DETERMINATION OF LINKAGE POSITIONS IN PERACETYLATED (METHYL) XYLO-OLIGOSACCHARIDES WITH FAST-ATOM-BOMBARDMENT MASS-SPECTROMETRY

Distinction between the linkage types 1 --> 2, 1 --> 3 and 1 --> 4 of xylobioses can be achieved on the basis of the unimolecular decomposit ion spectra of the oxonium ions of the per-O-acetylated methyl glycosi des. The spectra of the oxonium ions of various unbranched xylotri-, t etra- and pentaoses allow determination of the linkage position betwee n the xylose residues. This indicates that in unbranched peracetylated xylo-oligosaccharides the linkage between the xylose residues at the non-reducing end can be determined.