduction of comprehensive two-dimensional GC (GC × GC) for analysis of complex samples was a decisive step to increase the analytical capacity of chromatographic techniques. For many samples, the chromatographic resolution increase leads to quantitative expansion in the number of peaks identified, compared with conventional GC analysis. Notwithstanding this improved resolution, limitations still persist in correct peak identification, which suggests the use of retention indices may assist in supporting component identification in this important technique. In this work, approaches to use of the retention index in GC × GC are discussed, based on an evaluation of the literature in this area. Interpretation of effective chain length data for fatty acid methyl esters in the first and second dimensions is presented.     

Pulsed flow modulation comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography

Pulsed flow modulation (PFM) is based on higher flow rate time compression of the first GC column effluent, which prior to the injection into the second column is stored for a few seconds in a standard fused silica wide bore transfer line. We constructed the PFM device with two standard 1/16 in. brass compression fittings with the insertion of the two columns inside the wide bore 0.53 mm i.d. fused silica storage transfer line for the elimination of dead volumes. This simple arrangement provides a combination of flexibility in the length of the sample storage transfer line hence comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC x GC) cycle time, inert sample path and full elimination of cooling gas consumption. A record short second column injection time of 20 ms is demonstrated. Practical injection times are the sample collection time (such as 4s) divided by the second to first column flow rate ratio (such as 20/0.7), which is typically around 150 ms. Due to the low cost of the device it can also be considered for use with non comprehensive time segmented GC x GC to remove a few accidental coelutions. PFM-GCxGC excels with high second column capacity due to the use of 0.32 mm i.d. columns with high flow rates as the second dimension GC x GC column. As a result, PFM-GCxGC can have up to two orders of magnitude higher second column sample capacity and linear dynamic range for improved reduction of adverse matrix interference effects due to column overloading.     

Flow-switching device for comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography

A simple flow-switching device has been developed as a differential flow modulator for comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC x GC). The device is assembled from tubing, four tee unions, and a solenoid valve. The solenoid valve is located outside the oven of the gas chromatograph and is not in the sample path. The modulation technique has no inherent temperature restrictions and passes 100% of the primary column effluent to the secondary column(s). Secondary peaks are produced with widths at half maximum less than 100 ms when operating in GC x 2GC mode with a 2.0 s modulation period. The efficacy of this approach is demonstrated through the analysis of a standard mixture of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and diesel fuel.     

Comparative visualization for comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography

This paper investigates methods for comparing datasets produced by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC x GC). Chemical comparisons are useful for process monitoring, sample classification or identification, correlative determinations, and other important tasks. GC x GC is a powerful new technology for chemical analysis, but methods for comparative visualization must address challenges posed by GC x GC data: inconsistency and complexity. The approach extends conventional techniques for image comparison by utilizing specific characteristics of GC x GC data and developing new methods for comparative visualization and analysis. The paper describes techniques that register (or align) GC x GC datasets to remove retention-time variations; normalize intensities to remove sample amount variations; compute differences in local regions to remove slight misregistrations and differences in peak shapes; employ color (hue), intensity, and saturation to simultaneously visualize differences and values; and use tools for masking, three-dimensional visualization, and tabular presentation with controls for graphical highlights to significantly improve comparative analysis of GC x GC datasets. Experimental results indicate that the comparative methods preserve chemical information and support qualitative and quantitative analyses.     

Detector technologies for comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography

The detector is an integral and important part of any chromatographic system. The chromatographic peak profiles (i.e. peak separation) should, ideally, be unaffected by the detector--it should only provide the sensing capacity required at the end of a column separation process. The relatively new technique of comprehensive 2-D GC (GC x GC) extends the performance of GC manyfold, but comes at a price--existing GC systems may not be adequately designed with the requirements of GC x GC in mind. This is primarily the need for precise measurement of very fast peaks entering the detector (e.g. as fast as 50 ms basewidth in some instances). The capacity of the detector to closely track a rapidly changing chromatographic peak profile depends on a number of factors, such as design of flow paths and make-up gas introduction, type of detector response mechanism, and the chemistry of the response. These factors are discussed here as a means to appreciate the technical demands of detection in GC x GC. The MS detector will not be included in this review.     

Molecular interconversion behaviour in comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC x GC) is shown to provide information on dynamic molecular behaviour (interconversion), with the interconversion process occurring on both columns in the coupled-column experiment. The experiment requires suitable adjustment of both experimental conditions and relative dimensions of each of the columns. In this case, a longer column than normally employed in GC x GC allows sufficient retention duration on the second column, which permits the typical plateau-shape recognised for the interconversion process to be observed. The extent of interconversion depends on prevailing temperature, retention time, and the phase type. Polyethylene glycol-based phases were found to result in high interconversion kinetics, although terephthalic acid-terminated polyethylene glycol had a lesser extent of interconversion. Much less interconversion was seen for phenyl-methylpolysiloxane and cyclodextrin phases. This suggests that for the oximes, interconversion largely occurs in the stationary phase. Examples of different extents of interconversion in both dimensions are shown, including peak coalescence on the first column with little interconversion on the second column.     

