Electrospray interface molecular weight determination

Asserud et al. [70] used SEC with an electrospray interface to couple to a FTMS. They characterized a variety of poly (methyl methacrylate) polymers. This allowed them to accurately determine not only the molecular weight distribution, but also the end-group functionality and observe secondary polymer distributions... 

Mass spectrum interpretation is essential to solve one or more of the following problems establishment of molecular weight and of empirical formula detection of functional groups and other substituents determination of molecular skeleton (atom connectivity) elucidation of precise structure and, even in favorable cases, certain stereochemical features. As discussed in the previous chapters, electrospray (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) are two of the most effective and successful interfaces for the liquid chromatography—mass spectrometry (LC—MS) that have been developed. Thus, we will focus on how to interpret the mass spectral data generated by either ESI or APCI in this section. 

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