Use of m‐nitrobenzyl alcohol as a matrix in fast‐atom bombardment negative‐ion mass spectrometry of polar compounds

Fast‐atom bombardment negative‐ion mass spectra of various polar compounds (cyclopeptides, nucleosides, organometallic salts) with a m ‐nitrobenzyl alcohol (NBA) matrix exhibit identical characteristics. First, several ions at high masses allow characterization of the molecular weight. Second, at low masses, only ions characteristic of the NBA matrix are observed.