The characterization of complex mixtures by field desorption-tandem mass spectrometry

This paper shows the first application of field desorption-tandem mass spectrometry (FD-MS/MS) in a hybrid sector, orthogonal acceleration time-of-flight mass spectrometer. This instrumentation has significant advantages in detection limits for MS/MS experiments over four sector mass spectrometers. This is important when using FD ionization from which low ion currents are generated. Data are shown from a few classes of industrial compounds and the proposed fragmentation pathways are described.