New applications of multiply charged ionic probes as cleavable cross-linker and polymerization reagent

We have designed new cleavable cross-linkers for biomolecules containing the 2,6-bis(oxazolinyl)pyridine (pybox) lanthanum complex. These species can effectively donate multiple charges to afford cross-linker ions for target biomolecules. The cross-linkers are cleaved easily by adding water. Moreover, we were able to detect chain structures of target molecules, including biomolecules and carbon clusters, such as fullerene C60, by the addition of some MS ionic probes. Cold-spray ionization mass spectrometry demonstrated the applications of multiply charged ionic probes as cleavable cross-linkers and polymerization reagents.