A new interface to couple thin‐layer chromatography with laser desorption/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry for plate scanning

Abstract
An interface to allow on‐line qualitative and quantitative full‐plate detection and analysis of compounds separated by thin‐layer chromatography (TLC) is presented. A continuous wave diode laser is employed as a desorption source. Atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry ionizes and subsequently identifies the desorbed sample molecules. Besides direct laser desorption on untreated TLC plates, graphite particles were used as a matrix to couple in the laser power and improve the efficiency of desorption. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.