Silylaldonitrile derivatives for the determination of sugars by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A novel procedure for the derivatization of aldoses prior to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry is proposed. Reaction of the sugars with hydroxylamino-O-sulphonic acid and silylation of the hydroxyl groups yields silylaldonitrile derivatives, which give single chromatographic peaks and favourable mass spectrometric properties. The silylaldonitrile derivatives are easily separated by capillary gas chromatography and are suitable for both identification and quantification purposes.