A
Optimizing the LC Conditions
LC Solvents and Mobile Phase Additives
120
Surveyor MSQ Plus Hardware Manual
Thermo Scientific
LC Solvents and Mobile Phase Additives
The choice of solvents for LC is dictated primarily by the separation requirements, but there
are some guidelines that need to be followed when performing LC/MS analyses.
This section contains the following topics:
•
•
LC Solvents
The solvents that are the most compatible with the Surveyor MS detector are:
• Water
• Acetonitrile
• Methanol
These common reverse phase LC solvents are ideal for LC/MS. When using high percentages
of water, the probe temperature usually needs to be raised to aid desolvation.
Solvents that are less commonly used include:
• Normal phase solvents
• Alcohols such as isopropanol, 2-methoxyethanol, ethanol, and so on
• Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)
Normal phase solvents such as dichloromethane, hexane and toluene are most suitable for use
in APCI. Alcohols have all been used with LC/MS but their use tends to be
application-specific. DMSO is commonly used by synthetic chemists for primary dilutions.
Mobile Phase Additives
Additives can be divided into three categories:
•
Commonly Used Compatible Additives
•
•
contains a summary of suitable additives.
contains a summary of additives to
avoid.
