Polymer CharacterizationDifferent Nitroxide-Capped Polystyrenes and their Behavior During an Analysis via MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry

Different nitroxide-terminated polystyrenes are characterized using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Careful MS analysis reveals that in contrast to TEMPO-capped chains which can be analyzed without fragmentation, a fragmentation of the N-oxyle group occurs in case of TIPNO and BIPNO. A fragmentation resulting in the loss of a t-butyl-group is proposed as consequence of the treatment during the measurement.