Chromatographymass

Chromatography-mass spectrometry is an analytical technique that combines a separating chromatographic step with a mass spectrometric detection method. The chromatography stage resolves complex mixtures into individual components, while the mass spectrometer provides molecular weight information and, in many cases, structural clues through fragmentation patterns. This coupling enables sensitive, selective identification and quantification of compounds in a wide range of samples.

Common implementations include gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS). In GC-MS, volatile compounds are separated in a capillary column and ionized in the mass spectrometer, often using electron impact or chemical ionization. In LC-MS, nonvolatile or thermally labile compounds are separated by liquid chromatography and ionized by interfaces such as electrospray or atmospheric pressure chemical ionization. Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) provides further fragmentation data to support compound identification and quantification.

Data analysis in chromatography–mass spectrometry combines chromatographic information (retention time) with mass spectral data. Spectral libraries and databases enable rapid identification, while targeted and untargeted approaches support qualitative discovery and quantitative measurement. Quantification commonly relies on calibration curves and internal standards to correct for matrix effects and instrument variation.

Applications span numerous fields, including environmental monitoring, food and beverage safety, clinical diagnostics, proteomics, metabolomics, forensic science, and pharmaceutical analysis. Strengths of the technique include high sensitivity, wide dynamic range, specificity, and the ability to provide structural information. Limitations can include the need for appropriate sample preparation, potential ionization suppression in complex matrices, and the requirement for suitable volatility or derivatization for GC-based systems.