A gas chromatographic and mass spectral approach to the analysis of the anticancer drug methyl-G as the trimethylsilyl derivative.

Methyl-G was analyzed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry after trimethylsilylation. A means of quantitatively measuring methyl-G by gas chromatography of the TMS derivative is presented using the analogous derivative of methylethyl-G as an internal standard. The value of this compound as an internal standard for measurements of methyl-G is discussed based on comparisons of the mass spectral and gas chromatographic properties of their derivatives as well as their similar behavior in the ion exchange method used for partial purification. The latter procedure is discussed in some detail, and the results of applying it to biological samples of human and cell culture origin are presented.