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A Gas Chromatography‐Molecular Rotational Resonance Spectroscopy Based System of Singular Specificity
Author(s) -
Armstrong Daniel W.,
Talebi Mohsen,
Thakur Nimisha,
Wahab M. Farooq,
Mikhonin Alexander V.,
Muckle Matt T.,
Neill Justin L.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.201910507
Subject(s) - isotopologue , chemistry , heteroatom , isotopomers , gas chromatography , isotopic labeling , isotopes of chlorine , mass spectrometry , nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy , sulfur , spectroscopy , analytical chemistry (journal) , selectivity , chlorine , chromatography , molecule , organic chemistry , ring (chemistry) , physics , quantum mechanics , catalysis
We designed and demonstrated the unique abilities of the first gas chromatography–molecular rotational resonance spectrometer (GC‐MRR). While broadly and routinely applicable, its capabilities can exceed those of high‐resolution MS and NMR spectroscopy in terms of selectivity, resolution, and compound identification. A series of 24 isotopologues and isotopomers of five organic compounds are separated, identified, and quantified in a single run. Natural isotopic abundances of mixtures of compounds containing chlorine, bromine, and sulfur heteroatoms are easily determined. MRR detection provides the added high specificity for these selective gas‐phase separations. GC‐MRR is shown to be ideal for compound‐specific isotope analysis (CSIA). Different bacterial cultures and groundwater were shown to have contrasting isotopic selectivities for common organic compounds. The ease of such GC‐MRR measurements may initiate a new era in biosynthetic/degradation and geochemical isotopic compound studies.