SCANNING THIN-LAYER CHROMATOGRAPHY LIQUID SECONDARY ION MASS-SPECTROMETRY AND ITS APPLICATION FOR INVESTIGATION OF DRUG METABOLITES

Thin-layer chromatography-mass spectrometry including both direct and scanning thin-layer chromatography-liquid secondary ion mass spectrometry, has been used to obtain good separation and good mass spectra of non-volatile and thermally unstable mixtures. The methods are very simple, useful and easy to perform, and they can overcome the problems associated with indirect and direct coupling of liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Scanning thin-layer chromatography-liquid secondary ion mass spectrometry can be carried out like gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and gives good quality chromatograms and mass spectra. These methods were used to analyse drug metabolites and mixtures of other organic compounds.