Semi-rotating cryogenic modulator for comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography

A laboratory-made cryogenic modulator for comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GCxGC) was constructed and evaluated. Analytes were trapped with carbon dioxide and desorbed with heated GC oven air. The GCxGC system included a non-polar first-dimension column and a semi-polar second-dimension column connected to a flame ionisation detector. A laboratory-written Matlab-based program was used for the data analysis. Peak widths at half height for n-alkanes, obtained with use of new modulator, were at narrowest 60 ms.     

Stop-flow comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with pneumatic switching

A new method for performing comprehensive GC x GC in the stop-flow mode is presented. A device was used to pneumatically stop the flow in the first dimension ((1)D) (by applying pressure pulses at the junction between the two columns), while flow was maintained in the second dimension ((2)D). This allowed for better preservation of resolution in the (1)D of the GC x GC chromatograms, and the extension of the (2)D's separation space, reducing or eliminating the extent of wraparound. When increased flow rates in the (2)D were used, sensitivity enhancements were also observed.     

Molecular structure retention relationships in comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC x GC) offers new opportunities to develop relationships between molecular structure and retentions in the two dimensional (2D) separation space defined by the GC x GC retention in each dimension. Whereas single dimension GC provides only one retention property for a solute, and hence the specific relationship between retention and chemical property is not readily apparent or derivable, the 2D presentation of compounds in GC x GC provides a subtle and exquisite correlation of chemical property and retention unlike any other GC experiment. The 'orthogonality' of the two separation dimensions is intimately related to the manner in which different separation mechanisms, available through use of two dissimilar phases, are accessible to the different chemical compounds or classes in a sample mixture, and indeed the specific chemical classes present in the sample. The GC x GC experiment now permits various processes such as chemical decompositions, molecular interconversions, various non-linear chromatography effects, and processes such as slow reversible interactions that may arise with stationary phases or in the injector or column couplings, to be identified and further investigated. Here, we briefly review implementation of the GC x GC method, consider the molecular selectivity of GC x GC, and highlight a selection of molecular processes that can be probed by using GC x GC.     

Simple calibration procedure for comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography

Mass transfer from the first-dimension to the second-dimension column in comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC x GC) is normally quantitative, which means that the peak areas produced by GC x GC are equal to those obtained in one-dimensional gas chromatography (GC). In view of this relationship, it was investigated whether normal GC calibration could be used to quantify compounds analysed by GC x GC. Quantification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediment was used as a test case. It was concluded that more laborious and time-consuming GC x GC area calibration can be replaced by GC area calibration if separation quality and quantity prerequisites are met.     

Principles and applications of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography

This issue of Trends in Analytical Chemistry celebrates 50 years of gas chromatography (GC) — the greatest enabling technology for chemical analysis of volatile compounds. However, what may be considered the most powerful separation tool in GC — comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC) — is a development born of the 1990s. It was first described and almost fully established in the last decade of the twentieth century. The coming decades can be expected to see it flourish into a major operating mode of GC, when applications and fundamental principles will be further expanded, and, most importantly, its universal acceptance will be unquestioned. This article describes why the pioneers of GC×GC have so much faith in the new opportunities afforded by this exciting technology.     

Modified semi-rotating cryogenic modulator for comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography

A previously constructed semi-rotating cryogenic modulator was modified for comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC). The retention time repeatability was improved by replacing the modulator control program unit with a new system. Peak widths obtained with the modified modulator were comparable with those obtained with the previous modulator and other modulator types. The modulator was easy to construct and it can be installed in any commercial GC system. The constructed GC×GC–FID system and data obtained by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) were used for identification of unknowns in forest aerosol samples. Figure A semi-rotating cryogenic modulator in which modulation is based on two-step cryogenic trapping with continuously flowing carbon dioxide has been developed for comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography     

Application of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography to sterols analysis

The applicability of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GCxGC) for sterol analysis was investigated by separation and identification of endogenous sterols in standards, and spiked in human urine. The modulation temperature was optimized to achieve the best separation and signal enhancement. The separation pattern of trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivatives of sterols was compared on two complementary column sets. Whilst the BPX5/BPX50 column set offers better overall separation, BPX50/BPX5 provides better peak shape and sensitivity. Comparison of the identification power of GCxGC-TOFMS against both the NIST05 MS library and a laboratory created (in-house) TOFMS library was carried out on a free sterols extract of urine, derivatised and spiked at the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) limit of 2 ng mL(-1). The average match quality for 19 analysed sterols on the BPX50/BPX5 column set was 950/1000 when searched against the in-house library; only four were identified against the NIST05 library, at a match threshold of 800. The match quality of GCxGC-TOFMS spectra was superior to that for analysis using 1D GC-TOFMS for sterols spiked in urine at 10 ng mL(-1). An r(2)>0.997 was obtained for the concentration range between 0.25 ng mL(-1) and 10 ng mL(-1) for three selected sterols. The lowest limit of detection (LOD) was obtained for estrone (0.1 ng mL(-1)) and the highest LOD was for 5alpha-androstan-3alpha,11beta-diol-17-one, epitestosterone and cholesteryl butyrate (1 ng mL(-1)), using a match threshold of at least 800 and signal-to-noise ratio of at least 10. TOFMS coupled to GCxGC enabled satisfactory identification of sterols in urine at their LOD. A minimum acceptable match (MAM) criterion for urinary sterols using 2D retention times and TOF mass spectra is introduced. This study shows that GCxGC-TOFMS yields high specificity for steroids derived from urine, with detection limits appropriate for use in doping control.     

