{"id":43701,"date":"2025-10-03T21:33:14","date_gmt":"2025-10-03T21:33:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/discover.restek.com\/uncategorized\/quick-start-guide-to-lpgc\/"},"modified":"2026-01-03T17:25:25","modified_gmt":"2026-01-03T17:25:25","slug":"quick-start-guide-to-lpgc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/discover.restek.com\/de\/articles\/gnar4241\/quick-start-guide-to-lpgc","title":{"rendered":"Quick-Start Guide to LPGC"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Determining if LPGC is Right for You<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Interested in trying low-pressure gas chromatography (LPGC) in your lab but aren\u2019t sure if it will work for you? We can help with that! Restek recommends reviewing a few factors about your analysis to determine if it\u2019s amenable to LPGC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One factor to consider regarding your analysis is critical separations. If there are no critical separations, the analysis is generally amenable to LPGC. If there are critical separations in your conventional GC-MS analysis and those resolutions are important to maintain, then some additional considerations need to be weighed before switching to LPGC. Since the LPGC technique trades resolution for speed, applications requiring the same or better resolution of critical pairs may not be amenable. Applications that require a column longer than 30 m for a conventional GC-MS may not work for LPGC-MS because the length is most likely providing needed resolution of analytes. However, if your critical pairs are not isobars, the spectral resolving power of the MS can be used to separate them while speeding up your analysis times! This means LPGC can work for your analysis and result in significant speed gains (Figure 1).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another factor to consider is the sample capacity and the increase in sensitivity (or S\/N) that can result. If you\u2019re already running a fast GC method (for example using a 10 m x 0.10 mm ID column), LPGC can provide more sample capacity than the smaller ID columns (short, narrow-bore columns) that are typically used. So, if you have a fast run but would like more sample capacity, LPGC is a good option!  Additionally, since LPGC allows for more sample capacity and narrower peaks, using LPGC can result in higher S\/N, better sensitivity, and the ability to reach lower detection limits. <\/p>\n\n\n

Figure 1:\u00a0<\/strong>LPGC-MS analysis of arylamines is 3.3x faster and uses 81% less helium compared to conventional GC-MS.<\/div>
\n
\"Comparison<\/div>

GC_GN1244<\/p>

Peaks<\/h4>\n
<\/th>Peaks<\/th>tR<\/sub> (30 m)<\/th>tR (LPGC)<\/th>Conc. (ppm)<\/th>Quant Ion<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n
1.<\/td>o-Toluidine<\/a><\/td>3.217<\/td>1.207<\/td>2<\/td>107<\/td><\/tr>\n
2.<\/td>o-Anisidine<\/a><\/td>4.42<\/td>1.589<\/td>2<\/td>123<\/td><\/tr>\n
3.<\/td>4-Chloroaniline<\/a><\/td>4.832<\/td>1.71<\/td>2<\/td>127<\/td><\/tr>\n
4.<\/td>p-Cresidine<\/a><\/td>5.519<\/td>1.92<\/td>2<\/td>137<\/td><\/tr>\n
5.<\/td>2,4,5-Trimethylaniline<\/a><\/td>5.582<\/td>1.935<\/td>2<\/td>135<\/td><\/tr>\n
6.<\/td>3-Chloro-o-toluidine<\/a><\/td>5.902<\/td>2.026<\/td>2<\/td>141<\/td><\/tr>\n
7.<\/td>4-Chloro-o-toluidine<\/a><\/td>6.025<\/td>2.061<\/td>2<\/td>141<\/td><\/tr>\n
8.<\/td>2,4-Diaminotoluene<\/a><\/td>7.637<\/td>2.523<\/td>2<\/td>122<\/td><\/tr>\n
9.<\/td>2,4-Diaminoanisole<\/a><\/td>8.89<\/td>2.872<\/td>2<\/td>138<\/td><\/tr>\n
10.<\/td>2-Naphthylamine<\/a><\/td>9.773<\/td>3.112<\/td>2<\/td>143<\/td><\/tr>\n
11.<\/td>2-Aminobiphenyl<\/a><\/td>9.892<\/td>3.148<\/td>2<\/td>169<\/td><\/tr>\n
12.<\/td>2-Amino-4-nitrotoluene<\/a><\/td>10.537<\/td>3.325<\/td>2<\/td>152<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody><\/table>\n\n
<\/th>Peaks<\/th>tR<\/sub> (30 m)<\/th>tR (LPGC)<\/th>Conc. (ppm)<\/th>Quant Ion<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
13.<\/td>4-Aminobiphenyl<\/a><\/td>12.154<\/td>3.767<\/td>2<\/td>169<\/td><\/tr>\n
14.<\/td>p-Aminoazobenzene<\/a><\/td>15.95<\/td>4.805<\/td>2<\/td>197<\/td><\/tr>\n
15.<\/td>4,4′-Oxydianiline<\/a><\/td>16.613<\/td>4.99<\/td>2<\/td>200<\/td><\/tr>\n
16.<\/td>4,4′-Diaminodiphenylmethane<\/a><\/td>16.714<\/td>5.016<\/td>2<\/td>198<\/td><\/tr>\n
17.<\/td>Benzidine<\/a><\/td>16.787<\/td>5.034<\/td>2<\/td>184<\/td><\/tr>\n
18.<\/td>o-Aminoazotoluene<\/a><\/td>17.53<\/td>5.24<\/td>2<\/td>225<\/td><\/tr>\n
19.<\/td>3,3′-Dimethyl-4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane<\/a><\/td>18.23<\/td>5.436<\/td>2<\/td>226<\/td><\/tr>\n
20.<\/td>3,3′-Dimethylbenzidine<\/a><\/td>18.483<\/td>5.504<\/td>2<\/td>212<\/td><\/tr>\n
21.<\/td>4,4\u2019-Thiodianiline<\/a><\/td>19.439<\/td>5.765<\/td>2<\/td>216<\/td><\/tr>\n
22.<\/td>3,3′-Dichlorobenzidine<\/a><\/td>19.795<\/td>5.864<\/td>2<\/td>252<\/td><\/tr>\n
23.<\/td>4,4′-Methylenebis(2-chloroaniline)<\/a><\/td>19.795<\/td>5.864<\/td>2<\/td>266<\/td><\/tr>\n
24.<\/td>3,3′-Dimethoxybenzidine<\/a><\/td>19.905<\/td>5.898<\/td>2<\/td>244<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody><\/table><\/div>

