Authors: Sarah Trimpin Ellen D Inutan
Publish Date: 2013/03/23
Volume: 24, Issue: 5, Pages: 722-732
Abstract
An astonishingly simple new method to produce gasphase ions of small molecules as well as proteins from the solid state under cold vacuum conditions is described This matrix assisted ionization vacuum MAIV mass spectrometry MS method produces multiply charged ions similar to those that typify electrospray ionization ESI and uses sample preparation methods that are nearly identical to matrixassisted laser desorption/ionization MALDI Unlike these established methods MAIV does not require a laser or voltage for ionization and unlike the recently introduced matrix assisted ionization inlet method does not require added heat MAIVMS requires only introduction of a crystalline mixture of the analyte incorporated with a suitable small molecule matrix compound such as 3nitrobenzonitrile directly to the vacuum of the mass spectrometer Vacuum intermediate pressure MALDI sources and modified ESI sources successfully produce ions for analysis by MS with this method As in ESIMS ion formation is continuous and without a laser little chemical background is observed MAIV operating from a surface offers the possibility of significantly improved sensitivity relative to atmospheric pressure ionization because ions are produced in the vacuum region of the mass spectrometer eliminating losses associated with ion transfer from atmospheric pressure to vacuum Mechanistic aspects and potential applications for this new ionization method are discussedNSF CAREER 0955975 ASMS Research Award Waters Co DuPont Young Professor Award Eli Lilly Young Investigator Award in Analytical Chemistry Waters Co COI program and Schaap Faculty Scholar to ST and Schaap Graduate Fellow to EDI are acknowledged The authors are grateful for Professor Hendrickson WSU and Professor McEwen USP for valuable feedback on this manuscript
Keywords: