Chip-Based Free-Flow Electrophoresis with Integrated Nanospray Mass-Spectrometry

Free-flow electrophoresis is an ideal tool for preparative separations in continuous microflow. With the approach presented herein for coupling free-flow electrophoresis and mass spectrometry it is now also possible to trace non-fluorescent compounds and identify them by means of mass spectrometry. The functionality of the method and its potential as an integrated separation unit for microflow synthesis is demonstrated by application to a multicomponent [3+2]-cycloannulation.