Charge-remote fragmentation of lithiated fatty acids on a TOF-TOF instrument using matrix-ionization

In numerous studies charge remote fragmentation (CRF) has been shown to be a powerful technique for determination of primary structure by allowing location of double bonds, various functional groups, and branching in a variety of compound types directly by mass spectrometry. Instrumentation and ionization methods traditionally used for CRF, however, are becoming rare, in large part because ESI and MALDI have to a significant extent replaced them. Here we demonstrate that by selecting a matrix that promotes rather than suppresses ionization of fatty acids (FA) by lithium ion adduction, and using a TOF-TOF mass spectrometer for high-energy collisional activation, CRF ions are produced that allow location of double-bond and branching positions. Further, we show that by using solvent-free MALDI sample preparation methods, thus eliminating the inherent segregation of the hydrophobic fatty acid from the hydrophilic LiCl that can occur during the evaporation of solvent, the desired [FA-H+2Li](+) ions are greatly enhanced. Because FAs can be vaporized using laser desorption, matrix assistance in desorption of the fatty acid may occur, but is not necessary. However, the matrix plays a crucial role in enhancing or suppressing ionization. For example, matrix materials with acid (e.g., 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid) or hydroxy groups (e.g., dithranol) compete with the FA for Li(+) and because of the high ratio of matrix to analyte, FA lithium adduction is minimized. However, highly electron-deficient matrix materials (e.g., TCNQ) readily donate Li(+) to FAs because of the instability associated with being positively charged.