Characterization and monitoring reaction of polyurethane dendritic wedges and dendrimers using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

The purity of polyurethane dendritic wedges from first generation through f ourth generation was verified by employing matrix-assisted laser desorption /ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS). First and third generation polyurethane porphyrin dendrimers, and tri-core dendrimers obta ined by attachment of the corresponding dendritic wedges to a porphyrin and to 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid, were also mass analyzed by MALDI measu rements. The spectra were acquired in both reflectron and linear mode. Due to the ease and speed of the analysis, MALDI-TOF also proved to be a powerf ul tool in monitoring the progress of the reaction which can provide signif icant informative results that can be useful in designing and optimizing th e synthesis. Copyright (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.