Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Leibniz Institute for Polymer Research Dresden, Hohe Str. 6, 01069 Dresden (Germany) Faculty of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, Dresden University of Technology, Mommsenstr. 4, 01062, Dresden, Germany.
Institute of Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstr. 10, 07743, Jena, Germany.
Chem Asian J. 2021 Apr 19;16(8):868-878. doi: 10.1002/asia.202100044. Epub 2021 Mar 19.
The analysis of low molecular weight (LMW) compounds is of great interest to detect small pharmaceutical drugs rapidly and sensitively, or to trace and understand metabolic pathways. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI MS) plays a central role in the analysis of high molecular weight (bio)molecules. However, its application for LMW compounds is restricted by spectral interferences in the low m/z region, which are produced by conventional organic matrices. Several strategies regarding sample preparation have been investigated to overcome this problem. A different rationale is centred on developing new matrices which not only meet the fundamental requirements of good absorption and high ionization efficiency, but are also vacuum stable and "MALDI silent", i. e., do not give matrix-related signals in the LMW area. This review gives an overview on the rational design strategies used to develop matrix systems for the analysis of LMW compounds, focusing on (i) the modification of well-known matrices, (ii) the search for high molecular weight matrices, (iii) the development of binary, hybrid and nanomaterial-based matrices, (iv) the advance of reactive matrices and (v) the progress made regarding matrices for negative or dual polarity mode.
分析低分子量 (LMW) 化合物对于快速灵敏地检测小分子药物，或追踪和了解代谢途径非常重要。基质辅助激光解吸/电离质谱 (MALDI MS) 在分析高分子量 (生物) 分子中起着核心作用。然而，其在 LMW 化合物中的应用受到常规有机基质在低 m/z 区域产生的光谱干扰的限制。已经研究了几种关于样品制备的策略来克服这个问题。一种不同的原理是集中开发新的基质，这些基质不仅满足良好吸收和高离化效率的基本要求，而且还具有真空稳定性和“MALDI 静默性”，即在 LMW 区域不给出基质相关的信号。本综述概述了用于分析 LMW 化合物的基质系统的合理设计策略，重点介绍了 (i) 对知名基质的修饰、(ii) 对高分子量基质的寻找、(iii) 二元、混合和基于纳米材料的基质的开发、(iv) 反应性基质的进展以及 (v) 关于负或双极性模式的基质的进展。
