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Ion formation in MALDI mass spectrometry
Author(s) -
Zenobi Renato,
Knochenmuss Richard
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
mass spectrometry reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.035
H-Index - 126
eISSN - 1098-2787
pISSN - 0277-7037
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1098-2787(1998)17:5<337::aid-mas2>3.0.co;2-s
Subject(s) - chemistry , mass spectrometry , photoionization , ion , ion source , ionization , chemical ionization , reflectron , fragmentation (computing) , soft laser desorption , matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization , atmospheric pressure laser ionization , desorption , time of flight mass spectrometry , chromatography , organic chemistry , adsorption , computer science , operating system
The origin of ions in matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry is currently a matter of active research. A number of chemical and physical pathways have been suggested for MALDI ion formation, including gas‐phase photoionization, ion–molecule reactions, disproportionation, excited‐state proton transfer, energy pooling, thermal ionization, and desorption of preformed ions. These pathways and others are critically reviewed, and their varying roles in the wide variety of MALDI experiments are discussed. An understanding of ionization pathways should help to maximize ion yields, control analyte charge states and fragmentation, and gain access to new classes of analytes. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Mass Spec Rev 17: 337–366, 1998