Fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry for the determination of the molecular weight distribution of poly(ethylene glycols) and their derivatives

A fast atom bombardment mass spectrometric method for the characterization of poly(ethylene glycols) (PEGs) and monomethoxy(polyethylene glycols) (MMPEGs) and their derivatives is described. This method, in comparison with the classical rheological measurements, offers the advantage of giving the abundance of the single oligomers present in the mixture. In addition, the method allows the detection of even samll amounts of PEG in MMPEG mixtures in addition to unreacted oligomer in mixtures produced by reaction of PEG or MMPEG with reagents such as p-nitrophenyl chloroformate. © 1992.