Conditions<\/h4>
Column<\/th>See notes<\/td><\/tr>
Standard\/Sample<\/th><\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>AccuStandard carcinogenic aryl amine mix (AE-00049-R1-10X)<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>AccuStandard 2,4-diaminoanisole (ALR-070S-R2)<\/td><\/tr>\n
Diluent:<\/th>Ethyl acetate<\/td><\/tr>
Conc.:<\/th>20 \u00b5g\/mL<\/td><\/tr>
Injection<\/th><\/td><\/tr>
Inj. Vol.:<\/th>1 \u00b5L split (split ratio 10:1)<\/td><\/tr>
Liner:<\/th>Topaz, splitless, single taper inlet liner, 4.0 mm x 6.5 x 78.5 (cat.# 23303<\/a>)<\/td><\/tr>
Inj. Temp.:<\/th>280 \u00b0C<\/td><\/tr>
Carrier Gas<\/th>He<\/td><\/tr><\/table>
Detector<\/th>MS<\/td><\/tr>
Mode:<\/th>Scan<\/td><\/tr>
Transfer Line Temp.:<\/th>300 \u00b0C<\/td><\/tr>
Analyzer Type:<\/th>Quadrupole <\/td><\/tr>
Source Temp.:<\/th>230 \u00b0C<\/td><\/tr>
Quad Temp.:<\/th>150 \u00b0C<\/td><\/tr>
Electron Energy:<\/th>70 eV<\/td><\/tr>
Tune Type:<\/th>PFTBA <\/td><\/tr>
Ionization Mode:<\/th>EI <\/td><\/tr>
Instrument<\/th>Agilent 7890B GC & 5977A MSD<\/td><\/tr>
Sample Preparation<\/th>The standards were diluted with ethyl acetate to 20 ppm; analyzed in a 2 mL, short-cap, screw-thread vial (cat.# 21143<\/a>); and capped with a short-cap, screw-vial closure (cat.# 24495<\/a>).<\/td><\/tr>
Notes<\/th> Conventional (30 m) Analysis:<\/b>
Column: Rxi-35Sil MS, 30 m, 0.25 mm ID, 0.25 \u00b5m (cat.# 13823<\/a>)
Temp. program: 200 \u00b0C (hold 0.5 min) to 320 \u00b0C at 9.5 \u00b0C\/min (hold 5 min)
Flow: 2.0 mL\/min
Scan start time: 2 min
Scan range: 30-300 amu
Scan rate: 10 scans\/sec

