Design, Implementation, and Performance of a High Resolution Gas Chromatography/High Resolution Mass Spectrometry/Real-Time Computer System for the Analysis of Complex Organic Mixtures

Abstract

Following our previous exploratory excursions into the field of gas chromatography/real-time high resolution mass spectrometry, a system based on glass capillary high resolution gas chromatography/high resolution mass spectrometry was assembled employing the state-of-the-art techniques in each field (high resolution gas chromatography, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry interfacing, high resolution mass spectrometry, and real-time on-line computer). Despite the large differences of chromatographic peak width (∼3–4 sec) and presently possible high resolution mass spectrometer scan cycle time (6 sec/decade, ∼10 sec cycle time) under necessary operating conditions, a compromise of operating parameters was established in which the over-all chromatographic and mass spectrometric performance were minimally affected. This paper describes the optimization of such an analytical system and discusses the effects of the performance of each component on the performance of an integrated high resolution gas chromatography/high resolution mass spectrometry/real-time computer system. The application of this combination of analytical tools to the structure elucidation of components in samples of biomedical and geochemical origin is illustrated.