Separation, detection, and identification of inositol triphosphate and phytic acid derivatives by supercritical fluid chromatography and SFC–mass spectrometry

Abstract

Abstract Capillary supercritical fluid chromatography with flame ionization detection appears promising for the separation and detection of silylated inositol phosphates. Inositol triphosphate and phytic acid, following ion exchange to their fully protonated forms, were silylated in one step with the addition of 9 and 12 trimethylsilyl groups, respectively. The resulting derivatives are well behaved in open‐tubular chromatography columns with methyl‐silicone stationary phase when CO 2 is used as the mobile phase. Both flow‐splitting and directinjection methods were evaluated. The identities of the derivatives were confirmed by supercritical fluid chromatography‐mass spectrometry using chemical ionization with both ammonia and isobutane, and using electron ionization—CO 2 charge exchange.