Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry Facility
Chromatography
Chromatography is often used for the analysis of mixtures. The chromatographic column will separate the mixture into individual components. In some instances, the individual components may then be identified if their elution time matches that of a standard. The amount of each component in a mixture can also be determined by comparing the area of a peak with a standard of known concentration.
Gas Chromatography (GC) is used with samples that are stable at elevated temperatures. Samples must be able to travel through the GC column in the gas phase.
Gas Chromatography coupled to a Mass Spectrometer (GC/MS) can be used to identify unknown components in a mixture. The gas chromatograph will separate the unknown from other components in the mixture. The mass spectrum may then be used to determine the structure of the molecule.
High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) is used with compounds that are not stable when heated. Many pharmaceuticals or biomolecules will fall into this category.
Available Instrumentation:
- Hewlett Packard 5890 Series II gas chromatograph with FID and TC detector data station and 7673 auto -sampler (GC)
- Hewlett Packard 5972 mass selective detector with a 5890 Series II gas chromatograph, data station and 7673 auto sampler (GC/MSD)
- Hewlett Packard 1050 High pressure liquid chromatograph (HPLC) with data station and auto sampler. Detectors include a variable wavelength UV/VIS, HP 1046A programmable fluorescence, and a 1049A electrochemical detector.
Applications:
- Purity analysis
- Quantitation of component in soil, water, air or body fluid samples
Mass Spectrometry Facility
Sample submission form (PDF)
Sample submission form (XLS)
Mass spectrometry is routinely used to confirm the molecular weight and elemental composition of synthesized compounds, investigate the structure of unknowns and to analyze the concentration of species present in complex mixtures.
Available Instrumentation:
- ThermoFinnigan MAT95XL high resolution magnetic sector mass spectrometer with GC and LC/MS capabilities (Funded by NSF CHE-0091977)
- LCQ Advantage IonTrap LC/MS and surveyor HPLC system (Funded by NSF CHE-0091977)
- VG 70-SE high mass, high resolution mass spectrometer with OPUS data system
- Hewlett Packard 5890 Series II gas chromatograph with 5972 mass selective detector and HP 7673 auto sampler
Nominal and accurate mass determinations are available for the following ionization modes:
- Electron Import (EI)
- Desorption Electron Impact (DEI)
- Chemical Ionization (CI)
- Desorption Chemical Ionization (DCI)
- Fast Atom Bombardment (FAB)
Structural Analysis Techniques Available:
- Molecular weight determination
- Elemental composition using high resolution tuning and accurate mass measurement
- GC/MS and LC/MS for analysis of components in complex mixtures
- MS/MS, MSn, linked scanning for daughter, parent and neutral loss used for investigating composition of selected ions, determination of fragmentation pathways and study of gas phase reactions.
- Library searching for identification of unknowns:
- Wiley Library 138,000 spectra
- NIST 62,000+ spectra
Quantitative Analysis:
- Selected ion recording (SIR) and selected reaction monitoring (SRM) for enhanced sensitivity
Ability to combine techniques for enhanced specificity:
- High resolution GC/MS or LC/MS
- MS/MS with GC/MS or LC/MS
