Capillary GC and GC-MS of porphyrins and metalloporphyrins

Abstract

Despite their inherent low volatility, a wide range of alkyl porphyrins and their various metallo-derivatives have been successfully analysed by gas chromatography on wall coated open tubular (WCOT) capillary columns. As a result of their superior peak shape (comparable ton-alkanes of similar retention times) and relatively low Kovat's retention indices (3300–3900), the bis(trialkylsiloxy)Si(IV) derivatives offer the greatest potential for the GC analysis of geological mixtures of alkyl porphyrins. Similar derivatives of porphyrins of biomedical importance, possessing polar side chains, are also amenable to GC and GC-MS analysis.