This work contributes to the understanding of ion formation reactions accompanying the transition of molecules from the condensed phase into the gas phase. Furthermore, structural features of the gaseous carbon-based ions are elucidated. The applied scientific tools comprise the use of soft ionisation methods such as matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation (MALDI) and electrospray ionisation (ESI) in conjunction with tandem mass spectrometry in the form of collision-induced dissociation (CID) experiments. The compounds under investigation are of particular importance in the context of new synthetic carbon allotropes and carbon-rich molecules and comprise compound classes such as polyynes, fullerene derivatives, dendrimeric perylenetetra...