At the global biannual International Mass Spectrometry Conference in Maastricht, NL, IMSC2022, our public-private EFRO-consortium of MassSpecpecD BV, Qmicro by Sensirion, Radboud University, University of Twente and Saxion University of Applied Sciences presented a progress report on our novel prototype machine for direct MS analysis of the enantiomeric excess of mixtures of chiral molecules. The novel prototype apparatus combines micro-Gas Chromatography and direct chiral Mass Spectrometry using laser-based imaging of PhotoElectron Circular Dichroism (PECD).

Following the separation of a mixture of (chiral) molecules injected in a microGC, the output flow of a normal GC column is expanded in vacuum via a micro-fabricated de Laval nozzle and crossed by an ionizing circular polarized ultrafast laser pulse. Ions and electrons are detected sequentially on a time- and position sensitive detector. The Time-of-Flight of the ions provides the mass of the molecules as they elute from the column. The forward-backward PECD asymmetry in the angular distribution of the photoelectrons is detected by Velocity Map Imaging and is directly proportional to the enantiomeric excess of the eluting chiral molecule.