Abstract: | Multiply charged anions of some 30 species containing multiple carboxylic, sulphonic and/or phosphoric groups generated by ionspray were studied by using tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Two trends emerged: (1) lower-charged ions are preferentially evaporated, and (2) for more highly charged ions, evaporability is a function of ion size. Triply and quadruply charged ions were observed for azo dyes with molecular masses in the 700-900 Dalton range. Daughter-ion mass spectra of selected multiply charged ions are presented. |