Self-chemical ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry: identification and characterization of modified and unmodified bases and nucleosides.

Self-chemical ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectra are reported for bases, nucleosides, and alkylated and exocyclic adducts of bases and nucleosides. The technique always produces a protonated molecular ion and in the majority of cases this is a single, intense peak. Analysis of a base mixture and a nucleoside mixture demonstrates the technique as an excellent method to identify the constituent compounds qualitatively. The high resolution capabilities and tandem mass spectrometric techniques (msn) in FT-ICR are discussed with respect to developing the technique as a future method to identify and characterize nucleic acid constituents, specifically adducts.