Characterization of Homopolymer Distributions via Direct Infusion ESI-MS/MS using Wide Mass-to-Charge Windows and Gas-Phase Ion/Ion Reactions.

ABSTRACT: A hallmark of electrospray ionization (ESI) of large polymeric molecules is its tendency to generate charge state distributions. When a distribution of polymers is subjected to ESI, the charge state distribution of each component can lead to a mass spectrum composed of a highly congested mixture of ions with overlapping mass-to-charge (m/z) ratios. When the polymers are composed of a common monomeric unit (i.e., a homopolymer), the overlap of the charge state distributions of the polymer components can give rise to striking spectral patterns with a dense central cluster of peaks having similar m/z values and wing-like patterns on either side. We refer to the central cluster of peaks as an "Emerald City," with a nod to the Wizard of Oz, combining the wings as an

SUBMITTER: Chao HC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9648535 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature