Fast Sensitive UPLC Electro Spray Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectroscopy Determination of Diethanolamine in Small Dendritic Nanomolecules

ObjectivesEstablishing fast sensitive methods to remove, detect and quantify traces of diethanolamine (DEA) from Generation 1 DEA terminated dendrimers (G1-OH) as a model for hydroxyl terminated dendrimers.MethodsThe method is based on a relatively recent ultra Performance liquid chromatography electro spray ionization time of flight mass spectroscopy (UPLC-ESI-TOF-MS).ResultsSmall dendrimers with surface hydroxyl groups were cleaned by dialysis and traces of DEA (1.9 ng) was detected and measured. The total UPLC-ESI-TOF-MS run time was 10 minutes. The amount of dendrimers required for the analysis was 50 ng/injection. The volume of the mobile phase used was 1.5ml/run.ConclusionThe present study reports a fast sensitive method for the separation and determination of traces of free DEA molecules (have no natural chromophores or fluorophores) in small dendritic nano molecules by UPLC ESI TOF MS with very small volumes of commercially available reagents.