Capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with a microwave discharge interface for determination of radioactive-carbon-containing compounds

Journal Article · Mon Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1982 · Anal. Chem.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ac00250a053· OSTI ID:5137670

Markey, S P ^[1]; Abramson, F P

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1. National Inst. of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD

Minor compounds in complex organic matrices represent an analytical challenge to organic mass spectroscopists, both in their detection and in structure elucidation. A low-pressure microwave-induced plasma interface was exploited to convert all carbon-containing compounds in a capillary GC effluent to CO and CO/sub 2/ which can be measured in a conventional mass spectrometer without loss of chromatographic resolution and with a detection limit of 300-500 dpm. The chromatographic resolution obtained with the interface when a sample of isomeric hexanes was injected and separated at room temperature was given. The potential of the technique as a radioactivity monitor was assessed with a sample of methy (1-/sup 14/C) palmitate which was chromatographed isothermally at 215/sup 0/C. The reaction GC/MS interface is not limited to oxygen as the reactant gas nor to carbon as the analyzable element. Complete reaction of carbon either with nitrogen to form HCN and (CN)/sub 2/ or with H/sub 2/ to form CH/sub 4/ was seen. The use of a destructive interface has the advantage of generality; no information is needed about the position or the chemistry of the element or nuclide under investigation. 3 figures.

• OSTI ID: 5137670
• Journal Information: Anal. Chem.; (United States), Vol. 54:13
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
CARBON COMPOUNDS
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
MASS SPECTROSCOPY
CARBON 14 COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON MONOXIDE
HEPTANE
INTERFACES
MICROWAVE RADIATION
ALKANES
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHROMATOGRAPHY
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
HYDROCARBONS
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RADIATIONS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SPECTROSCOPY
400102* - Chemical & Spectral Procedures
400104 - Spectral Procedures- (-1987)