6.12 : Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS)

Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) is the combination of analytical techniques of gas chromatography and mass spectrometry in a single instrument for analyzing a mixture of compounds. The gas chromatograph separates the compounds in the mixture, and the mass spectrometer analyzes each compound separately to determine the molecular masses and molecular structures.

A gas chromatograph consists of a long, narrow capillary column with a polysiloxane coating on the inner wall. The coating material features a high boiling point, low viscosity, and low polarity and functions as the stationary phase of the chromatograph. The analyte is injected into one end of the column and flushed through the column using an inert gas flow as the mobile phase. The boiling point of each compound and its interaction with the stationary phase determines the speed of movement through the column. Consequently, each compound in the mixture reaches the other end of the column at a different time. Eventually, the mass spectrometer connected to the column's end analyzes each compound separately.