How to Find a Specific Compound in GC/MS Data Using NIST & Extracted Ions
Sometimes you know which compound you are looking for, but you do not know where it appears in the chromatogram.
In this video, I show how I use the NIST mass spectral library and extracted-ion chromatograms to locate a specific compound in GC/MS data.
I cover:
• Searching the NIST library for the compound
• Reviewing the reference mass spectrum
• Selecting characteristic ions
• Returning to the sample chromatogram
• Extracting those ions from the data
• Looking for peaks where the characteristic ions align
• Reviewing the mass spectrum at the suspected retention time
This approach is especially useful when the TIC is crowded and the compound of interest is not obvious by visual inspection alone.
Characteristic ions can help narrow the search and make it much faster to find the most likely peak.
Vineta Mills Consulting
Practical GC and GC/MS maintenance, troubleshooting, chromatography, software, method development, and laboratory training.
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