Marek M. Kowalczuk
University of Wolverhampton, UK
Title: Mass Spectrometry aimed at sequence analysis of natural and synthetic biodegradable macromolecules
Biography
Biography: Marek M. Kowalczuk
Abstract
Mass spectrometry becomes nowadays a comprehensive analytical technique for copolymer characterization. Copolymers can exist in variety of co-monomer arrangements along the macromolecular chain such as block, gradient, random or alternating copolymers. Moreover, in addition to molecular mass distribution (MMD) the copolymers exhibit co-monomer composition distribution (CCD) and both these factors influence their physical properties for a given copolymer chemical composition. The aims of this study were focused on ESI tandem mass spectrometry of natural aliphatic copolyesters (PHA) and novel sequence-controlled copolymers obtained by anionic ring opening copolymerization of β-substituted β-lactones. Detailed analysis of these copolymers, including molecular chain architecture as well as chemical structure of the end groups, were established based on the ESI-MS/MS collision induced dissociation spectra. The arrangement of co-monomer structural units along the copolyester chains was demonstrated by comparison of the ESI-MS/MS fragmentation spectra and the respective fragmentation pathways. Moreover, the sequence distribution analysis of co-monomeric units confirmed the desired structure of novel sequence-controlled macromolecules. Understanding of the formation mechanisms of sequence-controlled copolymers and a detailed description of the individual reactions taking place at the initiation, propagation and termination of the copolymer chain growth are essential from standpoint of the relations between copolymer structure, properties and function. Thus, the ESI-MS/MS proved to be a favorable technique for structural analysis of the natural and synthetic biodegradable macromolecules.