Study of the Cyanoacrylate Fuming Mechanism by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry

In the negative mode mass spectrometry data, four compounds related to the polymerization of cyanoacrylate were identified, and their structures were determined from accurate mass and MS/MS. A mechanism is proposed for the formation of these compounds that are regarded as intermediates in the polymerization reaction. In addition, based on the fuming of standard endogenous compounds, this study suggests that fatty acids and amino acids are the major catalytic nucleophiles that initiate the polymerization reactions. (publisher abstract modified)