Characterization of Hydrogen-Bonded Supramolecular Assemblies by MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry after Ag+ Labeling

The high affinity of Ag ⁺ ions for aromatic π donors and cyano groups is exploited in a novel MALDI-TOF mass spectrometric method for the identification of hydrogen-bonded assemblies. The interaction with the Ag⁺ ions—which, for example, can be complexed by two phenyl groups in a sandwich-type manner (see drawing on the right)—provides positively charged assemblies in a nondestructive way.     

Determination of relative binding affinities of labeling molecules with amino acids by using scanning tunneling microscopy

The binding behaviour of labeling molecule copper phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate sodium (PcCu(SO(3)Na)(4)) on the assemblies of representative polyamino acids has been studied by using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). By directly visualizing the adsorption and distribution of the labeling species on the peptide assemblies in STM images, one could obtain relative binding affinities of the labeling molecule with different amino acid residues.     

基质辅助激光解吸电离飞行时间质谱表征双二氮杂萘酮化合物

采用基质辅助激光解吸电离飞行时间质谱(MAIDI-TOF MS)，以2，5-二羟基苯甲酸(DHB)为基体对10种合成的新型双二氮杂萘酮化合物进行了质谱分析，得到了较强的样品准分子离子信号；对校正标样进行了筛选并讨论了标样对测定准确度的影响；研究了样品与金属离子形成加成物的性质。     

Self-assembly of supramolecular platinum complexes with bis-4-pyridyl cavitands

The design and self-assembly of six new supramolecular complexes (four triangles and two 2+2 assemblies) are described. These assemblies incorporate two new bispyridyl cavitand building blocks and were prepared in excellent yields (85-95%). The assemblies and building blocks were characterized with multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. Isotopically resolved mass spectrometry along with NMR data confirms the existence of the six assemblies.     

Analysis of diacyl peroxides by Ag+ coordination ionspray tandem mass spectrometry: Free radical pathways of complex decomposition

Organic peroxides have significance in organic synthesis and biological processes. Characterization of these compounds with weak O-O bonds is sometimes difficult due to their thermal instability and sensitivity to acid or base. Coordination of diacyl peroxides with AgBF4 provides a means for analysis of these compounds by coordination ionspray tandem mass spectrometry (CIS-MS/MS). Precursor ion (Q1) scans of acetyl benzoyl peroxide give two Ag+ adducts, [M + Ag + solvent]+ and [M + Ag + M]+. These silver ion adducts can be selectively dissociated (CID) to give unique structural information about the analyte. Decomposition of the [M + Ag + solvent]+ adduct generates fragmentation products due to apparent homolytic cleavage of the O-O bond followed by decarboxylation of the resultant radicals. The bis-diacylperoxide complex, [M + Ag + M]+ gives CID pathways that involve homolysis of the (O-O bond and free radical cross-coupling of the two diacyl peroxides coordinated to the silver ion, i.e. formation of dibenzoyl peroxide, phenyl benzoate, and biphenyl from acetyl benzoyl peroxide. The observation of free radical CID modes is uncommon in mass spectrometry but these pathways are consistent with well-known solution and gas phase processes for peroxide compounds. The proposed fragmentation pathways have been supported by experiments with (18)O and deuterated substrates. This technique can be applied to analyze diacyl peroxides with different substituents as well.     

Scanning electrochemical microscopy as a probe of Ag+ binding kinetics at Langmuir phospholipid monolayers

A new method has been developed for measuring local adsorption rates of metal ions at interfaces based on scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM). The technique is illustrated with the example of Ag+ binding at Langmuir phospholipid monolayers formed at the water/air interface. Specifically, an inverted 25 microm diameter silver disc ultramicroelectrode (UME) was positioned in the subphase of a Langmuir trough, close to a dipalmitoyl phosphatidic acid (DPPA) monolayer, and used to generate Ag+ via Ag electro-oxidation. The method involved measuring the transient current-time response at the UME when the electrode was switched to a potential to electrogenerate Ag+. Since the Ag+/Ag couple is reversible, the response is highly sensitive to local mass transfer of Ag+ away from the electrode, which, in turn, is governed by the interaction of Ag+ with the monolayer. The methodology has been used to determine the influence of surface pressure on the adsorption of Ag+ ions at a phospholipid (dipalmitoyl phosphatidic acid) Langmuir monolayer. It is shown that the capacity for metal ion adsorption at the monolayer increased as the density of surface adsorption sites increased (by increasing the surface pressure). A model for mass transport and adsorption in this geometry has been developed to explain and characterise the adsorption process.     

