ABSTRACT
Mass spectrometry (MS) continues to play an important role in toxicological analyses. This chapter summarizes the fundamental advances in coupling column chromatographic systems to mass spectrometers that impact clinical and forensic toxicology. Although it focuses on developments in on-line interfacing of column chromatographic techniques, thin-layer chromatography can also be interfaced to a mass spectrometer. In addition to the increased sensitivity inherent in a storage device, the ability to store and manipulate ions has begun to translate into inexpensive MS/MS instrumentation and better control over ionization techniques. The development of interfaces that can handle liquid samples has been one of the most dynamic areas in MS. In environmental testing of dioxans, a tandem quadrupole mass filter instrument had limits of detection a factor of 5 higher than a high-resolution MS operated with a resolution of 10,000. Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization is a useful adjunct to electrospray ionization for addressing a wide spectrum of problems.
