Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to introduce the simplified linkage position determination method using tandem mass spectrometry combined with molecular modeling study. Using low energy tandem mass spectrometric experiments and molecular modeling, it has been suggested that significant differences in glycosidic bond cleavage may occur due not only to ionic considerations but also may have contributions from steric hindrance of the absorbance of collision energy, leading to a statistically higher bond cleavage for sterically crowded linkages. Permethylated derivatives of the linkage-isomeric trisaccharides give useful fragmentation ratios and productions, including a 3-linkage specific ion. The ratios of fragment ions are related to the ability of each linkage position in the oligosaccharide to absorb collisional energy.