Feasibility of static secondary ion mass spectrometry to study physicochemical interactions between organic components and silver in thermographic systems

Chemical engineering of high-technology products requires elucidation of intermolecular interactions in complex materials. As part of an extensive study on thermographic systems, static secondary ion mass spectrometry (S-SIMS) was used to probe the physicochemical behaviour of active compounds, such as different tone modifiers and stabilisers, on silver. In particular, the feasibility of detecting adsorption and/or binding of individual additives and mixtures to silver was examined. Substrates prepared by sputter coating silver on silicon wafers were exposed to solutions of the studied compounds in 2-butanone. The signal intensities measured with S-SIMS for the ad-layers showed reproducibility to within 10%. Radical ions containing silver such as [M-H+Ag]+ * were used as evidence for the formation of bonds in the solid. Also the [M-H+2Ag]+ ions could be assigned to chemisorbed species while [M+Ag]+ ions could be formed by adduct ionisation of molecules with co-ejected Ag+ ions. The signal intensities of [M-H+Ag]+ * and [M-H+2Ag]+ ions were used to monitor the adsorption quantitatively as a function of time.     

Investigation of silver binding to polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers by ESI tandem mass spectrometry

Electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) was used to probe the binding of silver ions and reduced silver species with polyamidoamine generation 1 amine-terminated (PAMAMG1NH2) and generation 2 hydroxyl-terminated (PAMAMG2OH) dendrimers. At Ag(+)/PAMAMG2OH molar ratios of 1, 2:1 and low abundance 3:1 complexes emerge. Similar results were observed for PAMAMG1NH2. The collisional activated dissociation (CAD) patterns of the dendrimer ions are characterized by losses of amidoamine branches resulting largely from hydrogen migration and cleavage reactions. Ag+/dendrimer complexes are characterized by the loss of a dendrimer branch from the complex, with the silver ion remaining bound to a dendrimer fragment. When the Ag+-bound dendrimer complexes are reduced by hydrazine, low abundance complexes, whose m/z values are consistent with ones containing zerovalent silver species, are observed in the mass spectra. Complexes with three silver atoms are observed in the spectrum containing PAMAMG1NH2, and complexes with four and five silver atoms are observed with PAMAMG2OH. The CAD fragmentation patterns of the complexes formed after the silver reduction are different than those observed for complexes containing one silver ion and are characterized by the ejection of all silver species, possibly as a cluster, leaving the intact dendrimer ion. Experiments with Cu+, Cu2+, and Pt2+ binding to PAMAMG2OH were also done, but reduced metal clusters were not observed in the mass spectra after the addition of hydrazine.     

Electrolytic electrospray ionization mass spectrometry of quaterthiophene-bridged bisporphyrins: beyond the identification tool

Several quaterthiophene-bridged bisporphyrins were analyzed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The active centers of these molecular assemblies are two porphyrins moieties complexed (Z) or not (H) with a metal ion, typically Zn(2+), and the spacer is a quaterthiophene. The two end-groups were chemically linked to the quaterthiophene spacers by (i) a C--C single bond, (ii) a trans double bond or (iii) a triple bond. The formation of charged species either by protonation ([M + H](+) and [M + 2H](2+)) or electron(s) loss (M(+) and M(2+)), account for the occurrence of electrochemical processes in the basic operation of an electrospray source acting in a non-aqueous solvent. The nature of the observed charged species is correlated with the electro-oxidation properties and proton production by electro-oxidation of residual water. The occurence of these electrochemical reaction is proposed when the electroactivity of the electrosprayed substrates is not sufficient to support the current demand of the ESI source. In this way, the results obtained from the analysed series suggest the occurrence of such a process when the interfacial potential of the metal capillary reaches a value of 0.75 V vs Ag/AgCl. The results of theoretical calculations confirm the importance of the ionization energy with regard to the protonation energy in the course of the ionization reaction. The structural differences at the porphyrin-linker junctions lead to significantly smaller ionization energy in the case of the trans double bond. The MS observation of discharged dimers from molecular assemblies, including two complexed porphyrins ZZ or two free bases HH as end-group and a triple bond as the quaterthiophene-bisporphyrin junction, indicates together with molecular modelling (carried out at the semi-empirical PM3 level), that the planar and symmetric structures favour stacking.     

