Mass spectrometry in polymer chemistry: A state-of-the-art up-date

TLDR: A review of the state-of-the-art soft ionization mass spectrometers can be found in this paper, covering the latest developments of novel techniques, enabling instrumentation as well as the important applications.

Abstract: Two decades after the introduction of matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) and electrospray ionization (ESI), soft ionization mass spectrometry represents a powerful toolset for the structural investigation of synthetic polymers. The present review highlights the current state-of-the-art, covering the latest developments of novel techniques, enabling instrumentation as well as the important applications of soft ionization MS from the beginning of 2008. Special attention is paid to the role that soft ionization MS has played in the mechanistic investigation of radical polymerization processes since 2005. © 2010 The Royal Society of Chemistry.