University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Mass Spectrometry Laboratory


Mass Spec Lab Sample Submission Guidelines

  1. Routine accurate mass measurements can be done by EI, CI, ESI, and FAB
    • The upper mass range for HR ESI is ~ 2000 Da
    • The upper mass range for HR FAB is ~ 2200 Da
    • The upper mass range for HR EI/CI is ~ 800 Da
  2. The upper mass range for LR FD/FAB is ~ 5000 Da
  3. No outside samples will be run by negative ion HR ESI
  4. Organometallic samples cause high and persistent background on the QToF and LCQ, and will normally not be run on these two instruments. Organometallic samples with MW < 2000 Da can be run by ESI on the Quattro (or by FAB if ESI doesn't work). Those with MW > 2000 Da should be run by FAB.
  5. Air sensitive samples can be run by EI, CI, FI, ESI, and FD with advanced notice. The user will have to provide dry solvent(s) for ESI and FD.
  6. On the chart, there are points where a decision leads to a split recommendation, which indicates that the sample should generally work in both techniques. Guidelines for these samples are:
    • ESI/FAB samples should be run in ESI, unless they are known or expected to work better in FAB. Organometallic samples cause high and persistent background on the QToF and LCQ, and will normally not be run on these two instruments. Organometallic samples with MW < 2000 Da can be run by ESI on the Quattro (or by FAB if ESI doesn't work). Those with MW> 2000 Da should be run by FAB.
    • CI/FI samples should be run in CI if HR is needed
May 24, 2006