title: Femtogram on-column detection of nicotine by isotope dilution gas chromatography/negative ion detection mass spectrometry.
abstract: A gas chromatographic method, utilizing detection by negative chemical ionization (NCI) mass spectrometry, is presented for the detection of nicotine. The method incorporates derivatization with heptafluorobutyric anhydride/pyridine to yield the ring-opened addition product, 1-[4-(3'-pyridyl)-4-heptafluorobutyryloxybutyl]-1- methylheptafluorobutanamide. The resulting heptafluorobutanamide is both relatively stable and an excellent electron scavenger. This methodology provides for the detection of nicotine at femtogram on-column levels, the measurement of nicotine over three orders of magnitude, and the minimization of contamination due to environmental nicotine.
authors.affiliation: Special Testing and Research Laboratory, US Drug Enforcement Administration, McLean, Virginia 22102-3494.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Moore
mesh_terms: D002852:Chromatography, Ion Exchange; D005466:Fluorocarbons; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D009538:Nicotine / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D005466:Fluorocarbons; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; C007924:heptafluorobutyric anhydride; D009538:Nicotine