Iodo-functionalized polymers as mass spectrometry calibrants with a mass-defect offset

Abstract

The present invention discloses novel calibrants containing between 1 and 5 iodine atoms and methods of making them using linear polymers, hyperbranched polymers, and biological polymers (including but not limited to proteins and peptides.) Methods of using the calibrants are also disclosed, such as mass spectrometry. The novel calibrants disclosed herein have a more cost- and time-efficient synthesis than other calibrants.

Claims

1. A composition comprising: a polymer, wherein said polymer is poly(bis-MBA) or poly(dimethoxystyrene); and between one and five iodo functional groups are attached to the polymer.

2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises three iodo functional groups.

3. A composition comprising between one and five iodo functional groups attached to a polymer.

4. The composition of claim 3, wherein the three iodo functional groups are attached to the polymer.

5. The composition of claim 1, wherein said polymer is a hyperbranched polymer.

6. The composition of claim 1, wherein said polymer is a linear polymer.

7. The composition of claim 1, wherein said composition is formed by modifying an iodo-functionalized compound with the polymer.

8. The composition of claim 7, wherein the polymer is a preformed polymer.

9. The composition of claim 1, wherein said composition is formed by grafting a polymer from an iodo-functionalized compound.

10. The composition of claim 9, wherein the iodo-functionalized compound is alcohol, amine or carboxylic acid.

11. A method of determining physical properties of a sample, the method comprising: providing the composition of claim 1; ionizing at least a portion of said composition; providing an analyte sample, wherein said analyte sample has physical properties; ionizing at least a portion of said analyte; collecting data from said ionized portion of said composition and said ionized portion of said analyte sample; and relating said data to said physical properties of said portion of said composition, thereby determining said physical properties of said analyte sample.

12. A method of calibrating a mass spectrometer, the method comprising: providing the composition of claim 1; ionizing at least a portion of said composition; collecting data from said ionized portion of said composition; and relating said data to physical properties of said composition.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein said physical properties comprise mass/charge ratio.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The following drawings form part of the present specification and are included to further demonstrate certain aspects of the present invention. The invention may be better understood by reference to one or more of these drawings in combination with the description of specific embodiments presented herein.

(2) FIG. 1 shows mass distribution features of common calibrants. The ideal calibrant should provide numerous appropriately spaced signals over a wide mass range.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a comparison of dendrimer mixtures as calibrants.

(4) FIG. 3 shows one advantage of dendritic calibrants: the improved resolution results from stable structure and consistent mode of ionization.

(5) FIG. 4 shows another advantage of dendritic calibrants: extended shelf-life due to stability to degradation (oxidation, hydrolysis, etc.). The calibrant was stored at ambient conditions: room temperature, and exposed to oxygen and light.

(6) FIG. 5 shows the population maps of peptides: mass defect v. nominal mass. “Averagine Ridge” is the most populated mass-defect trend. “Scarcine Valley” is the least populated mass-defect trend. To minimize overlap with unknown analytes, an internal calibrant should fall in the “scarcine valley”.

(7) FIG. 6 shows an alternative view of the population maps of peptides: mass defect v. nominal mass. “Averagine Ridge” is the most populated mass-defect trend. “Scarcine Valley” is the least populated mass-defect trend. To minimize overlap with unknown analytes, an internal calibrant should fall in the “scarcine valley”.

(8) FIG. 7 shows the mass-defects of common non-metal elements. Elements with a negative mass defect can be used to mass-label a calibrant such that it can be easily distinguished from common biological analytes. The ideal properties for a mass-defect tuning element are 1) ease of incorporation into stable organic compounds; 2) narrow isotopic distribution (ideally monoisotopic); and 3) substantial negative mass defect. Although there are many elements that can be employed to tune mass defect, iodine is particularly attractive if the magnitude of defect is important.

(9) FIG. 8 shows a number of candidate negative mass-defect cores and highlights why triiodo compounds are most appealing. While fluorine exhibits a negative mass defect, the mass-defect offset is small. Iodine has a substantial mass-defect offset, such that the incorporation of just three iodine atoms provides the ideal mass-defect offset (0.5 u). In FIG. 8, F3 represents trifluoroethanol, F7 represents heptafluorobutanol, and F15 represents pentadecafluorooctanol. In FIG. 8, I1 represents 4-iodophenol, 12 represents 2,4-diiodophenol, and 13 represents 2,4,6-triiodophenol.

