Project Details
Projekt
High resolution mass spectrometer with ESI, APCI, APPI and LIFDI ion sources and HPLC coupling
Subject Area
Molecular Chemistry
Term
since 2026
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 577014773
The instrument to be procured is intended to replace a high-resolution sector field mass spectrometer. The new device should allow measuremnt of the chemically distinct samples that arise in the analytical service laboratory, mass spectrometry department of the Institute of Organic Chemistry. Therefore, a wide variety of ionization options is sought. The polarity and molecular mass of the analyte are the two main factors that determine the applicability of ion sources. To cover a broad range of samples effectively, we need an instrument that can be used with as many ion sources as possible. On the one hand, it should be equipped with electrospray ionization (ESI); on the other hand, through additional extensions, it should offer further analytical options for various research projects, a) an APCI ion source, b) an APPI ion source, c) an LIFDI ion source, and d) HPLC coupling. The APCI ion source serves as an alternative to ESI ionization for measurements of nonpolar molecules and, based on our experience, can often replace the classic EI ion source. The APPI ion source expands ionization possibilities and complements the aforementioned ESI and APCI sources. The highly specific LIFDI ion source allows for the analysis of hydrolysis- and air-sensitive substances via FD ionization, such as boron-containing compounds and metal complexes. This method is of great importance for research projects carried out by several research groups within Fachbereich Chemie. In many cases, it is the only way to ionize very sensitive analytes (e.g., inorganic or organometallic compounds) and determines whether the molecule can be characterized by mass spectrometry. High mass accuracy is a crucial criterion for the publication of scientific results today. To achieve this, the resolution of the mass spectrometer must be sufficiently high. Coupling a high-resolution mass spectrometer with HPLC allows for the direct determination of exact masses and, consequently, the determination of the molecular formulas of individual components in complex mixtures. The HPLC system is also usable as a direct, fully automatable sample delivery system when combined with an autosampler.
DFG Programme
Major Research Instrumentation
Major Instrumentation
Hochauflösenden Massenspektrometers mit ESI-, APCI-, APPI- und LIFDI-Ionenquelle und HPLC-Kopplung
Instrumentation Group
1700 Massenspektrometer
Applicant Institution
Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen
