Characterization of methylenedianiline (MDA) 2-ring isomers (2,2′-, 2,4′- and 4,4′-MDA) is reported using matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS), a common technique used for characterizing synthetic polymers. MDA is a precursor to methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) a hard block component in polyurethane (PUR) synthesis. This manuscript focuses on comparing MALDI results to those of our previous electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) studies. In ESI, 2-ring MDA isomers formed single unique [M+H]+ (199 Da) parent ions, whereas in MALDI each isomer shows significant formation of three precursor ions: [M−H]+ = 197 Da, [M·]+ = 198 Da, and [M+H]+ = 199 Da. Structures and schemes are proposed for the MALDI fragment ions associated with each precursor ion. Ion mobility-mass spectrometry (IM-MS), tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), and computational methods were all critical in determining the structures for both precursor and fragment ions as well as the fragmentation mechanisms. The present study indicates that the [M−H]+ and [M·]+ ions are formed by the MALDI process, explaining why they were not observed with ESI.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.