Retention time locking procedure for comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography

In gas chromatography (GC) reproducible retention times are in many cases highly favorable or in some cases even required. In one-dimensional GC, retention time shifts can be eliminated or minimized using a procedure called retention time locking (RTL). This procedure is based on adjusting the (constant) column head pressure. Unfortunately, this RTL procedure cannot be used in comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC × GC) given the fact that peaks will shift in both dimensions. Adjusting the column head pressure in GC × GC will only minimize or eliminate the primary retention time shifts. In this paper, a fast and easy to perform, two-step retention time locking procedure for two-dimensional gas chromatography (2D-RTL) is proposed and its feasibility is demonstrated. This 2D-RTL procedure involves adjustment of the column head pressure or constant column flow, followed by the adjustment of the so-called effective secondary column length. The secondary column length is increased or decreased, simply by moving it stepwise through the modulator. It is demonstrated that retention time shifts in both the primary- and secondary-dimension, which may occur after e.g. replacing the column set, can be minimized to less than half peak base width. The proposed 2D-RTL procedure is used successfully for approximately 1 year in our laboratory.     

Recent developments in the application of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography

The literature on comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC x GC) is reviewed, with emphasis on application-oriented studies published in the period 2004-2006. The various strategies that can be used in such studies, the state-of-the-art analytical performance and the high potential of GC x GC combined with time-of-flight mass spectrometric detection are highlighted.     

Overloading of the second-dimension column in comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC x GC) is based on a coupling of two GC columns of different characteristics by means of a device that allows portions of the effluent from the primary column to be injected onto the second dimension column for an additional separation. The time available for the separation in the second-dimension column is very short. Thus, this separation should be very efficient. The vast majority of GC x GC practitioners use very narrow bore columns for the second dimension. While this approach is justified in principle, if peaks in the second dimension overload this column, its peak capacity is severely reduced. A series of second-dimension columns of varying internal diameters, but similar phase ratios, were used to study these effects. The results indicate that 250 microm columns often provide comparable second dimension peak widths to 100 microm columns, while at the same time being less prone to overloading, indicating that they may often be a better choice than smaller diameter columns in the second dimension of GC x GC systems.     

Odour fingerprint acquisition by means of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-olfactometry and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

The analysis of complex matrices, such as perfumes, by means of gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O) can be rather imprecise due to the co-elutions, leading to a possible masking of odour-active trace-level compounds by major interferences or agglomeration of olfactive impressions resulting in unreliable olfactive characterization. To overcome these limits an innovative technique, comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC x GC-O), was applied, revealing several relevant co-elutions, as in the linalool and linalyl acetate zones. A total of 177 compounds, out of these 135 odour-active, were detected by GC-O, while about 481 out of 818 compounds presented odour-activity through GC x GC-O analyses. In addition, GC/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and GC x GC/MS analyses were also performed. Peak assignment was achieved by means of different information sources, such as GC/MS, GC x GC/MS, LRI, injection of standards and olfactive impressions.     

Model for predicting comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography retention times

A model for approximating the relative retention of solutes in comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GCxGC) is presented. The model uses retention data from standard single-column temperature-programmed separations. The one-dimensional retention times are first converted into retention indices and then these indices are combined in a simple manner to generate a retention diagram. A retention diagram is an approximation of the two-dimensional chromatogram that has retention order and spacing in both dimensions similar to that found in the experimental chromatogram. If required, the retention diagram can be scaled to more closely resemble the two-dimensional chromatogram. The model has been tested by using retention time data from single-column gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and valve-based GCxGC. A total of 139 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were examined. Approximately half of the VOCs had a single functional group and a linear alkyl chain (i.e., compounds with the structure Z-(CH(2))(n)-H). The retention diagrams had primary retention orders that were in excellent agreement with the GCxGC chromatograms. The relative secondary retention order for compounds with similar structures was also accurately predicted by the retention diagram. However, the relative secondary retention for compounds with dissimilar structures, such as acyclic alcohols and multi-substituted alkylbenzenes, were less accurately modeled. This study demonstrates how readily available single-column retention time data can be used to provide an a priori estimate of the relative retention of solutes in a GCxGC chromatogram. Such a capability is useful for screening possible combinations of stationary phases.