esi/ms and polylactic acid

[vestelshirley]

I have a chemical engineer who is making polylactic acid (MW>100,000 Daltons). I understand the SEC instrument can be calibrated by getting the molecular weight of the synthetic polymer by esi/ms - preferably maldi-tof. Does anyone know if polylactic acid (MW > 100,000 Daltons) can be done by esi/ion-trap?

[MG]

Whether it will work, I can't say for sure, but it is possible. To see it by ESI-ion trap, it will have to form multiply charged ions within the m/z range of your trap. The upper limit of your trap is probably 4000 to 6000 m/z. Also, I don't know what that polymer is soluble in, but if it will only dissolve in a nonpolar solvent, then you'll have a better chance of getting signal if you add 5-10% of a polar solvent, such as isopropanol. Sounds like an interesting experiment, and I would like to hear how it turns out if you attempt it!