First application of thermal vapor deposition method to matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry: determination of molecular mass ofbis(p-methyl benzylidene) sorbitol

A thermal vapor deposition method for crystallization of insoluble analytes with matrix is established as a new sample preparation method for Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS). A mixture of mono, bis and tris(p-methyl benzylidene) sorbitols was incorporated into microcrystals of ferulic acid, which was confirmed by confocal micrographs. Molecular masses of sorbitol derivatives were determined in this way by MALDI-MS without thermal decomposition.