Electrospray: Wings for Molecular Elephants

摘要

A long-standing challenge to the mass spectrometrist has been to volatilize and ionize large organic molecules in order for their molecular weights to be accurately determined. When heated, large biologically relevant polymers, such a proteins and carbohydrates, pyrolize and char before they achieve any vapor pressure. In addition, electron dissociation-ionization processes in the ionizer of traditional mass spectrometers cause extensive cracking of the "parent" ion, thus making interpretation of the resulting mass spectrum difficult. Electrospray ionization has enabled mass spectrometry to analyze the molecules of extraordinary size and complexity. Entire industrial sectors are now capable of using this technique to great advantage. As one of the progenitors of this field of study, Dr. John Fenn showed the SVC audience how electrospray developed. The field sprang from a combination of molecular beam research and the behavior of liquids in strong fields. Dr. Fenn's sustained interest and efforts in these areas ultimately led to the award of the 2002 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.