TY - JOUR A1 - Lee, C. A1 - Inutan, E. D. A1 - Chen, J. L. A1 - Mukeku, M. M. A1 - Weidner, Steffen A1 - Trimpin, S. A1 - Ni, C.-K. T1 - Toward understanding the ionization mechanism of matrix‐assisted ionization using mass spectrometry experiment and theory N2 - Matrix‐assisted ionization (MAI) mass spectrometry does not require voltages, a laser beam, or added heat to initiate ionization, but it is strongly dependent on the choice of matrix and the vacuum conditions. High charge state distributions of nonvolatile analyte ions produced by MAI suggest that the ionization mechanism may be similar to that of electrospray ionization (ESI), but different from matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI). While significant information is available for MAI using mass spectrometers operating at atmospheric and intermediate pressure, little is known about the mechanism at high vacuum. Eleven MAI matrices were studied on a high‐vacuum time‐of‐flight (TOF) mass spectrometer using a 266 nm pulsed laser beam under otherwise typical MALDI conditions. Detailed comparisons with the commonly used MALDI matrices and theoretical prediction were made for 3‐nitrobenzonitrile (3‐NBN), which is the only MAI matrix that works well in high vacuum when irradiated with a laser. Screening of MAI matrices with good absorption at 266 nm but with various degrees of volatility and laser energies suggests that volatility and absorption at the laser wavelength may be necessary, but not sufficient, criteria to explain the formation of multiply charged analyte ions. 3‐NBN produces intact, highly charged ions of nonvolatile analytes in high‐vacuum TOF with the use of a laser, demonstrating that ESI‐like ions can be produced in high vacuum. Theoretical calculations and mass spectra suggest that thermally induced proton transfer, which is the major ionization mechanism in MALDI, is not important with the 3‐NBN matrix at 266 nm laser wavelength. 3‐NBN:analyte crystal morphology is, however, important in ion generation in high vacuum. The 3‐NBN MAI matrix produces intact, highly charged ions of nonvolatile compounds in high‐vacuum TOF mass spectrometers with the aid of ablation and/or heating by laser irradiation, and shows a different ionization mechanism from that of typical MALDI matrices. KW - Ionization KW - MALDI-TOF MS KW - Mechanism PY - 2021 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1002/rcm.8382 VL - 35 IS - 51 SP - e8382 PB - John Wiley & Sons AN - OPUS4-49209 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Trimpin, S. A1 - Inutan, E. A1 - Karki, S. A1 - Elia, E. A1 - Zhang, W. A1 - Weidner, Steffen A1 - Marshall, D. A1 - Hoang, K. A1 - Lee, C. A1 - Davis, E. A1 - Smith, V. A1 - Meher, A. A1 - Cornejo, M. A1 - Auner, G. A1 - McEwen, C. T1 - Fundamental studies of new ionization technologies and insights from IMS-MS N2 - Exceptional ion mobility spectrometry mass spectrometry (IMS-MS) developments by von Helden, Jarrold, and Clemmer provided technology that gives a view of chemical/biological compositions previously not achievable. The ionization method of choice used with IMS-MS has been electrospray ionization (ESI). In this Special issue contribution, we focus on fundamentals of heretofore unprecedented means for transferring volatile and nonvolatile compounds into gas-phase ions singly and multiply charged. These newer ionization processes frequently lead to different selectivity relative to ESI and, together with IMS-MS, may provide a more comprehensive view of chemical compositions directly from their original Environment such as surfaces, e.g., tissue. Similarities of results using solvent- and matrix-assisted ionization are highlighted, as are differences between ESI and the inlet ionization methods, especially with mixtures such as bacterial extracts. Selectivity using different matrices is discussed, as are results which add to our fundamental knowledge of inlet ionization as well as pose additional avenues for inquiry. IMS-MS provides an opportunity for comparison studies relative to ESI and will prove valuable using the new ionization technologies for direct analyses. Our hypothesis is that some ESI-IMS-MS applications will be replaced by the new ionization processes and by understanding mechanistic aspects to aid enhanced source and method developments this will be hastened. KW - Inlet ionization KW - Vacuum ionization KW - Matrices KW - Fundamentals KW - Ion mobility PY - 2019 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1007/s13361-019-02194-7 SN - 1044-0305 SN - 1879-1123 VL - 30 IS - 6 SP - 1133 EP - 1147 PB - Springer AN - OPUS4-48011 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Trimpin, S. A1 - Lee, C. A1 - Weidner, Steffen A1 - El-Baba, T. A1 - Lutomski, C. A1 - Inutan, E. A1 - Foley, C. A1 - Ni, C.