Journal Article

Strategies for the Analysis of Poly(Methacrylic Acid) by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

Cooper, Andrew I., Wyatt, Mark F., Schaeffer, Nicolas, Tan, Bien

2007

Overview

We evaluated several aqueous-based sample preparation protocols for the analysis of poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS). The sample contained a pentaerythritol tetra(3-mercaptopropionate) end-group, and was characterized in positive and negative ion modes using 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB) and 2,4,6-trihydroxyacetophenone (THAP) matrices. The major series observed were the [M + Na] + species, in positive ion mode, and the [M − H] − species, in negative ion mode. The performance of DHB and THAP matrices was comparable in positive ion mode, but THAP outperformed DHB in negative ion mode. The use of ion-exchange beads (IXB) benefited the analysis, while the addition of sodium acetate (NaOAc) or trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) proved disadvantageous in positive ion mode.

• Publisher: Elsevier Inc,Elsevier Science,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Acetophenones - chemistry / Acids / Applied sciences / Beads / Desorption / Dihydroxybenzoic acid / Exact sciences and technology / Gentisates - chemistry / Ionization / Ions / Lasers / Mass spectrometry / Molecular Structure / Organic polymers / Physicochemistry of polymers / Polymethacrylic acid / Polymethacrylic Acids - analysis / Properties and characterization / Scientific imaging / Sodium acetate / Sodium Acetate - chemistry / Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization - methods / Spectroscopy / Structure, morphology and analysis / Trifluoroacetic Acid - chemistry