Triple-stage pentaquadrupole (QqQqQ) mass spectrometry and ion/molecule reactions

Abstract

The general concepts, advantages, and applications of pentaquadrupole mass spectrometry and of a variety of pentaquadrupole multidimensional triple-stage (MS3) scans as applied to the study of gas-phase ion/molecule reactions are reviewed. An overview is presented of the development and the present stage of triple-stage pentaquadrupole mass spectrometry, and examples of successful applications of “QqQqQ-MS” in revealing, elucidating, and helping to consolidate new classes of gas-phase ion/molecule reactions are summarized. The variety of features and advantages that make pentaquadrupoles most suitable laboratories for studies of ion/molecule reactions, and the exceptional gains in chemical information and selectivity of QqQqQ-MS are also discussed. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Mass Spectrom Rev 16(3), 113–144, 1997