Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 4, 2026

Single-throughput Complementary High-resolution Analytical Techniques for Characterizing Complex Natural Organic Matter Mixtures
Published on: January 7, 2019
Computerised gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of complex mixtures of alkyl porphyrins
P J Marriott1, J P Gill, R P Evershed
1Organic Geochemistry Unit, University of Bristol, U.K.
Abstract:
Computerised capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of complex mixtures of alkyl porphyrins, as their bis-(trimethylsiloxy)silicon(IV) and bis(tert.-butyldimethylsiloxy)silicon(IV) derivatives, is described. The latter derivative is more suitable for routine GC-MS analysis. This computerised GC-MS approach, when applied to the alkyl porphyrins of two geological samples, a bitumen (Gilsonite, Eocene age, UT, U.S.A.) and a crude oil (Boscan, Cretaceous age, West Venezuela), has revealed the highly complex compositions of these fractions. Computer-aided data processing, using relative retention index (RRI) calculations, facilitated the classification of the chromatographic peaks according to structural type and membership of pseudo-homologous series. Computerised GC-MS is compared with, and contrasted to high-performance liquid chromatography as a means of petroporphyrin analysis.
Related Concept Videos
Mass Spectrometry: Complex Analysis
GC–MS is a powerful hyphenated method commonly used in forensics and environmental...
Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS)
A gas chromatograph consists of a long, narrow capillary column with a polysiloxane coating on the inner wall. The coating...
Gas Chromatography: Types of Detectors-II
Gas Chromatography: Types of Columns and Stationary Phases
For an analyte to remain on the column for a sufficient amount of time, it must exhibit some level of compatibility (or...

