The Chemistry Department Mass Spectrometry service has 4 spectrometers in service, operating mainly for the research groups within the department.

Kratos Concept 1H

Ionisation techniques available are EI,CI,FAB with the option of Nominal Mass Spectra, High Resolution Spectra and Accurate Mass determinations by Peak Matching.

Some High Energy Collision MS/MS experiments can also be run by Linked-Scanning i.e. Precursor-Product ion, Product-Parent ion, Constant Mass Loss and Constant Mass Gain scans. There is also an Electrospray source which is limited to flow rates of approx. 10ul min-1 and is used very rarely.

Micromass Quattro

This spectrometer is generally used with set methods based on expected mass. The ionisation source used is Electrospray and spectra for both Positive ions and Negative ions are produced automatically. Unless specifically booked the instrument is available 24hours 7days a week. A simple demonstration of the logging on procedure is all that is required for users to submit their own samples.

The instrument is also capable of low energy collision MS/MS experiments which must be run by the operator [Mick] and need to be discussed and booked beforehand. Similarly LC/MS and LC/MS/MS work can be undertaken after suitable discussions. With single ion scanning and multiple reaction monitoring [mrm] also options.

Perkin-Elmer TurboMass GCMS

This spectrometer is generally used with set methods based on the type of sample and expected behaviour through a GC column.

Generally the ionisation is EI however CI both + and - may be possible for selected samples, prior booking and discussion is required for this as the instrument must be specifically set up for this work.

The chromatograms obtained may be Quantified and spectra submitted to library searching. No MS/MS is possible although single ion scanning may be utilised for greater selectivity. 

Applied Biosciences Voyager DE-STR

This spectrometer is generally used by The Centre for Chemical Biology. Ionisation is by Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption, and can be used in Linear or Reflectron mode. There is the facility to do Post Source Decay [psd] experiments. The instrument can be used manually or set to automatically scan any or all the spots on the sample plate.

Waters Acquity XEVO Q ToF

This is an UPLC-MS system using an Electrospray ionisation Time of flight Mass Spectrometer to determine exact masses within 3ppm or better. UPLC allows HPLC separations to be conducted in much shorter time spans and usually with smaller sample volumes.
Simple single compound determinations or more complex mixtures can be handled giving Exact mass, MSMS and Formula prediction, the only requirement being that the species is ionisable by Electrospray.