An emerging application of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry is the analysis of low molecular weight (LMW) compounds, often via coupled liquid chromatography — MALDI-MS methods. However, in many cases, the low molecular weight region of MALDI mass spectra is obscured by the presence of signals originating from the matrix, suggesting that the development of tethered MALDI matrixes may be required to optimize MS performance for such compounds. To gain insight into potential sites for covalent attachment of MALDI matrixes, we have systematically investigated the role played by a variety of functional group motifs in determining matrix efficiency for three common MALDI matrixes, as judged both by total signal intensity and background noise from matrix decomposition for a set of LMW compounds. A series of allyl derivatives of standard matrixes was prepared, and the efficiency of these materials in the MALDI experiment was measured. All modifications of established matrixes, e.g., 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB), α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CHCA), and caffeic acid (CA), or close analogues led to decreased absolute signal intensity and signal-to-background levels. Improved performance was generally observed with (i) the presence of a phenolic group (carboxylic acids were less effective) (ii) crystalline derivatives, and (iii) compounds that had high extinction coefficients at wavelengths near to that of the exciting laser (337 nm). The most interesting derivatives were the O-allyl ether (15) and N-allyl amide (16) of caffeic acid. These compounds did not facilitate signals from all four analytes tested. However, the observed spectra contained fewer signals from the matrix than from the parent compound CA. These compounds demonstrate that functionalization of MALDI matrixes, ultimately leading to tethered matrixes, is possible without jeopardizing signal intensity.Key words: MALDI, protected matrix, phenol, caffeic acid, allyl ether.
基质辅助激光解吸电离(MALDI)质谱的一个新兴应用是分析低分子量(LMW)化合物,通常采用液相色谱-MALDI-MS 联用方法。然而,在许多情况下,MALDI 质谱的低分子量区域会因基质信号的存在而变得模糊不清,这表明可能需要开发系留 MALDI 基质,以优化此类化合物的质谱性能。为了深入了解共价附着 MALDI 基质的潜在位点,我们系统地研究了各种官能团基团在决定三种常见 MALDI 基质的基质效率方面所起的作用,这些作用是通过一组低分子量化合物的总信号强度和基质分解产生的背景噪声来判断的。我们制备了一系列标准基质的烯丙基衍生物,并测量了这些材料在 MALDI 实验中的效率。对 2,5-二羟基苯甲酸 (DHB)、α-氰基-4-羟基肉桂酸 (CHCA) 和咖啡酸 (CA) 等既定基质或近似物的所有改性都会导致绝对信号强度和信号-背景水平的降低。一般来说,(i) 含有酚基(羧酸的效果较差)(ii) 结晶衍生物,以及 (iii) 在接近激发激光波长(337 纳米)时消光系数较高的化合物,其性能会有所改善。最有趣的衍生物是咖啡酸的 O-烯丙基醚(15)和 N-烯丙基酰胺(16)。这些化合物并没有促进所有四种测试分析物发出信号。不过,观察到的光谱中来自基质的信号少于来自母体化合物 CA 的信号。这些化合物表明,在不影响信号强度的情况下,对 MALDI 基质进行功能化,最终形成系留基质是可能的:MALDI、保护基质、苯酚、咖啡酸、烯丙基醚。