Analysis of Synthetic Polymers by MALDI-TOF-MS

trans-2-[3-(4-tert-Butylphenyl)-2-methyl-2-propenylidene]malononitrile (DCTB) is a non-protic matrix for MALDI-TOF-MS. The application to the analysis of fullerene derivatives was first reported by Luftmann et al.¹⁾ Then it was used as the matrix for MALDI-TOF-MS analysis of synthetic polymers. For example, Gerbaux et al. have gotten a positive result in the measurement of the average number molecular weight of polythiophene by using DCTB.²⁾ Brandt et al. have reported the model-optimization concerning the mixing ratio of polymer / matrix / cationization reagent. Therefore, it is expected to be applied to the analyses of various synthetic polymers.^3,4)