Evaluation of Pyridoindoles, Pyridylindoles and Pyridylpyridoindoles as Matrices for UV-Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-flight Mass Spectrometry

H. NONAMI; F. WU,; R.P. THUMMEL; Y. FUKUYAMA; H. YAMAOKA; R. ERRA-BALSELLS

RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM.

Wiley

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2001 vol. 15 p. 2354 - 2373

0951-4198

In an effort to gain an understanding of the processes governing matrix-assisted ultraviolet laser desorption/ionization (UV-MALDI), direct comparison was made of the mass spectra of proteins, carbohydrates and synthetic polymers (polyethylene glycol, polyester and polyamide) by using pyridylindoles, pyridoindoles and pyridylpyridoindoles as UV (337 nm)-MALDI TOF-MS matrices in positive and negative ion modes. In order to study the combined effect of the indole N-H and the pyridine nitrogen of the MALDI matrix on the desorption/ionisation process in MALDI, compounds were selected that include either or both of these functions in their structure. Within the compounds studied only those that possess simultaneously both functions in a 1,4-relation behave as very good matrices for proteins. These compounds also work as matrices for some carbohydrates and synthetic polymers used as analytes in the present study. Some of the compounds were also found to be useful for the post-source decay (PSD) analysis of cyclodextrins in positive and negative ion modes. In several cases we also examined the matrix behaviour of the corresponding N-methyl indole derivatives.