Basic Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
Principles and Techniques

F.W. Karasek (Author), R.E. Clement (Author)

9780444427601

Hardback, published 1 February 1988

220 pages
23.3 x 15.6 x 2 cm, 0.48 kg

The book begins by covering the basic principles of both gas chromatography (GC) and mass spectrometry (MS) to the extent necessary to understand and deal with the data generated in a GC-MS analysis. The focus then turns to the particular requirements created by a direct combination of these two techniques into a single instrumentation system. The data generated and their use are covered in detail. The role of the computer and its specific software receives special attention, especially in the matter of compound identification via mass spectral search techniques. GC-MS-computer instrumentation has reached such a plateau of excellence today that the present commercial systems will not be obsolete for a long time to come. Therefore, a detailed description of these systems is not only informative but is also pertinent to the subject matter of this book. Finally, representative applications and results obtained with GC-MS-computer techniques are presented and chosen in such a way as to permit extrapolation of specific applications to similar problems encountered by the reader. To aid the reader in mastering the subject matter and increase understanding, interpretation problems and suggested readings are included. The format is instructional, informative and application-oriented with material presented in such a way as to be useful to a broad spectrum of people.The book serves as a text in its own right.The software package Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry: A Knowledge Base, by F.A. Settle, Jr. and M.A. Pleva provides rapid access to a wealth of current information in the GC-MS field. Its three diskettes (5¹/4 inch) allow the user three ways to access: the index mode, the tree mode and a keyword search mode. The package may be purchased separately and is available for the IBM-PC and compatibles.The software provides a valuable supplement to the book.

1. Introduction. An overview. Computerization. 2. Gas Chromatography. Fundamentals. Van Deemter equation: significance, evaluation. Columns: packed columns, wall-coated open tubular columns. Detectors: thermal conductivity detector, flame ionization detector, electron capture detector. Analysis techniques: sample injection, temperature programming, retention index. Instrumentation: computerization, data acquisition and analysis. Suggested reading. 3. Mass Spectrometry. Fundamentals: electron ionization, chemical ionization. Instrumentation: quadrupole mass spectrometers, magnetic sector mass spectrometers. Interpretation of mass spectra: types of ions, isotopic abundances and characteristic ion clusters, nitrogen rule and rings-plus-double-bonds, steps in interpretation, examples, problems. Suggested reading. 4. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. Vacuum and gas flow: basic principles, analysis of vacuum and gas flow, interfaces. Computerization: computerized operation, characteristics. Data analysis: reconstructed gas chromatogram, mass chromatogram, selected ion monitoring, background subtraction, Biller-Biemann stripping technique. Compound identification using reference spectra matching: mass spectral compilations, methods of computerized mass spectral search, commercial mass spectral computer search systems. Quantitative analysis by selected ion monitoring: choice of ions, magnetic versus quadrupole analyzers, identification and quantitation procedures, use of isotopically labelled compounds, precision, accuracy, and limit of detection. Automated GC-MS operation: automated data acquisition, automated data analysis, total automated analysis. GC-MS-computer instrumentation: Finnigan MAT systems, Hewlett-Packard systems. Suggested reading. 5. GC-MS-Computer Applications. Analysis of chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans: incinerator emissions, biological samples, summary and conclusions. Use of high performance liquid chromatography for complex mixture analysis: HPLC fractionation of the mixture into compound types. Use of high resolution GC-MS for identity confirmation. New developments: MS-MS: description of the technique, scan techniques, instrumental configurations, comparison of GC-MS and MS-MS. Suggested reading. 6. Glossary. Subject Index.

Subject Areas: Spectrum analysis, spectrochemistry, mass spectrometry [PNFS], Chromatography [PNFC], Analytical chemistry [PNF]