Dopant-Assisted Atmospheric Pressure Photoionization Mass Spectrometry of Polyisobutylene Derivatives Initiated by Mono- and Bifunctional Initiators

Nine polyisobutylene (PIB) derivatives with different end groups (chlorine, vinyl, isobutenyl, 2,2-diphenylvinyl, and carboxyl) and molecular weights (1000 to 4500 g/mol), initiated by monofunctional and aromatic bifunctional initiators were studied by atmospheric pressure photoionization mass spectrometry (APPI-MS) in both negative and positive ion modes. Consistent with previous findings, negative ion APPI-MS revealed end-group identities through the formation of PIB adducts with chloride ions formed in situ from a chlorinated solvent (e.g., CCl4) in the presence of a dopant (toluene). In positive ion mode, considerable fragmentation of these PIB derivatives was observed, rendering end-group determinations very difficult. The Mn values obtained by APPI(−)-MS were considerably lower than those determined by SEC for PIB derivatives with Mn higher than 2000 g/mol. PIBs containing carboxyl termini can undergo collision-induced dissociation, yielding structurally important product ions. The resulting APPI-MS/MS intensities were found to reflect the “arm-length” distribution for PIBs with bifunctional aromatic moieties. In positive ion mode, [M + COCl]+ adducts were observed for PIBs with an aromatic initiator moiety. The origin of the COCl+ species is also discussed.

Graphical AbstractNine polyisobutylene derivatives with different end-groups and molecular weights initiated by mono- and aromatic bifunctional initiators were studied by atmospheric pressure photoionization mass spectrometry.Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (118 K)Download as PowerPoint slide