A self-assembled matrix monolayer for UV-MALDI mass spectrometry

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry has in recent years significantly advanced the field of polymer analysis. However, the mechanisms of the desorption and ionization processes, and in particular the critical role played by the matrix, remain unclear. In the present work, the usual matrix is replaced with a self-assembled monolayer consisting of a UV absorbing matrix-like compound covalently linked to a gold surface. Analytes such as proteins or oligonucleotides are directly deposited on the covalently modified probe tips and mass analyzed by laser desorption time of flight (TOF) mass spectrometry. Several types of monolayers were investigated and tested for their ability to produce positive and negative analyte ions. Molecular ion signals were obtained for dT(10) oligonucleotides and proteins as large as cytochrome C on monolayers of methyl N-(4-mercaptophenyl)carbamate (MMPC). The amenability of this model system to characterization with established physical and chemical methods should help investigate the processes involved in MALDI.