(10) FIG. 9 shows examples of synthetic preparations of dendrimer-based mass-defect calibrants. The mass-defect (MD) calibrants are depicted as overlaid onto a peptide population.

(11) FIG. 10 shows the results of an internal calibration test using a representative peptide, Endomorphin I, (H-Tyr-Pro-Trp-Phe-NH.sub.2), C.sub.34H.sub.38N.sub.6O.sub.5. The test shows that dendritic calibrants can be easily tuned to incorporate a tailored mass defect (from triiodophenol) to yield an ideal internal mass-defect calibrant for peptides and protein characterization.

(12) FIG. 11 shows the results of using linear polymers—e.g., PEG—as mass-defect calibrants. Linear polymers are relatively inexpensive and provide numerous calibration points in a specific range. End groups can be modified by active ester coupling. Although the triiodobenzamide end group provides the near ideal mass defect, PEG does not exhibit the same mass defect per repeat unit as averagine, causing the mass defect to deviate from the “scarcine valley” with increasing nominal mass.

(13) FIG. 12 shows the results of using hyperbranched polymers—e.g., poly(bis-MBA) or poly(bis-(hydroxymethyl)butanoic acid)—as mass-defect calibrants. Hyperbranched polymers can be prepared in one step, though with larger dispersities in their mass distributions. Initiation from a tri-iodo-core can provide the desired mass-defect offset. The mass defect per repeat unit for bis-MBA more closely matches that of averagine, providing a nearly optimal mass-defect offset over a larger mass range.

(14) FIG. 13 shows general amidation reaction of mono-amino functionalized polymers with triiodobenzoic acid.

(15) FIG. 14 shows MALDI-TOF MS data for the amidation of amino-functionalized PEG (M.sub.n=2000) with triiodobenzoic acid: starting material (above) and amidation product (below).

(16) FIG. 15 shows MALDI-TOF MS data for the amidation of amino-functionalized PEG (M.sub.n=5000) with triiodobenzoic acid: starting material (above) and amidation product (below).

(17) FIG. 16 shows general scheme of hyperbranched polymerization of bis-MBA from a triiodo core.

(18) FIG. 17 shows MALDI-TOF MS data for the hyperbranched polymer grafted off of a triiodo core.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(19) Detailed descriptions of one or more preferred embodiments are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in any appropriate manner.

(20) Wherever any of the phrases “for example,” “such as,” “including” and the like are used herein, the phrase “and without limitation” is understood to follow unless explicitly stated otherwise. Similarly “an example,” “exemplary” and the like are understood to be non-limiting.

(21) The term “substantially” allows for deviations from the descriptor that do not negatively impact the intended purpose. Descriptive terms are understood to be modified by the term “substantially” even if the word “substantially” is not explicitly recited. Therefore, for example, the phrase “wherein the lever extends vertically” means “wherein the lever extends Iodo-functionalized polymers as mass spectrometry calibrants with a mass defect offset substantially vertically” so long as a precise vertical arrangement is not necessary for the lever to perform its function.

(22) The terms “comprising” and “including” and “having” and “involving” (and similarly “comprises”, “includes,” “has,” and “involves”) and the like are used interchangeably and have the same meaning. Specifically, each of the terms is defined consistent with the common United States patent law definition of “comprising” and is therefore interpreted to be an open term meaning “at least the following,” and is also interpreted not to exclude additional features, limitations, aspects, etc. Thus, for example, “a process involving steps a, b, and c” means that the process includes at least steps a, b and c. Wherever the terms “a” or “an” are used, “one or more” is understood, unless such interpretation is nonsensical in context.

(23) Table 1 shows the nominal mass and mass defect for a series of polymer repeating units. For mass defect calibration, it is useful to use a tris-iodo end group to maximize the mass defect offset relative to naturally occurring peptides, while selecting a polymer that has a mass defect per nominal mass slope that is as close to averagine as possible. A number of common polymers are listed along with their “slope shift” relative to averagine (a slope shift of 0 being ideal).

