Femtogram on-column detection of nicotine by isotope dilution gas chromatography/negative ion detection mass spectrometry.

A gas chromatographic method, utilizing detection by negative chemical ionization (NCI) mass spectrometry, is presented for the detection of nicotine. The method incorporates derivatization with heptafluorobutyric anhydride/pyridine to yield the ring-opened addition product, 1-[4-(3'-pyridyl)-4-heptafluorobutyryloxybutyl]-1- methylheptafluorobutanamide. The resulting heptafluorobutanamide is both relatively stable and an excellent electron scavenger. This methodology provides for the detection of nicotine at femtogram on-column levels, the measurement of nicotine over three orders of magnitude, and the minimization of contamination due to environmental nicotine.