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Marittimo N, Grasselli G, Arigò A, Famiglini G, Agostini M, Renzoni C, Palma P, Cappiello A. Liquid electron ionization-mass spectrometry as a novel strategy for integrating normal-phase liquid chromatography with low and high-resolution mass spectrometry. Analyst 2024; 149:2664-2670. [PMID: 38363103 DOI: 10.1039/d3an02109b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Normal-phase liquid chromatography (NPLC) plays a pivotal role in the rapid separation of non-polar compounds, facilitating isomer separation and finding applications in various crucial areas where aprotic solvents are necessary. Similar to reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC), NPLC requires a robust and sensitive detector to unequivocally identify the analytes, such as a mass spectrometer. However, coupling NPLC with mass spectrometry (MS) poses challenges due to the incompatibility between the non-polar solvents used as the mobile phase and the primary ionization techniques employed in MS. Several analytical methods have been developed to combine NPLC with electrospray ionization (ESI), but these methods are restricted to the analysis of polar compounds. In most cases, atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) becomes necessary to expand the range of analysis applications. To overcome these limitations and fully realize the potential of NPLC-MS coupling, a technique termed liquid electron ionization-mass spectrometry (LEI-MS) can be used. LEI-MS offers a straightforward solution by enabling the effective coupling of NPLC with both low and high-resolution MS. LEI allows for the comprehensive analysis of non-polar compounds and provides a powerful tool for isomer separation and precise identification of analytes. Optimal separations, mass spectral qualities, and matches with the NIST library were obtained in both configurations, demonstrating the potential of the proposed approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Marittimo
- University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Department of Pure and Applied Sciences, Piazza Rinascimento 6, 61029 Urbino, Italy.
| | - Genny Grasselli
- University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Department of Pure and Applied Sciences, Piazza Rinascimento 6, 61029 Urbino, Italy.
| | - Adriana Arigò
- University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Department of Pure and Applied Sciences, Piazza Rinascimento 6, 61029 Urbino, Italy.
| | - Giorgio Famiglini
- University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Department of Pure and Applied Sciences, Piazza Rinascimento 6, 61029 Urbino, Italy.
| | - Marco Agostini
- Laboratorio di Tossicologia, A.S.T. AV1, Via Lombroso 15, 61122 Pesaro, Italy
| | - Caterina Renzoni
- Laboratorio di Tossicologia, A.S.T. AV1, Via Lombroso 15, 61122 Pesaro, Italy
| | - Pierangela Palma
- University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Department of Pure and Applied Sciences, Piazza Rinascimento 6, 61029 Urbino, Italy.
- Vancouver Island University, Department of Chemistry, B360-R306, 900 Fifth St., Nanaimo, BC, Canada V9R 5S5
| | - Achille Cappiello
- University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Department of Pure and Applied Sciences, Piazza Rinascimento 6, 61029 Urbino, Italy.
- Vancouver Island University, Department of Chemistry, B360-R306, 900 Fifth St., Nanaimo, BC, Canada V9R 5S5
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