-K. A1 - McEwen, C. T1 - Unprecedented Ionization Processes in Mass SpectrometryProvide Missing Link between ESI and MALDI N2 - In the field of mass spectrometry,producing intact, highly-charged protein ions from surfaces is a conundrum with significant potential payoff in application areas ranging from bio-medical to clinical research. Here, we report on the ability to form intact, highly-charged protein ions on high vacuum time-of-flight mass spectrometers in the linear and reflectron modes achievable using experimental conditions that allow effective matrix removal from both the sample surfaces and from the charged clusters formed by the laser Ablation event. The charge states are the highest reported on high vacuum mass spectrometers, yet they remain at only around athird of the highest charge obtained using laser ablation with a suitable matrix at atmospheric pressure. Other than physical instrument modifications, the key to forming abundant and stable highly-charged ions appears to be the volatility of the matrix used. Cumulative results suggest mechanistic links between the ionization process reported here and traditional ionization methods of electrospray ionization and matrix-assisted laser desorp-tion/ionization. KW - MALDI KW - Electrospray KW - Mass spectrometry KW - Ionization PY - 2018 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1002/cphc.201701246 SN - 1439-4235 SN - 1439-7641 VL - 19 IS - 5 SP - 581 EP - 589 PB - Wiley-VCH AN - OPUS4-44404 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Fischer, J.L. A1 - Lutomski, C.A. A1 - El-Baba, T.J. A1 - Siriwardena-Mahanama, B.N. A1 - Weidner, Steffen A1 - Falkenhagen, Jana A1 - Allen, M. J. A1 - Trimpin, S. T1 - Matrix-assisted ionization-ion mobility spectrometry-mass spectrometry: Selective analysis of a europium-PEG complex in a crude mixture N2 - The analytical utility of a new and simple to use ionization method, matrix-assisted ionization (MAI), coupled with ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) and mass spectrometry (MS) is used to characterize a 2-armed europium(III)-containing poly(ethylene glycol) (Eu-PEG) complex directly from a crude sample. MAI was used with the matrix 1,2-dicyanobenzene, which affords low chemical background relative to matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) and electrospray ionization (ESI). MAI provides high ion abundance of desired products in comparison to ESI and MALDI. Inductively coupled plasma-MS measurements were used to estimate a maximum of 10% of the crude sample by mass was the 2-arm Eu-PEG complex, supporting evidence of selective ionization of Eu-PEG complexes using the new MAI matrix, 1,2-dicyanobenzene. Multiply charged ions formed in MAI enhance the IMS gas-phase separation, especially relative to the singly charged ions observed with MALDI. Individual components are cleanly separated and readily identified, allowing characterization of the 2-arm Eu-PEG conjugate from a mixture of the 1-arm Eu-PEG complex and unreacted starting materials. Size-exclusion chromatography, liquid chromatography at critical conditions, MALDI-MS, ESI-MS, and ESI-IMS-MS had difficulties with this analysis, or failed. KW - Matrix-assisted ionization ion mobility spectrometry mass spectrometry KW - Europium KW - Poly(ethylene glycol) KW - Size-exclusion chromatography KW - Liquid chromatography at critical conditions KW - Electrospray ionization KW - Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization KW - Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry KW - ESI KW - MALDI KW - SEC PY - 2015 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1007/s13361-015-1233-8 SN - 1044-0305 VL - 26 IS - 12 SP - 2086 EP - 2095 PB - Elsevier CY - New York, NY AN - OPUS4-35283 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Weidner, Steffen A1 - Trimpin, S. T1 - Mass Spectrometry of Synthetic Polymers KW - Mass Spectrometry KW - Polymers KW - Application PY - 2008 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1021/ac8006413 SN - 0003-2700 SN - 1520-6882 VL - 80 IS - 12 SP - 4349 EP - 4361 PB - American Chemical Society CY - Washington, DC AN - OPUS4-17718 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Trimpin, S. A1 - Weidner, Steffen A1 - Falkenhagen, Jana A1 - McEwen, C.N. T1 - Fractionation and Solvent-Free MALDI-MS Analysis of Polymers Using Liquid Adsorption Chromatography at Critical Conditions in Combination with a Multisample On-Target Homogenization/Transfer Sample Preparation Method N2 - A solvent-free homogenization/transfer matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry (MS) method is described for the preparation and precise transfer of up to 100 samples simultaneously on a single MALDI plate. This method is demonstrated using a poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) mixture consisting of different molecular weights (500-6000) and end groups (PEO, dimethoxy-PEO, monomethoxy monomethacrylate-PEO, and dimethacrylate-PEO) that was fractionated using liquid adsorption chromatography at critical conditions. Off-line fractionation is performed prior to the on-target homogenization/transfer solvent-free sample preparation and MALDI mass analysis. The miniaturization of the solvent-free MALDI approach allowed analysis of less than 2 g per PEO component per fraction corresponding to ~200 pmol for PEO 6000. The amounts of polymer sample used for LC separation and the quality of the MS results are equivalent to the "dry spray" method; however, three times more fractions were collected and analyzed with the newly developed hyphenated approach. The off-line method eliminates optimization of, for example, spray conditions or spreading of organic solvents on the MALDI plate that occurs with droplet deposition methods. The widespread applications of MALDI make this solvent-free, multisample method particularly important as it expands the capabilities for obtaining mass measurements with great efficiencies in areas with increased sample numbers. In addition, the solvent-free method is well suited for automated MALDI analysis as it virtually eliminates the "dead-spot" phenomenon. PY - 2007 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1021/ac070986w SN - 0003-2700 SN - 1520-6882 VL - 79 IS - 19 SP - 7565 EP - 7570 PB - American Chemical Society CY - Washington, DC AN - OPUS4-17737 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -