Characterization of different poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline)s via matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) coupled with CID (collision-induced dissocn.) has been used for the detailed characterization of two poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline)s as part of a continuing study of synthetic polymers by MALDI-TOF MS/MS. These expts. provided information about the variety of fragmentation pathways for poly(oxazoline)s. It was possible to show that, in addn. to the eliminations of small mols., like ethene and hydrogen, the McLafferty rearrangement is also a possible fragmentation route. A library of fragmentation pathways for synthetic polymers was also constructed and such a library should enable the fast and automated data anal. of polymers in the future. [on SciFinder (R)