title: Strategies for the analysis of poly(methacrylic acid) by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: EPSRC National Mass Spectrometry Service Centre (NMSSC), School of Medicine, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom. m.f.wyatt@swansea.ac.uk
authors.forename: Mark F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Wyatt
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Schaeffer
authors.forename: Bien
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Andrew I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Cooper
mesh_terms: D000098:Acetophenones / Q000737:chemistry; D005841:Gentisates / Q000737:chemistry; D015394:Molecular Structure; D011109:Polymethacrylic Acids / Q000032:analysis*; D019346:Sodium Acetate / Q000737:chemistry; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / Q000379:methods*; D014269:Trifluoroacetic Acid / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000098:Acetophenones; D005841:Gentisates; D011109:Polymethacrylic Acids; C030613:polymethacrylic acid; D019346:Sodium Acetate; C107067:2,4,6-trihydroxyacetophenone; D014269:Trifluoroacetic Acid; C010925:2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid