Use of triethylammonium formate to enhance sensitivity in negative‐ion liquid chromatography/thermospray‐mass spectrometry

Abstract

The major objective of this investigation was to find a thermospray buffer that would decrease ion/molecule reactions in the gas phase. This would cause solution chemistry and ion evaporation to be major parameters controlling ion production. Using triethylammonium formate, protonation by ion/molecule reaction in the gas phase was decreased as indicated by the effect of solution pH on ion production. The detection limits in the full‐scan mode for some amphoteric compounds and acids were one magnitude lower than those obtained with ammonium acetate or ammonium formate buffers. A few examples of sensitive full‐scan detection demonstrate the usefulness of this novel buffer for negative‐ion thermospray liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. Copyright © 1990 John Wiley & Sons Limited