Chromatographic aspects in high throughput liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry

Important parameters to consider when developing a liquid chromatography/ma ss spectrometry (LC/MS) method are buffer type and concentration, and colum n geometry. In the work presented here the choice of buffer for the analysi s of basic compounds using a polar embedded phase (HyPURITY(TM) ADVANCE) is illustrated for the analysis of tricyclic antidepressants. Method transfer from a 4.6 mm i.d. column to a 2.1 mm i.d. column is demonstrated for the analysis of triazines and anabolic steroids and their metabolites, with no change in selectivity and with added speed of analysis. Analysis of eight b eta-blockers is achieved in 65 seconds by using a short 30 x 4.6 mm C18 col umn. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.