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Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Characterization of Synthetic Polymers via Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) Mass Spectrometry
Published on: June 10, 2018
Generation of end-group information from polyethers by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation collision-induced
Anthony T Jackson1, Martin R Green, Robert H Bateman
1ICI Measurement Science Group, ICI plc, Wilton Centre, Wilton, Redcar TS10 4RF, UK. tony_jackson@ici.com
Abstract:
A series of polyethers, namely poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), poly(propylene glycol) (PPG), poly(butylene glycol) (PBG) and poly(tetramethylene glycol) (PTMeG), has been characterised by means of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation collision-induced dissociation (MALDI-CID) using a hybrid sector orthogonal-time-of-flight (TOF) instrument. The data indicate that this technique can be used to generate information about the end-group functionality of these polymers, including in some cases information about branching of the alkyl chains of the initiating groups. Proposals are made for the fragmentation pathways for these polymers.
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