MALDI‐MS analysis and imaging of small molecule metabolites with 1,5‐diaminonaphthalene (DAN)

1,5‐diaminonaphthalene (DAN) has previously been reported as an effective matrix for matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization‐mass spectrometry of phospholipids. In the current work, we investigate the use of DAN as a matrix for small metabolite analysis in negative ion mode. DAN was found to provide superior ionization to the compared matrices for MW < ~400 Da; however, 9‐aminoacridine (9‐AA) was found to be superior for a uridine diphosphate standard (MW 566 Da). DAN was also found to provide a more representative profile of a natural phospholipid mixture than 9‐AA. Finally, DAN and 9‐AA were applied for imaging of metabolites directly from corn leaf sections. Published 2014. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.