Sequencing of Side-Chain Liquid Crystalline Copolymers by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

ABSTRACT: Polyether based side-chain liquid crystalline (SCLC) copolymers with distinct microstructures were prepared using living anionic polymerization techniques. The composition, end groups, purity, and sequence of the resulting copolymers were elucidated by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). MALDI-MS analysis confirmed the presence of (CH3)3CO- and -H end groups at the initiating (α) and terminating (ω) chain end, respectively, and allowed determination of the molecular weight distribution and comonomer content of the copolymers. The comonomer positions along the polymer chain were identified by MS/MS, from the fragments formed via C-O and C-C bond cleavages in the polyether backbone. Random and block architectures coul

SUBMITTER: Snyder SR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6680698 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature