MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry of insoluble giant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by a new method of sample preparation

The insolubility of giant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) prevents their characterization by conventional analytical methods, which require a solubilization of the analyte. Laser desorption mass spectrometry may be used to analyze insoluble samples but is limited to relatively low molecular weights (∼2000), in the case of PAHs. To overcome this limitation, we applied MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Since MALDI sample preparation also requires solubility of analyte and matrix molecules, the sample preparation needed modification. The giant PAHs (>2000 Da) were investigated after using a new sample preparation, consisting of mechanically mixing analyte and matrix without any solubilization procedures. This solvent-free process allows insoluble compounds to be characterized. Furthermore, new organic molecules can be used as a matrix. Indeed, 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane, a new matrix with promising properties, has proven to be particularly suitable for the measurement of PAHs. Thanks to the successf...