Coordination chemistry applied to anti‐doping analysis: Cobalt quantification as its diethyldithiocarbamate complex by liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution tandem mass spectrometry

Abstract Cobalt was included on the World Anti‐Doping Agency Prohibited List in 2015 due to its effect on stimulus of erythropoiesis via stabilization of hypoxia‐inducible factor. Although it has proven benefits for performance enhancement, the unavailability of inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry on routine of the accredited laboratories is a factor that reduces its applicability in anti‐doping analysis. Therefore, an analytical method for quantification of urinary cobalt as its diethyldithiocarbamate complex by liquid chromatography coupled with high‐resolution tandem mass spectrometry was developed and validated. Palladium was proposed as internal standard and rhodium as a complexation control. A microwave‐assisted acid digestion of the urine samples was essential, not only to eliminate the matrix effect but mainly to avoid the non‐specific bond of cobalt to endogenous molecules. A linear method was obtained over the studied range from a negative urine control to a spiked concentration of 25 ng/mL, with an estimated limit of quantification of 2.5 ng/mL, and an adequate combined standard uncertainty of 11.4%. Considering that all reagents are commercially available, the proposed strategy is feasible to be included on routine sample preparation. Monitoring urinary cobalt concentrations globally opens the perspective to support the anti‐doping system to define a suitable threshold value and to understand its potential misuse by athletes seeking for performance improvement.