Separation and identification of organic and organometallic compounds by use of a liquid chromatography-particle beam-glow discharge mass spectrometry combination

Evaluation of the particle beam glow discharge mass spectrometry (PB-GDMS) system as a detector for liquid chromatography (LC) is described for the an alysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, steroids, selenoamino acids, an d alkyllead compounds. A particle beam interface is used to introduce analy te species from the LC into a glow discharge source for subsequent vaporiza tion and ionization. Mass spectra display classic EI fragmentation patterns for the organic compounds, as well as elemental and molecular information for the organometallic compounds. Chromatographic separations display good temporal correlation between UV and PB-GDMS detection modes. Detection Limi ts for Pb in lead nitrate, triethyllead, and triphenyllead fall in the sub- ppb (ng) range. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.