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry studies of noncovalent myosin VI complexes reveal a new specific calmodulin binding site

Among the myosin superfamily, myosin VI differs from all others by a reverse directionality and a particular motility. Little structural information is available for myosin VI. It is known that it binds one calmodulin (CaM) by means of a single "IQ motif" and that myosin VI contains a specific insert located at the junction between the motor domain (MD) and the lever arm, likely to play a critical role for the unusual motility previously observed. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (MS) was used to determine the CaM and Ca2+ stoichiometries in several myosin VI constructs. In particular, the experimental conditions required for the observation of multiprotein/Ca2+ noncovalent assemblies are detailed for two truncated MD constructs (less than 20 kDa) and for three full MD constructs (more than 90 KDa). The specificity of the detected stoichiometries is discussed for each construct and the resolving power of Time of Flight mass spectrometry is stressed, in particular for the detection of metal ions binding to high molecular weight complexes. MS reveals a new CaM binding site for myosin VI and highlights a different behavior for the five myosin VI constructs versus Ca2+ binding. In addition to these stoichiometry based experiments, gas-phase dissociation analyses on intact complexes are described. They reveal that Ca2+ transfer between protein partners occurs during the dissociation process for one construct with a full MD. Charge-transfer and dissociation behavior has allowed to draw structural assumptions for the interaction of the MD with the CaM N-terminal lobe.     

Differential labeling of free and disulfide-bound thiol functions in proteins

A method for the simultaneous determination of the number of free cysteine groups and disulfide-bound cysteine groups in proteins has been developed based on the sequential labeling of free and bound thiol functionalities with two ferrocene-based maleimide reagents. Liquid chromatography/electrochemistry/mass spectrometry was used to assign the N-(2-ferroceneethyl)maleimide (FEM) labeled free cysteine functionalities in a tryptic digest mixture, whereas a precursor ion scan enables the detection of peptides with ferrocenecarboxylic acid-(2-maleimidoyl)ethylamide (FMEA) labeled disulfide-bound cysteine groups after reduction. Fragment spectra of the labeled peptides yield an excellent coverage of b-type and y-type ions. The ferrocene labeled cysteines were fragmented as 412 Da (FEM) and 455 Da (FMEA). These fragment masses are significantly higher than unlabeled amino acids or dipeptides and are easily detected. The position of free and disulfide-bound cysteine may therefore be assigned in an amino acid sequence.     

MoSe2/Ag3PO4复合材料的制备及其可见光降解罗丹明B的光催化性能

通过原位沉积法合成了一种光催化活性强、稳定性高的MoSe2/Ag3PO4复合材料。MoSe2/Ag3PO4形成的异质结构能有效分离光生电子-空穴对,从而提高光催化活性。光生电子从Ag3PO4表面向MoSe2的转移降低了Ag+向金属Ag的可能性。当MoSe2和Ag3PO4的质量分数为1∶5(最优组合)时,MoSe2/Ag3PO4在可见光照射下30 min内降解RhB效率达98%,并且经过4次重复试验,其可见光照射下RhB降解效率仍可达到89%。通过液相色谱/质谱(LC/MS)技术测定光催化过程中产物的变化,提出了MoSe2/Ag3PO4光催化降解RhB的途径。     

Gas phase ion chemistry of charged silver(I) adenine ions via multistage mass spectrometry experiments and DFT calculations

Electrospray ionization (ESI) of solutions containing adenine and AgNO(3) yields polymeric [Ad(x)+ Ag(y)-zH]((y-z)+) species. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been used to examine potential structures for several of the smaller ions while multistage mass spectrometry experiments have been used to probe their unimolecular reactivity (via collision-induced dissociation (CID)) and bimolecular reactivity (via ion-molecule reactions with the neutral reagents acetonitrile, methanol, butylamine and pyridine). DFT calculations of neutral adenine tautomers and their silver ion adducts provide insights into the binding modes of adenine. We find that the most stable [Ad + Ag](+) ion does not correspond to the most stable neutral adenine tautomer, consistent with previous studies that have shown that transition metal ions can stabilize rare tautomeric forms of nucleobases. Both the charge and the stoichiometry of the [Ad(x)+ Ag(y)-zH]((y-z)+) complexes play pivotal roles in directing the types of fragmentation and ion-molecule reactions observed. Thus, [Ad(2)+ Ag(2)](2+) is observed to dissociate to [Ad + Ag](+) and to react with butylamine via proton transfer, while [Ad(2)+ Ag(2)- H](+) fragments via loss of neutral adenine to form the [Ad + Ag(2)- H](+) ion and does not undergo proton transfer to butylamine. DFT calculations on several isomeric [Ad(2)+ Ag(2)](2+) ions suggest that planar centrosymmetric cations, in which two adjacent silver atoms are bridged by two N7H adenine tautomers via N(3),N(9)-bidentate interactions, are the most stable. The [Ad + Ag(2)-H](+) ion adds two neutral reagents in ion-molecule reactions, consistent with the presence of two vacant coordination sites. It undergoes a silver atom loss to form the [Ad + Ag - H](+) radical cation, which in turn fragments quite differently to the even electron [Ad + Ag](+) ion. Several other pairs of radical cation/even electron adenine-silver complexes were also found to undergo different fragmentation reactions.     

