Polymerization in situ Accompanying Field Desorption Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

Field desorption mass spectrometry of hydroxycarboxylic acids results in ions corresponding to condensation polymerization with water loss. The phenomenon is particularly marked with 3-hydroxypropanoic acid where at high anode temperatures the base peak corresponds to 6M – 5H2O and ions up to 13M – 12H2O are observed.