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In-source decay of hyperbranched polyesteramides in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

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Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

Hyperbranched polyesteramides (DA2), prepared from hexahydrophthalic anhydride (D) and diisopropanolamine (A) have been characterized, by use of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS), field desorption (FD)-MS, and electrospray ionization (ESI)-MS. MALDI of polyesteramides produces protonated molecules. The spectra show a complex chemical composition distribution and end-group distribution which are mainly composed of two series of homologous oligomers D n A n+1 − mzH2O and D n A n − mH2O, where m = 1–2. Signals from protonated molecules D n A n+1 and D n A n are almost absent in the MALDI spectrum, whereas these ions are responsible for the base peak of D n A n+1 − mH2O and D n A n − mH2O (m = 1–2) clusters in the ESI spectrum. The absence of −OH end-groups signals in the MALDI spectrum is due to a metastable decay of protonated D n A n+1 and DnAn ions in the ion source of the MALDI mass spectrometer prior to ion extraction. In-source decay results in the formation of protonated lower D n A n+1 − mH2O and D n A n − mH2O oligomers and their corresponding neutrals, leading to wrong conclusions concerning the relative end-group distribution as a function of the degree of polymerization and the chemical composition.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. DSM Research, PO Box 18, 6160, MD Geleen, The Netherlands

    Dirk Muscat, Huub Henderickx, Gerard Kwakkenbos, Rolf van Benthem & Chris G. de Koster

  2. Institute of Mass Spectrometry, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Roel Fokkens & Nico M. M. Nibbering

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  1. Dirk Muscat
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  2. Huub Henderickx
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  3. Gerard Kwakkenbos
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  4. Rolf van Benthem
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  5. Chris G. de Koster
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  6. Roel Fokkens
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  7. Nico M. M. Nibbering
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Correspondence to Chris G. de Koster.

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Muscat, D., Henderickx, H., Kwakkenbos, G. et al. In-source decay of hyperbranched polyesteramides in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. J Am Soc Mass Spectrom 11, 218–227 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1016/S1044-0305(99)00141-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1044-0305(99)00141-5

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