(24) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Slope shift Mass defect/ relative to Formula per Nominal Mass nominal averagine repeating unit mass defect mass (×10.sup.5) POLYMERS averagine 110.9981 0.05621 0.000506365 POLYLACTONES polycaprolactone C.sub.6H.sub.10O.sub.2 114 0.06808 0.000597193 0.90828 polyvalerolactone C.sub.5H.sub.8O.sub.2 100 0.05243 0.0005243 0.17935 polybutyrolactone C.sub.4H.sub.6O.sub.2 86 0.03678 0.000427674 −0.78691 polylactide C.sub.6H.sub.8O.sub.4 144 0.04226 0.000293472 −2.12893 polyglycolide C.sub.4H.sub.4O.sub.4 116 0.01096 9.44828E−05 −4.11882 POLYETHERS poly(acetal) CH.sub.2O 30 0.01056 0.000352 −1.54365 poly(ethylene glycol) C.sub.2H.sub.4O 88 0.05243 0.000595795 0.894305 poly(propylene glycol) C.sub.3H.sub.6O 116 0.08373 0.00072181 2.154453 POLYACRYLATES/ METHACRYLATES/ METHACRYLAMIDES poly(methyl acrylate) C.sub.4H.sub.6O.sub.2 86 0.03678 0.000427674 −0.78691 poly(ethyl acrylate) C.sub.5H.sub.8O.sub.2 100 0.05243 0.0005243 0.17935 poly(methyl methacrylate) C.sub.5H.sub.8O.sub.2 100 0.05243 0.0005243 0.17935 poly(methoxyethyl acrylate) C.sub.6H.sub.10O.sub.3 130 0.06299 0.000484538 −0.21827 poly(methoxyethyl methacrylate) C.sub.7H.sub.12O.sub.3 144 0.07864 0.000546111 0.397461 poly(tetrahydropyranyl acrylate) C.sub.8H.sub.12O.sub.3 156 0.07864 0.000504103 −0.02262 polyacrylamide C.sub.3H.sub.5NO 71 0.03711 0.000522676 0.163111 polymethacrylamide C.sub.4H.sub.7NO 85 0.05276 0.000620706 1.143409 poly(N-methyl acrylamide) C.sub.4H.sub.7NO 85 0.05276 0.000620706 1.143409 poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) C.sub.6H.sub.11NO 113 0.08406 0.000743894 2.375288 POLYESTER DENDRIMERS poly(bis-MPA) dendrimers C.sub.5H.sub.8O.sub.3 116 0.04734 0.000408103 −0.98262 poly(bis-MBA) dendrimers C.sub.6H.sub.10O.sub.3 130 0.06299 0.000484538 −0.21827 POLYSTYRENICS Polystyrene C.sub.8H.sub.8 104 0.0626 0.000601923 0.955581 poly(methoxystyrene) C.sub.9H.sub.10O 134 0.07316 0.00054597 0.396051 poly(dimethoxystyrene) C.sub.10H.sub.12O.sub.2 164 0.08373 0.000510549 0.041838 POLY(AMINO ACIDS) polyalanine C.sub.3H.sub.5NO 71 0.03711 0.000522676 0.163111 polyproline C.sub.6H.sub.9NO 111 0.06841 0.000616306 1.099413 polyphenylalanine C.sub.9H.sub.9NO.sub.2 147 0.06841 0.000465374 −0.40991 polytyrosine C.sub.9H.sub.9NO.sub.2 163 0.06333 0.000388528 −1.17837 polyglycine C.sub.2H.sub.3NO 57 0.02146 0.000376491 −1.29874 polyaspargine C.sub.4H.sub.6N.sub.2O.sub.2 114 0.04293 0.000376579 −1.29786 polythreonine C.sub.4H.sub.7NO.sub.2 101 0.04768 0.000472079 −0.34286 polytryptophan C.sub.11H.sub.10N.sub.2O 186 0.07931 0.000426398 −0.79967 polymethionine C.sub.5H.sub.11NO.sub.2S 149 0.05105 0.000342617 −1.63748 polyglutamine C.sub.5H.sub.8N.sub.2O.sub.2 128 0.05858 0.000457656 −0.48709

