Structural analysis of synthetic polymer mixtures using ion mobility and tandem mass spectrometry

Anal Chem. 2008 Dec 15;80(24):9720-5. doi: 10.1021/ac801716c.

Abstract

Ion mobility (IM) combined with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) has been employed to separate and differentiate between polyether oligomers with the same nominal molecular weights. Poly(ethylene glycol)s with the same nominal mass-to-charge ratio (m/z), but with differing structures, were separated using ion mobility. IM-MS/MS data were able to aid identification of the backbone and end groups of the four individual polyethers in the two sets of isobaric mixtures. The MS/MS data from the resolved oligomers enabled a detailed structural characterization of the polyether mixtures to be completed in one experiment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Complex Mixtures / chemistry*
  • Ions
  • Models, Molecular
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry*
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry*

Substances

  • Complex Mixtures
  • Ions
  • Polyethylene Glycols