LPGC-MS Analysis:<\/b>
Column: LPGC Rxi-35Sil MS column kit, includes 10 m x 0.32 mm ID x 0.25 \u03bcm Rxi-35Sil MS analytical column and 5 m x 0.15 mm ID Rxi restrictor factory connected via SilTite connector (cat.# 11806<\/a>)
Temp. program: 100 \u00b0C (hold 0.5 min) to 300 \u00b0C at 35 \u00b0C\/min (hold 5 min)
Flow: 0.9 mL\/min
Scan start time: 1 min
Scan range: 35-300 amu
Scan rate: 9.7 scans\/sec

Compound list based on EU legislation of Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Appendix 8 (https:\/\/reachonline.eu\/reach\/en\/appendix-8.html). The 3-chloro-o-toluidine and 2-aminibiphenyl compounds are not part of the list.<\/td><\/tr><\/table><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/path><\/g><\/path><\/g><\/svg>Download PDF<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Installing and Optimizing Your LPGC Column Kit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019ve determined if LPGC will work for you, you\u2019re ready to select your LPGC kit from our broad catalog offering, install it, and optimize your run conditions! Here\u2019s a quick rundown of what you\u2019ll need to do: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Select your LPGC kit from our website. To explore our offering of LPGC kits, visit www.restek.com<\/a>, and search for “LPGC” with “Products” selected in the dropdown menu of the search bar.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Install your LPGC kit \u2013 it\u2019s as easy as a column change!\n
      \n
    1. Simply remove your conventional GC column, and then install the LPGC kit with the restrictor column at the inlet.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Give the installation a leak check using our electronic leak detector (cat.# 28500<\/a>). <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Optimize your run conditions for LPGC.\n
        \n
      1. Flow: To achieve the optimal flow for LPGC, set the flow rate using only the dimensions of the restrictor column at the oven\u2019s initial temperature. For LPGC kits with a 0.53 mm ID analytical column, the optimal flow rate is 1.5-2.5 mL\/min with helium. For LPGC kits with a 0.32 mm ID analytical column, the optimal flow rate is 0.9-1.1 mL\/min with helium.\n
          \n
        1. The ideal flow rate is a balance between how fast the MS can work, how fast you want to perform the analysis, and the level of sensitivity needed. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
        2. For 0.53 mm ID columns, higher flows result in lower responses due to overloading the pump. Modern pumps may be able to handle a flow rate of up up to 6 mL\/min. However, we recommend checking with your instrument manufacturer to determine the maximum flow rate it can handle.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        3. For 0.32 mm ID columns, flow rates higher than the ideal range (described in section 3a) may cause LPGC conditions to be lost.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        4. Temperature: The temperature program may need to be adjusted when converting from conventional GC to LPGC. A rapid heating program is required for LPGC with the optimal ramp set at 30-35 \u00b0C per minute. The start and end temperatures can also be lowered because the flow rate will be higher than a conventional GC column. LPGC takes advantage of a low-pressure system (using the MS to pull vacuum on the analytical column) to increase flow, making analytes elute faster at lower temperatures.\n
            \n
          1. If your GC is having trouble keeping up with these oven ramp rates, try our GC Accelerator Oven Insert Kit (cat.# 23849<\/a>). <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          2. Start your run!\n
              \n
            1. Be prepared to observe your analysis and optimize your conditions again based on initial data, if necessary. Don\u2019t forget, coelution may occur as resolution is decreased with LPGC since it is a tradeoff for a faster run. If the coelutions are not isobars, use the spectral resolving power of the MS to analyze them!<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

              With this simplified setup, you can start processing more samples per shift, have more time for instrument maintenance, or even put off that next big capital investment on a new instrument to accommodate your workload.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              To learn more about the benefits of LPGC, visit www.restek.com\/lpgc<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