Examples

(25) Addition of Triiodophenyl Group Via Activated Ester Coupling

(26) The following protocol, though demonstrated for PEG, can be applied to a wide range of polymers that contain a single amino functionality or hydroxyl functionality. Such polymers include: poly(ethylene glycol)s, poly(propylene glycol)s, polyesters (polycaprolactones, polyvalerolactones, polybutyrolactone, polylactide, etc.), polyamides (including synthetic polyamides, such as nylons, polypropiolactam, polybutyrolactam, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) polyphthalamids, and polyaramids, as well as biologically relevant polyamides such as peptides and proteins), polyacrylates (such as poly(methylacrylate), poly(ethylacrylate), etc.) polymethacrylates (such as poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(ethyl methacrylate), etc.) polystyrenics (including polystyrene, poly(methoxystyrene) and poly(dimethoxystyrene)), etc. See FIG. 13.

(27) Triiodobenzamide Modification of Amino Functional Poly(Ethylene Glycol) M.sub.n 2000

(28) To a 100 mL round-bottomed flask, 10 equivalents of 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid (100 mg) (Aldrich) and 15 equivalents of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (30 mg) (Aldrich) were added to 10 mL of THF and stirred for 30 minutes. 1 equivalent (20 mg) of α-methyoxy, ω-amino poly(ethylene glycol) M.sub.n˜2000 was added and the reaction was allowed to stir for 12 h. MALDI-TOF MS confirmed that the reaction was complete, demonstrating the expected mass shift in the polymer distribution. The sample was worked up by allowing the DCU byproduct to settle, decanting off the solvent, and extracting twice with 1M aq. NaHCO.sub.3, and then removing solvent, in vacuo. See FIG. 14.

(29) Triiodobenzamide Modification of Amino Functional Poly(Ethylene Glycol) M.sub.n 5000

(30) The M.sub.n˜5000 product was prepared following an identical procedure as above, but substituting 20 mg of α-methyoxy, ω-amino poly(ethylene glycol) M.sub.n˜2000 with 50 mg of α-methyoxy, ω-amino poly(ethylene glycol) M.sub.n˜5000. See FIG. 15.

(31) Triiodobenzamide Modification of Amino Functional Polystyrene or Modified Polystyrene of M.sub.n 2000

(32) Amino terminated poly(3,4-dimethoxystyrene) could be prepared via the protocol of Matyjaszewski et al. The attachment of a triiodobenzamide group could be carried out following an identical procedure as above, but substituting 20 mg of α-methyoxy, ω-amino poly(ethylene glycol) M.sub.n˜2000 with 20 mg of ω-amino poly(3,4-dimethoxystyrene) M.sub.n˜2000.

(33) ##STR00001##

(34) Triiodobenzamide Modification of Amino Functional Polyacrylate or Poly Methacrylate of M.sub.n 2000

(35) Amino terminated poly(ethyl acrylate) could be prepared via the polymerization by Datta et al. and end group modification. The attachment of a triiodobenzamide group could be carried out following an identical procedure as the PEG protocol above, but substituting 20 mg of α-methyoxy, ω-amino poly(ethylene glycol) M.sub.n˜2000 with 20 mg of ω-amino poly(ethyl acrylate) M.sub.n˜2000.

(36) ##STR00002##

(37) Triiodobenzamide Modification of Amino Functional Poly(Amino Acid) of M.sub.n 2000

(38) Amino terminated polyalanine could be modified to include a triiodo group via coupling of triiodobenzoic acid following an identical procedure as the PEG protocol above, but substituting 20 mg of α-methyoxy, ω-amino poly(ethylene glycol) M.sub.n˜2000 with 20 mg of ω-amino poly(alanine) M.sub.n˜2000.

(39) ##STR00003##

(40) Addition of Triiodoaniline Group Via Grafting to a Carboxylic Acid Terminated Polymer

(41) The following protocol, though demonstrated for poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), is equally applicable to a wide range of mono-carboxylic acid terminated polymers or peptides with a single unprotected carboxylic acid group.

(42) Triiodophenylacetamide Functionalization of Poly(N-Isopropylacrylamide) Bearing a Terminal Carboxylic Acid.

