Effect of a new matrix system for low-polar organic compounds in fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry

A new matrix system m-NBA-DTDE (1:1) for FABMS of low-polar compounds, such as cholesterol and stearic acid methyl ester, was prepared. The system, i.e., a 1:1 mixture of m-NBA (m-nitrobenzyl alcohol) to DTDE (2,2-dithiodiethanol or 2-hydroxyethyl disulfide), contributed to measuring the positive ion FAB mass spectra of above compounds and morusin permethyl ether, and it brought an effective result on the ion current lifetime and the reproducibility of their spectra. The positive ion FAB mass spectra of these low-polar compounds were compared with the corresponding positive ion EI and CI mass spectra. (author)