Mass spectrometric analysis of low molecular mass polyesters by laser desorption/ionization on porous silicon.

A low molecular mass polyester was analyzed by desorption/ionization on porous silicon (DIOS) mass spectrometry. The results were compared with those of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry using matrixes of alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CHCA) and 10,15,20-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrin (F20TPP). The CHCA matrix was not suitable for characterization of low molecular mass components of the polyester because the matrix-related ions interfered with the component ions. On the other hand, the F20TPP matrix showed no interference because no matrix-related ions appeared below m/z 822. However, the solvent selection for determining optimal conditions of sample preparation was limited, because F20TPP does not dissolve readily in any of the available organic solvents. In the DIOS spectra, the polymer ions were observed at high sensitivity without a contaminating ion. No matrix is needed for DIOS spectra of low molecular mass polyesters, facilitating sample preparation and selectivity of a precursor ion in post-source decay measurements. Copyright 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.