Graphite as a Matrix for Organotin Polymers

Choosing the correct MALDI MS matrix is a problem because of the possible reaction of many matrixes with ion fragments formed from the polymer. Graphite has been used as a matrix and it eliminates the reaction between the matrix and polymer creating spurious ion fragment clusters. Also, ion fragments created by graphite are found below 500 Da, below the mass range typically employed by us. We report the initial use of graphite for a number of organotin polymers in creating MALDI MS that do not contain these false ion fragments. Use of graphite as the matrix also gives higher mass ion fragments compared with the use of alpha-cyano-4-hydroxcinnamic acid, a widely used MALDI MS matrix.