Deuterium-labeled 3-nitrobenzyl alcohol as a matrix for fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry.

The utility of deuterium-labeled 3-nitrobenzyl alcohol (DNBA) as a fast atom bombardment (FAB) matrix for establishing the number of exchangeable hydrogens present in a molecule is illustrated by the analysis of five selected antitumor agents. A method for the simple preparation of this labeled matrix is described. The use of DNBA may be of value for samples which provide no FAB spectra when deuterium-labeled glycerol is used as a matrix.