Negative-mode MALDI mass spectrometry for the analysis of pigments using tetrathiafulvalene as a matrix

Negative-mode matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) analysis of industrial pigments was performed using tetrathiafulvalene (TTF), an electron donating compound, as a matrix. Comparing with other matrices such as tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ), dithranol, 2-hydroxy-6-nitroaniline (HNA), and harmine hydrochloride, the most abundant analyte ions were produced by the TTF as radical or deprotonated anions. In addition, fragment ions in the negative mode of operation are also found to be much less abundant than those in the positive mode of operation. Copyright (C) 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.