Thin-Layer Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Sample Mixtures Using a Compact Mass Spectrometer

There have been a few reports on thin layer chromatography/mass spectrometry (TLC/MS) and thin layer chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (TLC/MS/MS). The merits of TLC/MS (i.e., without MS/MS or high-resolution mass measurement) include lower-cost mass spectrometers, ease of operation and molecular weight (MW) information when applicable. TLC/MS/MS offers additional benefits, but requires more expensive instrumentation and more challenging operational requirements.

This article describes the direct coupling of TLC plates or other planar surfaces to a compact, single-quadrupole mass spectrometer that can provide routine electrospray ionization (ESI) or atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) in both the positive and negative ionization modes.