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2016 ; 27
(1
): 4-21
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"Magic" Ionization Mass Spectrometry
#MMPMID26486514
Trimpin S
J Am Soc Mass Spectrom
2016[Jan]; 27
(1
): 4-21
PMID26486514
show ga
The systematic study of the temperature and pressure dependence of
matrix-assisted ionization (MAI) led us to the discovery of the seemingly
impossible, initially explained by some reviewers as either sleight of hand or
the misinterpretation by an overzealous young scientist of results reported many
years before and having little utility. The ?magic? that we were attempting to
report was that with matrix assistance, molecules, at least as large as bovine
serum albumin (66 kDa), are lifted into the gas phase as multiply charged ions
simply by exposure of the matrix:analyte sample to the vacuum of a mass
spectrometer. Applied heat, a laser, or voltages are not necessary to achieve
charge states and ion abundances only previously observed with electrospray
ionization (ESI). The fundamentals of how solid phase volatile or nonvolatile
compounds are converted to gas-phase ions without added energy currently involves
speculation providing a great opportunity to rethink mechanistic understanding of
ionization processes used in mass spectrometry. Improved understanding of the
mechanism(s) of these processes and their connection to ESI and matrix-assisted
laser desorption/ionization may provide opportunities to further develop new
ionization strategies for traditional and yet unforeseen applications of mass
spectrometry. This Critical Insights article covers developments leading to the
discovery of a seemingly magic ionization process that is simple to use, fast,
sensitive, robust, and can be directly applied to surface characterization using
portable or high performance mass spectrometers.