Electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry of poly [(R,S)-3-hydroxybutanoic acid] telechelics containing primary hydroxy end groups

Evaluation of polymer end-capping reactions with the aid of electrospray io nisation tandem mass spectrometry techniques (ESI-MSn) allows characterisat ion of novel poly[(R,S)-3-hydroxybutanoic acid] (a-PHB) telechelics, contai ning primary hydroxyl groups at both polymer chain ends. The chemical struc tures of individual mass-selected macromolecules of the well-defined a-PHB telechelics have been defined in this way, and fragmentation mechanisms hav e been proposed. Copyright (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.