Poor reproducibility of in-source collisional atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectra of toxicologically relevant drugs

The purpose of the study was to examine the intra- and interlaboratory reproducibility of mass spectra obtained with liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry (LC--API-MS) both in electrospray (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) modes. Toxicologically relevant drugs of different polarity were selected as test substances: morphine-6-glucuronide, 6-monoacetylmorphine, codeine, lysergic acid diethylamide, methylenedioxymethamphetamine. The study was performed in two laboratories using identical instruments and in one using a slightly different instrument. Basic instrument settings and mobile phase were identical in all laboratories. Mass spectra of drugs were taken at four collision energy voltages and using mobile phase of different composition (four concentration levels of acetonitrile and of ammonium formate buffer). The experiments demonstrated that mass spectra of given drugs, obtained in identical conditions with identical instruments, may show very different degrees of fragmentation. Mass spectra obtained with different instruments differed profoundly not only in the degree of fragmentation, but also different fragments and adducts were observed. Short-term intralaboratory reproducibility of mass spectra was satisfactory. On the other hand, the long-term experiments showed different degrees of fragmentation of APCI-generated mass spectra at nominally identical fragmentation energy. The changes in the composition of the mobile phase (concentration of organic modifier or buffer molarity) did not affect the reproducibility of fragmentation to any relevant degree. The study showed that the interlaboratory exchange and use of mass spectrum library, generated by single-quadrupole (LC--API-MS instruments, is hardly feasible at the moment, even under very carefully standardized conditions.     

Effect of electrospray ionization conditions on low-energy tandem mass spectra of peptides

The effect of electrospray ionization (ESI) conditions on low-energy tandem mass spectra of peptides in the relative molecular mass range 400–1200 was examined. For singly charged peptide ions the source skimmer potential (which determines the degree of acceleration of the ions through the intermediate pressure region in the source) can strongly influence the extent of fragmentation observed in tandem mass spectra, especially at low collision energies. For each peptide there is an optimum skimmer potential which represents a balance between generating ions with sufficient internal energy for subsequent tandem mass spectrometric experiments and inducing the onset of other processes such as source fragmentation. The fragmentation which can be achieved in tandem mass spectra with high skimmer potentials differs from ESI source fragmentation for the same peptides. We have found that fragmentation in ESI mass spectra depends both on skimmer potential and on solvent pH, presumably because the latter determines the proportion of doubly charged species generated from a given peptide. Low-energy tandem mass spectra of peptides following ESI are equally as sensitive to peptide structure and the type of adduct studied (e.g. [M + H]⁺ vs. [M + NH₄]⁺) as tandem mass spectra obtained following older ionization methods such as fast atom bombardment.     

芹菜素的电喷雾萃取电离串联质谱

采用实验室自制的电喷雾萃取电离源(EESI),结合串联质谱(MSn)技术,对芹菜素这一典型的黄酮类活性化合物的质谱行为进行了研究。实验表明,在正、负离子检测模式下,该化合物均能得到较好的EESI-MS信号,且在负离子检测模式下灵敏度更高。通过对比芹菜素的EESI-MS和电喷雾电离质谱(ESI-MS)谱图发现,芹菜素在EESI-MS和ESI-MS中的裂解规律相似,但是EESI是一种比ESI更软的电离模式。根据对芹菜素EESI-MS特征碎片离子的分析,提出了芹菜素在EESI-MS中裂解的基本规律,为EESI-MS技术用于分析、鉴定复杂基质中痕量芹菜素奠定了理论和实验基础。     

Sites of protonation in phenothiazines: Methane and ammonia chemical ionization mass spectra

Positive ion methane and ammonia chemical ionization mass spectra for ten phenothiazine derivatives are reported. The fragmentations observed in the chemical ionization mass spectra are rationalized in terms of the location of the added proton. High-resolution measurements are used to confirm empirical formulae of the ions in the mass spectra. Changes in the mass spectra with a change in the chemical ionization reagent gas from methane to ammonia are described. A comparison with positive ion secondary ion mass spectra of the same compounds show that the amount of fragmentation is higher in the secondary ion mass spectra, but the same types of ions are observed in spectra produced by both ionization methods.     

