Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Highly Reactive Glycosyl Halides

Abstract

Highly reactive glycosyl chlorides and bromides have been analysed by a routine mass spectrometric method using electrospray ionization and lithium salt adduct-forming agents in anhydrous acetonitrile solution, providing salient lithiated molecular ions [M+Li]⁺, [2M+Li]⁺ <em>etc.</em> The role of other adduct-forming salts has also been evaluated. The lithium salt method is useful for accurate mass determination of these highly sensitive compounds.

Keywords

• glycosyl halides
• electrospray mass spectrometry
• nanoelectrospray
• lithium salts