Tris(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)methyl carbenium ion for charge derivatization of amines and amino acids

Primary and secondary alkyl amines substitute readily one of the para-methoxy substituents of tris(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)methyl carbenium ion. With this rapid process, the preparation of permanently charged positive derivatives of amines, amino acids and small C-protected peptides is achieved. This is utilized here to facilitate the matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) analysis of these compounds. Copyright (C) 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.