Evaluation of reversed phase versus normal phase column combination for the quantitative analysis of common commercial available middle distillates using GC × GC-TOFMS and Visual Basic Script

Abstract Normal and reversed phase column combinations for comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry were evaluated concerning their suitability for the analysis of common commercial available middle distillates. Compound classes were identified and quantified by applying a previously developed data evaluation method (Jennerwein et al., 2014) [1] for middle distillates based on GC × GC-TOFMS using “normal phase” column combination and Visual Basic Scripting (VBS). The GC × GC-TOFMS methodology was transferred to a “reversed phase” column combination and it could be found, that this kind of column combination provides advantages for the quantification of petrochemical samples in terms of precision of the results. Special improvements were observed for the quantification of aromatics and paraffins.