Analyses of phenolics in cigarette smoke by GC-MS with the multiple ion selction technique

Improvements in the analytical methodology used in the gas chromatographic/mass spectral analysis of phenolic compounds from cigarette smoke are described. For the direct analysis of crude samples, pyridine extraction and the glass capillary column GC was used for the separation of phenolics as trimethylsilyl derivativatives. The separations of cigarette smoke on Carbowax 20M and SE-54 wall coated open tubular columns are given. Improved methodology for the routine quantitation of the identified components using the computer-controlled multiple ion selection technique of MS presented. Considerations pertaining to routine analyses of a multitude of complex smoke samples are also discussed.