Molecular Weight Determination of Polymers by Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization in Mass Spectrometry

Matrix assisted laser desorption ionization in mass spectrometry is a fast and accurate method to determine the molecular weight of natural and synthetic polymers. Unknown peptides such as elastase inhibitor and $\small{D}$-hydantoinase were analyzed using sinapinic acid as matrix and their molecular weights were compared with the results from protein sequencer and gel filtration chomatography, respectively. Synthetic polymers such as polyethyleneglycol, polypropyleneglycol, polydimethylsiloxane, and polystyrene were analyzed using matrices such as 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 4-hdroxyazobenzenecarboxylic acid, and 2-nitrophenyl octyl ether. Average molecular weights of polystyrene were compared with molecular weights by gel permeation chromatography.