Interfacing multistage mass spectrometry with liquid chromatography or ion mobility separation for synthetic polymer analysis

Synthetic polymers are naturally mixtures of homologs, even in pure form. More complexity is introduced by the presence of different comonomers, end groups and/or macromolecular architectures. The analysis of such systems is substantially facilitated by interfacing mass spectrometry (MS), which disperses based on mass, with an additional level of separation involving either interactive liquid chromatography (LC) or ion mobility (IM) spectrometry, both of which are readily coupled online with electrospray ionization and MS detection. IM-MS separates in the gas phase, post-ionization and, therefore, is ideally suitable for labile and reactive polymers. Its usefulness is illustrated with the characterization of non-covalent siloxane-saccharide complexes, metallosupramolecular assemblies and an air- and moisture-sensitive inorganic polymer, poly(dichlorophosphazene). Conversely, LC-MS which separates in solution phase, before ionization, is most effective for the analysis of polymeric mixtures whose components differ in polarity. Interactive LC conditions can be optimized to disperse by the content of hydrophobic units, as is demonstrated for amphiphilic polyether copolymers and sugar-based nonionic surfactant blends. Both LC-MS and IM-MS can be extended into a third dimension by tandem mass spectrometry (MS(2)) studies on select oligomers, in order to obtain insight into individual end groups and isomeric architectures, comonomer sequences and degree of substitution, for example, by hydrophobic functionalities.     

Determination of IGF-1 and IGF-2, their degradation products and synthetic analogues in urine by LC-MS/MS

Peptide analysis in doping controls by means of nano-UPLC coupled high resolution/high mass accuracy mass spectrometry provides the state-of-the-art technique in modern sports drug testing. The present study describes a recent application of this technique for the qualitative determination of different urinary insulin-like growth factor (IGF) related peptides. After simultaneous isolation by solid phase extraction and magnetic particle-based immunoaffinity purification, target analytes (IGF-1, IGF-2, Des1-3-IGF-1, R(3)-IGF-1 and longR(3)-IGF-1) were separated by nano-liquid chromatography prior to mass spectrometric detection. Endogenously produced IGF-1 and IGF-2, as well as the degradation product Des1-3-IGF-1, were frequently detected in urine samples from healthy volunteers in a concentration range of 20-400 pg mL(-1). The impact of IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs), being also present in urine, was potentially estimated by an additional ultrafiltration step in the sample preparation procedure. The synthetic analogue longR(3)-IGF-1, which is assumed to be subject to misuse by cheating athletes, was also analysed and detected in fortified urine samples. Besides the intact molecule, an N-terminally truncated degradation product Des1-10-longR(3)-IGF-1 was identified as the more stable target for doping controls using urine samples. The method was validated for qualitative purposes considering the parameters specificity, limit of detection (20-50 pg mL(-1)), recovery (10-35%), precision (<20%), linearity, robustness and stability.     

Complexation of phenolic guests by endo- and exo-hydrogen-bonded receptors

This article describes the complexation of phenol derivatives by hydrogen-bonded receptors. These phenol receptors are formed by self-assembly of calix[4]arene dimelamine or tetramelamine derivatives with 5,5-diethylbarbiturate (DEB) or cyanurate derivatives (CYA). The double rosette assemblies 3(3).(DEB)6/(CYA)6 have their phenol-binding functionalities (ureido groups) at the top and at the bottom of the double rosette (exo-receptors). The tetrarosette assemblies 4(3).(DEB)12/(CYA)12 form a cavity with binding sites between the two double rosettes for guest encapsulation (endo-receptors). An intrinsic binding constant Ka of 202 M-1 and 286 M-1 for the binding of 4-nitrophenol to the ureido functionalized exo- and endo-receptors, respectively, was observed. For the exo-receptor a 1:6 stoichiometry was observed while for the endo-receptor 1:4 binding stoichiometry was determined by Job plot and MALDI-TOF MS. The important role that the hydroxy group's acidity plays in the complexation of 4-nitrophenol is clarified by binding studies with different phenol derivatives. The hydrogen-bonded receptors showed a much smaller response towards less acidic phenol derivatives.     

