Simple and easy approach to derivatization of alcohols for the investigation by ‘soft’ ionization mass spectrometry methods
T11N2
R.S. Borisov, N.Yu. Polovkov, D.I. Zhilyaev, V.G. Zaikin
A.V. Topchiev Institute of Petrochemical Synthesis, Russian Academy of Sciences
A simple and convenient way to derivatize alcohols for their subsequent analysis by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry is proposed. The method includes the acylation of alcohols by bromoacetyl chloride following by treatment with a base (here, triethylamine). If the amine is used as a base, its excess amount in the reaction mixture immediately reacts with a bromo acetate, that is actually implemented one-step process. MALDI mass spectra of the formed quaternary salts, recorded in the presence of non-acid matrices or with the use of target with nanostructure surface, reveal only the peaks for cationic parts of derivatives. Using a mixture of aliphatic primary alcohols from С2 to С18, it is shown that the derivatization reaction proceeds completely and MALDI mass spectra can be used not only for determination of molecular masses but also for their quantitative analysis and profiling.
