Application of a simple methylation procedure for the analyses of glycosphingolipids

Acid and neutral glycosphingolipids (0.01-1 mumol) were completely methylated in high yields and with little formation of by-products in 10 min at room temperature, using methyl sulphoxide, methyl iodide, and powdered NaOH. Re-methylation of methylated and LiAlH4-reduced gangliosides gave a new derivative that was useful for the analysis of gangliosides by mass spectrometry.