Multidimensional Mass Spectrometry of Synthetic Polymers and Advanced Materials

Multidimensional mass spectrometry interfaces a suitable ionization technique and mass analysis (MS) with fragmentation by tandem mass spectrometry (MS²) and an orthogonal online separation method. Separation choices include liquid chromatography (LC) and ion‐mobility spectrometry (IMS), in which separation takes place pre‐ionization in the solution state or post‐ionization in the gas phase, respectively. The MS step provides elemental composition information, while MS² exploits differences in the bond stabilities of a polymer, yielding connectivity and sequence information. LC conditions can be tuned to separate by polarity, end‐group functionality, or hydrodynamic volume, whereas IMS adds selectivity by macromolecular shape and architecture. This Minireview discusses how selected combinations of the MS, MS², LC, and IMS dimensions can be applied, together with the appropriate ionization method, to determine the constituents, structures, end groups, sequences, and architectures of a wide variety of homo‐ and copolymeric materials, including multicomponent blends, supramolecular assemblies, novel hybrid materials, and large cross‐linked or nonionizable polymers.     

Characterization of self-assembled supramolecular [Ga4L6] host-guest complexes by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Self-assembled supramolecular host-guest complexes have been characterized by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The spectra obtained by use of a Q-TOF instrument equipped with a Z-spray ion source show primarily the 3- and 4- charge states of the assemblies. The assemblies have the general formula [guest subset Ga4L6]11- where L represents the chelating bidentate catechol ligand 1,5-bis(2',3'-dihydroxy-benzamido)naphthalene and guests are tetramethyl ammonium (Me4N+), tetraethyl ammonium (Et4N+), tetra-n-propyl ammonium (Pr4N+) and decamethylcobaltocenium (Cp*2Co+) cations. For the first time, the mass spectrum of the empty assembly [Ga4L6]12- is reported. This article also reports that provided the electrospray ion source is capable of preserving noncovalent interactions, it is possible to observe host-guest complexes containing both weak binding guests as well as sterically demanding guests in the mass spectra. The present data suggest that electrospray mass spectrometry is a powerful tool for characterization of supramolecular host-guest complexes.     

Selective peptide binding using facially amphiphilic dendrimers

Amphiphilic dendrimers, which contain both hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups in every repeat unit, exhibit environment-dependent assemblies both in hydrophilic solvent, water, and in lipophilic solvent, toluene. Upon investigating the status of these assemblies in a mixture of immiscible solvents, these dendrimers were found to be kinetically trapped in the solvent in which they are initially assembled. This property has been exploited to selectively extract peptides from aqueous solution into an organic phase, where the peptides bind to the interior functionalities of the dendritic inverse micelles. While the corresponding small molecule surfactant does not exhibit any selective binding toward peptides, all dendrons (G1-G3) are capable of this selective binding. We show that the inverse micelle-type assembly itself is crucial for the binding event and that the assembly formed by the G1 dendron has a greater capability for binding compared to the G2 or G3 dendrons. We have also shown that the average apparent pKa of the carboxylic acid functionalities varies with generation, and this could be the reason for the observed differences in binding capacity.     

Assembly of Palladium(II) and Platinum(II) Metallo‐Rectangles with a Guanosine‐Substituted Terpyridine and Study of Their Interactions with Quadruplex DNA

Two novel [2+2] metallo‐assemblies based on a guanosine‐substituted terpyridine ligand ( 1 ) coordinated to palladium(II) ( 2 a ) and platinum(II) ( 2 b ) are reported. These supramolecular assemblies have been fully characterized by NMR spectroscopy, ESI mass spectrometry and elemental analyses. The palladium(II) complex ( 2 a ) has also been characterized by single crystal X‐ray diffraction studies confirming that the system is a [2+2] metallo‐rectangle in the solid state. The stabilities of these [2+2] assemblies in solution have been confirmed by DOSY studies as well as by variable temperature ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The ability of these dinuclear complexes to interact with quadruplex and duplex DNA was investigated by fluorescent intercalator displacement (FID) assays, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) melting studies, and electrospray mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS). These studies have shown that both these assemblies interact selectively with quadruplex DNA (human telomeric DNA and the G‐rich promoter region of c‐myc oncogene) over duplex DNA, and are able to induce dimerization of parallel G‐quadruplex structures.