Carbohydrates form one of the major classes of biological macromolecules in living organisms. To investigate their properties and function, an in-depth knowledge of their underlying structure is essential. However, the inherent structural complexity of glycans represents a major challenge. Carbohydrates are often branched and exhibit diverse regio- and stereochemistry. This in turn leads to a vast number of possible isomers, which are difficult to distinguish using established analytical tools. In the last decade, ion mobility-mass spectrometry, a technique that separates ions based on their mass, charge, size and shape, emerged as a powerful alternative for isomer distinction. This review highlights recent advances in ion mobility-mass spectrometry of complex carbohydrates and discusses its role in future analysis workflows.
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