Evaluation of Comprehensive 2D Gas Chromatography-Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry for 209 Chlorinated Biphenyl Congeners in Two Chromatographic Runs

This research evaluates a recently developed comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography 2D GC coupled with a time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometer for the potential separation of 209 PCB congeners, using a sequence of 1D and 2D chromatographic modes. In two consecutive chromatographic runs, using a 40 m, Rtx-PCB column, and a 1 m DB-17 column, connected in series, 196 PCB congeners are distinguished, including 43 of the 46 pentachlorobiphenyl isomers. Some of the chlorinated biphenyls that could not be resolved chromatographically are resolved with the use of the “ortho effect,” which distinguishes PCB isomers having 2,2′-; and 2,2′6- chlorine substitution from those isomers without these substitutions. The result of this work falls short of our goal of separating all 209 PCB congeners but still provides investigators with a new tool for a better front-end separation of PCB-specific congeners, and potentially, for use in acquisition of more accurate data.