The characterization of polystyrene oligomers by field‐desorption mass spectrometry

Field‐desorption mass spectrometry has been used to characterize polystyrene oligomers of molecular weight up to 15 000 Da. The technique shows good agreement with molecular weight data calculated using vapour‐phase osmometry and gel‐permeation chromatography but in addition provides much more detailed information in terms of oligomer distribution and the nature of end groups present in the oligomers.