End-group characterisation of poly(propylene glycol)s by means of electrospray ionisation–tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS)

The end-group functionalisation of a series of poly(propylene glycol)s has been characterised by means of electrospray ionisation–tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS). A series of peaks with mass-to-charge ratios that are close to that of the precursor ion were used to generate information on the end-group functionalities of the poly(propylene glycol)s. Fragment ions resulting from losses of both of the end groups were noted from some of the samples. An example is presented of how software can be used to significantly reduce the length of time involved in data interpretation (which is typically the most time-consuming part of the analysis).