MALDI-TOF MS Coupled with Collision-Induced Dissociation (CID) Measurements of Poly(methyl methacrylate)
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Baumgärtel, Anja; Becer, C. Remzi; Gottschaldt, Michael; Schubert, Ulrich S.
- Abstract:
- Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS)
was chosen for an in-detail analysis of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) in order to
determine the possible fragmentation mechanism with the help of collision-induced dissociation
(CID). All experiments were performed on a well-defined PMMA standard and were
optimized for sample preparation and measurement conditions of both MS and MS/MS. In
order to investigate the fragmentation pathways, two parent peaks—both charged with
sodium (m/z¼1 625.9 and 2 226.2 Da, respectively)—were selected, thus permitting the
examination of possible cleavages, and reaction pathways. For both chosen peaks, the
MALDI-TOF MS/MS spectra revealed four fragmentation series that could be explained by
single or multiple main chain scissions and secondary reactions of the PMMA side groups.
According to the molar mass of the fragments, a loss or migration of the side group to the end
of the free radical, followed by a
b-scission, was favored. These
insights are the first steps toward
the construction of a library with
fragments and fragmentation pathways,
complementary to proteomics
libraries, in order to obtain fast and
automated identification of substances.
- Year:
- 2008
- Type of Publication:
- Article
- Journal:
- Macromolecular Rapid Communications
- Volume:
- 29
- Pages:
- 1309 - 1315