An ESI-MS method to determine yield and enantioselectivity in a single assay.

A mass spectrometry assay is presented here that allows for the simultaneous determination of yield and enantioselectivity in a single analysis. The assay makes use of molecules that are structurally similar to the analytes of interest as standards. The assay predicts the yields of the reactions reasonably well and with little error. For example, in the pig liver esterase catalyzed hydrolysis of one prochiral malonate, the yield predicted by the assay was 72%, while larger scale isolated reaction yields were within 5% of this value. This assay provides a fast method to determine yield and enantioselectivity in one analysis. The strengths and limitations of this method are discussed.