Use of a Mass Spectrometer as a Detector and Analyzer for Effluents Emerging from High Temperature Gas Liquid Chromatography Columns

Abstract

A modified Atlas CH4 mass spectrometer has been coupled to a gas liquid chromatography (GLC) column. As the compounds emerge from the column they are ionized in the ion source of the mass spectrometer and about 10% of the total ion current is used for continuous registration of the effluent. The temperature of the column can be regulated from 50° to 350° C. by using the temperature programmer. Two molecule separators are coupled in series between the column and the gas inlet line of the mass spectrometer. With this technique the sample-to-helium ratio is increased at least 100 times. Less than 1 μg. of material introduced onto the column suffices for a good mass spectrum. The mass range m/e 12 to 500 can be scanned and recorded in 1 or 2 seconds. Examples are given of the separation and mass spectrometric identification of 27 components from 200 μg. of methylated fatty acids from butter fat and the separation of a mixture of C19 to C30 hydrocarbons. © 1964, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.