Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis for characterization of lignin oligomers using cationization techniques and 2,5-dihydroxyacetophenone (DHAP) matrix.

The DHAP/Li+ method presented in this work shows promise to be an effective analytical tool for lignin analysis by MALDI and may provide a tool to assess lignin break-down efforts facilitating renewable products from lignin.