Electrospray and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectral characterization of linear single nylon-6 oligomers

Synthetic nylon-6 single molecular mass oligomers were studied by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) and electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry. These oligomers, considered as model compounds for the study of nylon-6 polymers, gave good mass spectrometric results using both MALDI and ESI. In spite of the gentle nature of both techniques, the MALDI and ESI spectra showed evidence of end-group cleavage from the oligomer chains. MALDI-MS was found to give similar fragmentation patterns for all of the oligomer samples. An increase in doubly charged ion signals with increasing oligomer mass was observed in the ESI mass spectra, as was end-group fragmentation. Signals from oligomer clusters were observed in ESI-MS for the dimer, tetramer and hexamer, most likely due to non-covalent bonding among the low-mass oligomer molecules.     

Mass spectral fragmentation reactions of a therapeutic 4-azasteroid and related compounds

Mass spectra were acquired for a therapeutic 4-azasteroid (dutasteride), and some related compounds, using various ionization conditions (EI, CI, APCI and ESI) in both positive and negative ion modes. The ionization and fragmentation behavior of the compound dutasteride, its precursors and several analogs is reported. Positive atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI+) and positive electrospray ionization (ESI+) produced distinctive collision-induced dissociation (CID) spectra for the respective [MH]+ ions of dutasteride. The spectral differences are attributed to ion populations having either different structures or different internal energy distributions (as a consequence of the method of ionization). Irrespective of their origin, the protonated molecules undergo interesting fragmentation reactions when collisionally activated. The identity of the major fragmentation products was confirmed by accurate mass measurement. The negative APCI mass spectrum of dutasteride displays extensive dehydrohalogenation, apparently due to the thermal component of the APCI process. Some of the resulting radical anions display remarkable stability toward collisional decomposition. Details of the fragmentation behavior for the negative ion species and their relationship to the positive ion results are discussed.     

Basic rules for the interpretation of atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectra of small molecules

This review summarizes the basic rules for the interpretation of atmospheric pressure ionization (API) mass spectra of small molecules written with the style primarily intended for beginners and low-experienced researchers with the mass spectra interpretation. The first and basic step in any interpretation of mass spectra is always the determination of molecular weight, which is relatively easy in case of soft ionization techniques due to the limited extend of fragmentation and the prevailing presence of (de)protonated molecules in the full scan mass spectra. These [M+H]⁺ and [M−H]⁻ ions are often accompanied by low abundant molecular adducts, which can be used as the supplementary information for the unambiguous determination of molecular weights. In certain cases, adduct ions may dominate the spectra. The subsequent interpretation of full scan and tandem mass spectra is more complicated due to a high number of possible functional groups, structural subunits and their combinations resulting in numerous competitive fragmentation pathways. Typical neutral losses and the effect of individual functional groups on the fragmentation are discussed in detail and illustrated with selected examples. Modern mass analyzers have powerful features for the structural elucidation, for example high resolving power, high mass accuracy, multistage tandem mass spectrometry, dedicated softwares for the interpretation of mass spectra and prediction of their fragmentation. Background information on differences among individual ionization techniques suitable for the HPLC–MS coupling and basic types of mass analyzers with consequences for the data interpretation is briefly discussed as well. Selected examples illustrate that the right optimization of chromatographic separation and the use of other than mass spectrometric detectors can bring valuable complementary information.     

Fast-atom bombardment and thermospray mass spectrometry for the characterization of two glucuronide metabolites of methapyrilene

Two conjugated metabolites of methapyrilene hydrochloride isolated from mouse-hepatocytes were examined by mass spectrometry using fast-atom bombardment (FAB) and thermospray ionization. The major metabolite, methapyrilene glucuronide, was identified based on a prominent peak due to the protonated molecule as well as the loss of the dimethylamine and sugar moieties. Identification of the second metabolite was complicated by large signals associated with the biological sample matrix. The complementary nature of the fragmentation observed in the mass spectra using FAB and thermospray ionization allowed this metabolite to be identified as the desmethylmethapyrilene glucuronide. The fragmentation observed using FAB ionization was not greatly affected by the presence of the glucuronide moiety. While loss of the sugar moiety indicated a glucuronide, additional fragmentation confirmed the presence of the underlying ethylenediamine substructure which is characteristic of this class of antihistamines.     

Ring contraction reactions of 2,3-dihydro-4H-1,3-oxazin-4-ones under electrospray ionization conditions

The mass spectral behavior of 2,3-dihydro-4H-1,3-oxazin-4-ones has been investigated using electrospray ionization multi-stage mass spectrometry (ESI-MS(n)). All compounds showed a predominant retro-Diels-Alder (RDA) fragmentation pathway, and a novel ring contraction reaction by loss of isocynates was also found. The fragmentation mechanisms proposed for 4H-1,3-oxazin-4-ones are supported by ESI-MS/MS/MS spectra.     

