A flexible and multifunctional metal-organic framework as a matrix for analysis of small molecules using laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry

A variety of functional metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) were prepared via a universal method and served as matrices in small molecule analysis using laser desorption/ ionization mass spectrometry. Among them, cysteine-MOF was found to be a multifunctional composite as an excellent matrix and an efficient adsorbent for N-glycans due to its high hydrophilicity, low background interference and unique size-exclusion effect.