Effects of cations and charge types on the metastable decay rates of oligosaccharides.

Metastable decay rates of alpha-cyclodextrin and maltohexaose coordinated to proton and alkali metal ions were determined from ions produced by liquid secondary ion mass spectrometry in an external source Fourier transform mass spectrometry instrument. For both oligosaccharide compounds the decay rates of the protonated species are faster than any alkali metal coordinated species. Decay rates of the metal cationized species decrease in the order Li+, Na+, K+, and Cs+. The anion of alpha-cyclodextrin has the slowest measurable decomposition rate. The relationships between cation affinities and rates are explored.