Direct Coupling of Thin-Layer Chromatography with Mass Spectrometry

Direct TLC/MS Using New Sintered TLC Plate

Abstract

Mass spectrometry for nonvolatile and thermally unstable mixture samples still remains as a difficult problem. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) is a simple and very effective method for the separation of mixtures. For coupling of TLC with mass spectrometry, a new TLC glass plate was devised. The plate has many linear grooves engraved on the rear, which guide a cutter to cleave to a strip. The strip is set on a usual holder for a mass spectrometer. This system provides a very simple and effective result for separation and measurement of mass spectra of the nonvolatile and thermally unstable mixtures.