              <\/div>\n\n\n
              \n

              Related Products<\/h3>\n
              \n
              \n
              \n
              \n Catalog No. 11800 <\/a> <\/div>\n
              \n
              LPGC Rtx-5ms S\u00e4ulenkit, 0.53 mm ID<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
              \n Produkt anzeigen<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
              \n
              \n Catalog No. 11802 <\/a> <\/div>\n
              \n
              LPGC Rtx-5ms S\u00e4ulenkit, 0.32 mm ID<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
              \n Produkt anzeigen<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
              \n
              \n Catalog No. 11803 <\/a> <\/div>\n
              \n
              LPGC Rxi-624Sil MS S\u00e4ulenkit, 0.53 mm ID<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
              \n Produkt anzeigen<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
              \n
              \n Catalog No. 11804 <\/a> <\/div>\n
              \n
              LPGC Rxi-624Sil MS S\u00e4ulenkit, 0.32 mm ID<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
              \n Produkt anzeigen<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
              \n
              \n Catalog No. 11805 <\/a> <\/div>\n
              \n
              LPGC Rxi-17Sil MS S\u00e4ulenkit<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
              \n Produkt anzeigen<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
              \n
              \n Catalog No. 11806 <\/a> <\/div>\n
              \n
              LPGC Rxi-35Sil MS S\u00e4ulenkit<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
              \n Produkt anzeigen<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
              \n
              \n Catalog No. 11807 <\/a> <\/div>\n
              \n
              LPGC Rtx-200 S\u00e4ulenkit<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
              \n Produkt anzeigen<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
              \n
              \n Catalog No. 23849 <\/a> <\/div>\n
              \n
              GC Accelerator-Ofeneinsatz-Kit, f\u00fcr Agilent 5890, 6890, 7890 und 8890 GCs<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
              \n Produkt anzeigen<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
              \n
              \n Catalog No. 28500 <\/a> <\/div>\n
              \n
              Restek elektronischer Leckdetektor<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
              \n Produkt anzeigen<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n\n
              <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

              In this guide, learn whether your analysis is amenable to LPGC and how to install and optimize your new LPGC kit!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":7165,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kadence_starter_templates_imported_post":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"industries-application":[],"post-badge":[],"resource-type":[],"product-library":[2372,2384],"resource-technique":[2294,2300,2301],"ppma_author":[414],"class_list":["post-43701","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles","product-library-gas-chromatography-products","product-library-gc-columns","resource-technique-gas-chromatography-gc","resource-technique-low-pressure-gc-lpgc","resource-technique-mass-spectrometry-ms"],"acf":[],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":7,"label":"Articles"}],"product-library":[{"value":2372,"label":"Gas Chromatography Products"},{"value":2384,"label":"GC Columns"}],"resource-technique":[{"value":2294,"label":"Gas Chromatography (GC)"},{"value":2300,"label":"Low-Pressure GC (LPGC)"},{"value":2301,"label":"Mass Spectrometry (MS)"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/discover.restek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/feature-GNAR4241-1024x536.jpg",1024,536,true],"author_info":{"display_name":"Restek Corporation","author_link":"https:\/\/discover.restek.com\/de\/author\/restek-corporation\/"},"comment_info":0,"category_info":[{"term_id":7,"name":"Articles","slug":"articles","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":7,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":469,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":7,"category_count":469,"category_description":"","cat_name":"Articles","category_nicename":"articles","category_parent":0}],"tag_info":false,"authors":[{"term_id":414,"user_id":11,"is_guest":0,"slug":"restek-corporation","display_name":"Restek Corporation","avatar_url":{"url":"https:\/\/discover.restek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Restek_Favicon_300x300.jpg","url2x":"https:\/\/discover.restek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Restek_Favicon_300x300.jpg"},"0":null,"1":"","2":"","3":"","4":"","5":"","6":"","7":"","8":""}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/discover.restek.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43701","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/discover.restek.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/discover.restek.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/discover.restek.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/discover.restek.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=43701"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/discover.restek.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43701\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":79433,"href":"https:\/\/discover.restek.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43701\/revisions\/79433"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/discover.restek.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7165"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/discover.restek.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43701"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/discover.restek.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=43701"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/discover.restek.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=43701"},{"taxonomy":"industries-application","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/discover.restek.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/industries-application?post=43701"},{"taxonomy":"post-badge","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/discover.restek.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post-badge?post=43701"},{"taxonomy":"resource-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/discover.restek.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/resource-type?post=43701"},{"taxonomy":"product-library","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/discover.restek.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product-library?post=43701"},{"taxonomy":"resource-technique","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/discover.restek.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/resource-technique?post=43701"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/discover.restek.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=43701"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}