Electrospray ionisation Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry of dynamic combinatorial libraries

The use of electrospray ionisation Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonanc e tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-FTICR-MS/MS) for the analysis of dynamic co mbinatorial libraries (DCLs) of pseudo-peptide macrocyclic hydrazone oligom ers is presented. The design of library building blocks results in mixtures of compounds with greater diversity than libraries generated by convention al combinatorial chemistry and so presents increased demands for analysis. The extended capabilities of the FTICR technique, specifically selective io n trapping, sensitivity, high resolution and mass accuracy over a broad mas s range, are compatible with these increased demands and, most importantly, without the need for chromatography. Preliminary studies on the sequencing of cyclic oligomers and confirmation of the presence of sequence isomers a re presented. These studies highlight the potential of FTICR-MS as a superi or technique for the analysis of combinatorially generated compounds. Copyr ight (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.