Normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic separations using ethoxynonafluorobutane as hexane alternative: II. Liquid chromatography–atmospheric pressure chemical ionization–mass spectrometry applications with methanol gradients

We have reported recently that high-speed normal-phase (NP) HPLC separations of a broad range of organic compounds can be performed on cyano columns using gradients of methanol in hexane-like solvent—ethoxynonafluorobutane (ENFB), available commercially. In this communication, we demonstrate that atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) in combination with mass spectrometry (MS) can be effectively used for detection in such separations. The efficiency of APCI under conditions studied has also been compared to the efficiency of traditional electrospray ionization (ESI) in combination with MS for reversed-phase (RP) HPLC of the same compounds. The compounds included in this study were steroids, benzodiazepines, and other central nervous system-active substances, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, tricyclic antidepressants, and β-adrenergic blocking agents. Non-polar compounds were found to respond stronger when APCI–MS technique was used, whereas APCI and ESI ionization efficiencies were comparable when polar substances were studied. The combination of normal-phase HPLC separation conditions with mass spectral detection may expand the range of LC–MS applications traditionally associated with reversed-phase HPLC and ESI–MS detection.