METHODS FOR THE ANALYSIS OF HYDROCARBON POLYMERS BY MATRIX-ASSISTED LASER DESORPTION IONIZATION TIME-OF-FLIGHT MASS-SPECTROMETRY/

With the addition of silver acetoacetonate to matrices of trans-3-indo leacrylic acid or 1,4-di-(2-(5-phenyl-oxazolyl))benzene, methods have been developed for the analysis of hydrocarbon polymers by matrix-assi sted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spect rometry. Silver cationized molecular ions were produced for polymers o f styrene, butadiene and isoprene up to mass 125 000 Da. For lower-mas s styrene polymers, the resolved oligomer molecular ions provide infor mation concerning the end group. Average molecular weights determined by MALDI-TOF are in good agreement with values from gel-permeation chr omatography.