(43) To a 100 mL round-bottomed flask, 10 equivalents of 3,4,5-triiodoaniline (100 mg) (Aldrich) and 15 equivalents of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (30 mg) (Aldrich) were added to 10 mL of chloroform and stirred for 30 minutes. 1 equivalent (20 mg) of ω-carboxylic acid poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) M.sub.n˜2000 was added and the reaction was allowed to stir for 12 h. MALDI-TOF MS confirmed that the reaction was complete, demonstrating the expected mass shift in the polymer distribution. The sample was worked up by allowing the DCU byproduct to settle, decanting off the solvent, and extracting twice with 1M aq. NaHCO.sub.3, and removing the solvent in vacuo.

(44) ##STR00004##

(45) Addition of Triiodophenyl Group Via Grafting from Triodoinitiator

(46) The following protocol, though demonstrated for bis-MBA, is equally applicable to a wide range of polymers polymerize off of a single alcohol or amino functionality.

(47) Hyperbranched Polymerization of Bis-Hydroxymethyl Butanoic Acid (Bis-MBA) from Triodinated Core: Histodenz™

(48) Heat a bath of Lab Armor™ beads to 120° C. Set up and equip a 3-neck round bottom flask with a magnetic stir bar, flowing inert gas, solid addition funnel, and a CaCl.sub.2) drying tube. Add 1 equivalent (1 g, 1.2 mmol) of HistoDenz™ and 0.5% wt. of core (0.01 g) of para-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (p-TsOH) to the 3-neck flask. Add 17 equivalents of 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)butanoic acid (bis-MBA) to the solid addition funnel and slowly add to the flask at a rate of approximately 3 turns per 5 minutes. Once all of the bis-MBA has been added to the flask allow to stir at high heat over night. Cool the reaction and immediately dissolve in THF. See FIG. 16.

(49) Hyperbranched Polymerization of Bis-Hydroxymethyl Butanoic Acid (Bis-MBA) from Triodinated Core: 2,4,6-Triodophenol

(50) Using the same procedure as above, but substituting 1.2 mol of 2,4,6-triodophenol for 1.2 mol of Histodenz™.

(51) In one embodiment, the present invention provides a composition comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of 1-5 iodo functional groups attached to a polymer. As is understood in the art, an iodo functional group is a functional group that is iodine. In an embodiment, the present invention provides a composition comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of 1-5 iodo functional groups attached to a polymer selected from the group consisting of a linear polymer, a hyperbranched polymer, and a biological polymer. In an embodiment, the present invention provides methods for making said compositions.

(52) Monoiodo compounds include: 2-iodophenol, 3-iodophenol, 4-iodophenol, 2-iodobezoic acid, 3-iodobezoic acid, 4-iodobezoic acid, 2-iodoaniline, 3-iodoaniline, and 4-iodoaniline,

(53) Diiodo compounds include: 2,3-diiodophenol, 2,4-diiodophenol, 2,5-diiodophenol, 2,6-diiodophenol, 3.4-diiodophenol, 3,5-diiodophenol, 2,3-diiodobenzoic acid, 2,4-diiodobenzoic acid, 2,5-diiodobenzoic acid, 2,6-diiodobenzoic acid, 3.4-diiodobenzoic acid, 3,5-diiodobenzoic acid, 2,3-diiodoaniline, 2,4-diiodoaniline, 2,5-diiodoaniline, 2,6-diiodoaniline, 3.4-diiodoaniline, 3,5-diiodoaniline.

(54) Triiodo compounds include: 2,3,4-triiodophenol, 2,3,5-triiodophenol, 2,3,6-triiodophenol, 2,4,6-triiodophenol, 3,4,5-triiodophenol, 2,3,4-triiodo benzoic acid, 2,3,5-triiodo benzoic acid, 2,3,6-triiodo benzoic acid, 2,4,6-triiodo benzoic acid, 3,4,5-triiodo benzoic acid, 2,3,4-triiodoaniline, 2,3,5-triiodoaniline, 2,3,6-triiodoaniline, 2,4,6-triiodoaniline, 3,4,5-triiodoaniline, iotalamic acid, iopentol, ioversol, ioxilan, diatrizoic acid, thyroxine, iopanic acid, iopromide, and iopamidol.

