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Polymer oligomer distribution

End groups plus n repeat units · formula and m/z per n · match MALDI / ESI series

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Polymer oligomer distribution

End groups + Σ(repeat unit × count) + ionization: enumerate formula, monoisotopic/average mass and m/z for every n; the spacing between neighbouring n equals the repeat-unit mass.

End groups + Σ(repeat unit × count) + ionization: enumerate formula, monoisotopic/average mass and m/z for every n; the spacing between neighbouring n equals the repeat-unit mass.

Every calculation runs locally in your browser. Nothing you type is ever uploaded.

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Polymers usually appear in a mass spectrum as an evenly spaced series of peaks, where the spacing equals the mass of the repeat unit. Choose a preset (PEG / PEO, mPEG, PLA, polystyrene, PMMA, nylon 6, PDMS and more) or define your own end groups and repeat unit, and the section enumerates the formula, monoisotopic and average mass and adduct m/z for every degree of polymerisation n.

Line the computed series up against the peaks and you can infer the end groups, the oligomer distribution and the average molar mass; the whole table copies as a block, ready to use as a peak assignment reference for MALDI or ESI data.

How to use it

  1. Pick a polymer preset, or enter custom end groups and a repeat unit formula.
  2. Set the range of n, for example 1 to 8.
  3. Choose the ionisation (M+Na, M+K and so on) and read the formula and m/z for each n.
  4. Check that the spacing between adjacent n equals the repeat unit mass, then match the peaks.

Frequently asked questions

Why is a polymer spectrum a series of evenly spaced peaks?
Adjacent oligomers differ by exactly one repeat unit, so the spacing is constant and equal to its mass (44.0262 Da for PEG). If the spacing does not match, the repeat unit or the end groups are wrong.
How do I determine the end groups?
Subtract n repeat units from the measured mass of one peak; what remains is the sum of the two end groups. The common ones (H/OH, methoxy, butyl and others) are all available as presets, so you can try them until the mass matches.
Is anything I type uploaded?
No. There is no back end: the algorithms, the NIST isotope data and every dictionary ship with the page, and all calculations run in your browser.
How accurate is the data?
Isotope masses and abundances come from a NIST snapshot (94 elements, 298 isotopes). Isotope distributions are exact polynomial convolutions and agree with mainstream simulators to several decimal places.
Is it free? Do I need an account?
It is completely free, with no usage limit and no sign-up or login.
Can I send a calculation to someone else?
Yes. Click Copy link and the input state is encoded into the URL hash, so opening that link restores exactly what you had.

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