Oligosaccharides released from glycolipids by trifluoroacetolysis can be analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Carbohydrates are quantitatively released by trifluoroacetolysis of neutral glycosphingolipids that contain 4-sphingenine. During the reaction hydroxyl groups are O-trifluoroacetylated and N-acetyl hexosamines are transamidated to form N-trifluoroacetyl derivatives. Selective removal of O-trifluoroacetyl groups followed by permethylation produces derivatives with properties favorable for analysis by combined gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Electron impact mass spectra of permethylated N-trifluoroacetylated oligosaccharide alditols are characterized by strong primary and secondary fragments in which a positive charge is localized on the N-trifluoroacetyl hexosamine residue. The method enables rapid separation and identification of components in mixtures of carbohydrate chains from glycosphingolipids containing up to six simple sugars.