(55) Tetraiodo compounds include: 2,3,4,5-tetraiodophenol, 2,3,4,6-tetraiodophenol, 2,3,5,6-tetraiodophenol, 2,3,4,5-tetraiodobenzoic acid, 2,3,4,6-tetraiodobenzoic acid, 2,3,5,6-tetraiodobenzoic acid, 2,3,4,5-tetraiodoaniline, 2,3,4,6-tetraiodoaniline, 2,3,5,6-tetraiodoaniline

(56) Pentaiodo compounds include: 2,3,4,5,6-pentaiodophenol, 2,3,4,5,6-pentaiodobezoic acid, and 2,3,4,5,6-pentaiodoaniline,

(57) In some embodiments, the composition is used as a mass spectrometry calibrant.

(58) In an embodiment, the present invention provides a composition comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of 1 iodo functional group attached to a polymer. In an embodiment, the present invention provides a composition comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of 2 iodo functional groups attached to a polymer. In an embodiment, the present invention provides a composition comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of 3 iodo functional groups attached to a polymer. In an embodiment, the present invention provides a composition comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of 4 iodo functional groups attached to a polymer. In an embodiment, the present invention provides a composition comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of 5 iodo functional groups attached to a polymer.

(59) In an embodiment, a composition of the present invention is formed by modifying an iodo-functionalized compound with a preformed polymer. In an embodiment, the iodo-functionalized compound contains 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 iodo functional groups. In an embodiment, the preformed polymer contains a single amino functionality, hydroxyl functionality, or carboxylic acid functionality.

(60) In another embodiment, a composition of the present invention is formed by grafting a polymer from an iodo-functionalized compound. In an embodiment, the iodo-functionalized compound contains 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 iodo functional groups. In an embodiment, the iodo-functionalized compound is alcohol or amine.

(61) In an embodiment, the present invention provides a composition comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of 1 iodo functional group attached to a polymer selected from the group consisting of a linear polymer, a hyperbranched polymer, and a biological polymer. In an embodiment, the present invention provides a composition comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of 2 iodo functional groups attached to a polymer selected from the group consisting of a linear polymer, a hyperbranched polymer, and a biological polymer. In an embodiment, the present invention provides a composition comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of 3 iodo functional groups attached to a polymer selected from the group consisting of a linear polymer, a hyperbranched polymer, and a biological polymer. In an embodiment, the present invention provides a composition comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of 4 iodo functional groups attached to a polymer selected from the group consisting of a linear polymer, a hyperbranched polymer, and a biological polymer. In an embodiment, the present invention provides a composition comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of 5 iodo functional groups attached to a polymer selected from the group consisting of a linear polymer, a hyperbranched polymer, and a biological polymer. In another embodiment, the present invention provides methods of making said compositions.

(62) In an embodiment, the polymer is PEG. In another embodiment, the polymer is poly(bis-MBA).

(63) In an embodiment, the invention provides a method of determining physical properties of a sample, the method comprising:

(64) providing a composition as previously described;

(65) ionizing at least a portion of said composition;

(66) providing an analyte sample wherein said analyte sample has physical properties;

(67) ionizing at least a portion of said analyte;

(68) collecting data from said ionized portion of said composition and said ionized portion of said analyte sample; and

(69) relating said data to said physical properties of said portion of said composition, thereby determining said physical properties of said analyte sample.

(70) Non-limiting examples of “physical properties,” as described herein, may include mass/charge ratio, molecular mass, collisional cross section, hydrodynamic radius, and radius of gyration.

(71) In an embodiment, the invention provides a method of determining molecular mass of a sample, the method comprising:

(72) providing a composition as previously described;

(73) ionizing at least a portion of said composition;

(74) providing an analyte sample wherein said analyte sample has molecular mass;

(75) ionizing at least a portion of said analyte;

(76) collecting data from said ionized portion of said composition and said ionized portion of said analyte sample; and

(77) relating said data to said molecular mass of said portion of said composition, thereby determining said molecular mass of said analyte sample.

(78) In an embodiment, the invention provides a method of calibrating a mass spectrometer, the method comprising:

(79) providing a composition as previously described;

(80) ionizing at least a portion of said composition;

(81) collecting data from said ionized portion of said composition; and

(82) relating said data to said physical properties. Relating said data to said properties enables calibration of the mass scale of said mass spectrometer.

REFERENCES

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