Use of Liquid Chromatography and Mass Spectroscopy to Select an Oligomer Representative of Polyester Hydrolysis Pathways

An analytical method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of a series of low molecular weight biodegradable polyesters and its degradation products. The separation is accomplished using a strong anion exchange HPLC column. The polyester and its degradation products are identified by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry. This technique will enable one to establish the polyester hydrolysis pathways and determine accurate kinetic parameters.