Identifying the D-Pentoses Using Water Adduction to Lithium Cationized Molecule

Abstract

A method has been developed that is capable of distinguishing an exhaustive list of underivatized D-pentoses with only a mass spectrometer. Electrospray ionization (ESI) of a solution containing a pentose and a lithium salt yields [Pentose + Li]⁺. These lithiated pentoses adduct water in a quadrupole ion trap. The reaction rate of water adduction is unique for several of the pentose isomers. Additionally, there are multiple potential gas-phase lithiation sites to form [Pentose + Li]⁺. A mixture of ions with at least one reactive (water adducting) and at least one unreactive (non-adducting) lithiation site is formed for each pentose. The water adduction reaction rate along with the unreactive fraction of lithiated pentose can be used to completely discriminate all D-pentoses.

Graphical Abstract

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