Recent progress in organic analysis using liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer (LC-MS)

Combined liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer (LC-MS) for organic micro analysis was described. The review of the historical aspect on the development LC-MS interface is important to understand recent advanced methods for the analysis. Several problems found in the earlier developed interface are stated. The moving belt interface was the first successful desolvation method. The simplified method, such as direct liquid introduction (DLI) as well as thermospray (TSP), are discussed. Fast atom bombardment (FAB) ionization is available in the frit interface. The compositions of various spray methods are presented for the LC-MS interface including particle beam (PB), electrospray (ES), atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI), sonic spray, droplet electrospray and ionspray. Several applications using these interfaces are shown. Recent mass spectrometers using Fourier transform (FT) technique which exhibits high mass resolving power and accuracy is one of the best analyzer for LC-MS work. Dual ion source equipped with matrix assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) and external ionization source are commonly available for FTMS. The new topics on the recent developed mass spectrometry are introduced.