Liquid adsorption chromatography near critical conditions of adsorption coupled with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry

Chemical heterogeneities and molecular weight distributions of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-co-polymethylene (PM) model oligomers, which are relevant to the synthesis of commonly used tensides, were investigated. For analytical characterization, the well-known principle of liquid adsorption chromatography at 'critical conditions' (LACCC) was modified. Near the critical conditions of adsorption of the PEO unit, e.g., at slight adsorption conditions of PM, the copolymers could be separated according to their PM chain length. The eluates were separated and single fractions of each peak were continuously transferred onto the MALDI target by means of a commercially available device. Simultaneously, the MALDI matrix solution was continuously added with a second pump. This procedure offers the possibility of the formation of homogeneous matrix-polymer textures. By MALDI-MS a complete characterization of the chemical composition (PEO and PM chain length) of each peak could be achieved. The obtained MALDI mass spectra of the eluates at different retention times could be used for the molecular weight calibration of the LAC system. In this way, an additional application of SEC, as in conventional 2D-chromatography, was avoided by using the MALDI method as quasi chromatographic separation.