Multidimensional Mass Spectrometry of Synthetic Polymers and Advanced Materials

Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2017 Feb 1;56(6):1452-1464. doi: 10.1002/anie.201607003. Epub 2017 Jan 18.

Abstract

Multidimensional mass spectrometry interfaces a suitable ionization technique and mass analysis (MS) with fragmentation by tandem mass spectrometry (MS2 ) and an orthogonal online separation method. Separation choices include liquid chromatography (LC) and ion-mobility spectrometry (IMS), in which separation takes place pre-ionization in the solution state or post-ionization in the gas phase, respectively. The MS step provides elemental composition information, while MS2 exploits differences in the bond stabilities of a polymer, yielding connectivity and sequence information. LC conditions can be tuned to separate by polarity, end-group functionality, or hydrodynamic volume, whereas IMS adds selectivity by macromolecular shape and architecture. This Minireview discusses how selected combinations of the MS, MS2 , LC, and IMS dimensions can be applied, together with the appropriate ionization method, to determine the constituents, structures, end groups, sequences, and architectures of a wide variety of homo- and copolymeric materials, including multicomponent blends, supramolecular assemblies, novel hybrid materials, and large cross-linked or nonionizable polymers.

Keywords: LC-MS; ion mobility; mass spectrometry; polymers; tandem MS.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.