Tris(2,6-dimethoxyphenyl)methyl carbenium ion as a charge derivatization agent for the analysis of primary amines by MALDI mass spectrometry

A novel derivatization method for the analysis of primary amines by MALDI mass spectrometry is proposed. Tris(2,6-dimethoxyphenyl) methyl carbenium cation reacts smoothly with primary amines, forming permanently charged adducts with the mass increment +359 Da and absorbance in the UV region. The approach was tested on a number of amines, including biologically active compounds and therapeutic agents. © 2016, Pleiades Publishing, Ltd.