Sequence-specific fragmentation of benzyloxycarbonyl dipeptides by resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization

The mechanism of fragment ion formation in resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) of benzyloxycarbonyl (CBZ)-derivitized dipeptides is presented. At 266 nm, the entire multiphoton process can be thought of as a two-part scheme where ionization occurs by resonant two-photon ionization followed by photodissociation of the created ions. When the energy of two photons exceeds the molecular ionization energy by a significant amount, REMPI has the advantage of producing both parent ions and low appearance energy fragments in large amounts. For CBZ dipeptides, resonant two-photon ionization at 266 nm produces parent ions as well as A type sequence ions with high abundance. On the other hand, a three-photon process (resonant two-photon ionization followed by parent ion photodissociation) forms sequence-related ions which also involve complex fragmentations of the CBZ chromophore. These results are compared to mass spectra obtained by other ionization/dissociation methods and to REMPI mass spectra of related compounds. Factors related to molecular structure elucidation based upon REMPI mass spectra are discussed. Enhanced isomer distinction is demonstrated for CBZ-leu-ala-OCH₃ and CBZ-ile-ala-OCH₃ based upon REMPI fragmentation.     

Mass spectra of dicyanomethylene derivatives of benzophenone analogs

The dicyanomethylene derivative of a benzophenone analog significantly alters the fragmentation pattern observed during electron impact ionization of the underivatized parent compound. A double bond connecting the dicyanomethylene moiety to the parent compound is cleaved during a major fragmentation pathway for many of these compounds. A mechanism involving rearrangement of two hydrogen atoms is proposed to rationalize cleavage of this double bond. Conventional mass spectra as well as collisionally activated dissociation mass spectra of selected ions of several model compounds are reported and described in support of a proposed fragmentation mechanism.     

The mass spectra and ionization potentials of the neutral fragments produced during the electron bombardment of aromatic compounds

A mass spectrometer equipped with a dual ionization chamber ion source has been used to characterize directly the neutral species produced in the dissociative ionization of gases by electron impact. Neutral fragment mass spectra have been obtained for the electron ionization and fragmentation of benzene, toluene, o-xylene, m-xylene, p-xylene, mesitylene and isotopically labeled toluene. The neutral fragment mass spectra correlate well with the structures of the molecules. The abundant species in the neutral fragment mass spectra also correlate reasonably well with the abundant complementary positive ions of the normal mass spectra. Ionization potentials have been determined for the abundant neutral species produced. Where comparisons with values reported elsewhere are possible, the agreement is usually within ±0.2 eV or less.     

Mass spectra of new substituted 2-amino-4H-pyrans: a retro-Diels-Alder reaction pattern

New substituted 2-amino-3-cyano-4H-pyrans have been studied by electron ionization (EI), chemical ionization (CI) and electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry. The retro-Diels-Alder reaction (RDA) is the main fragmentation pattern observed in the EI spectra forming an unsaturated ketone as the diene fragment. In contrast, a different RDA reaction takes place yielding an unsaturated amide as diene fragment together with the unsaturated ketone in the CI spectra. The MS/MS spectra obtained using an ESI source reveal that the favoured fragmentation by collision induced dissociation (CID) is the elimination of the substituent at the C4 position with formation of a stable pyrilium cation.     

The nature of collision-induced dissociation processes of doubly protonated peptides: comparative study for the future use of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization on a hybrid quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer in proteomics.

Comparative MS/MS studies of singly and doubly charged electrospray ionization (ESI) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) precursor peptide ions are described. The spectra from these experiments have been evaluated with particular emphasis on the data quality for subsequent data processing and protein/amino acid sequence identification. It is shown that, once peptide ions are formed by ESI or MALDI, their charge state, as well as the collision energy, is the main parameter determining the quality of collision-induced dissociation (CID) MS/MS fragmentation spectra of a given peptide. CID-MS/MS spectra of singly charged peptides obtained on a hybrid quadrupole orthogonal time-of-flight mass spectrometer resemble very closely spectra obtained by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization post-source decay time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-PSD-TOFMS). On the other hand, comparison of CID-MS/MS spectra of either singly or doubly charged ion species shows no dependence on whether ions have been formed by ESI or MALDI. This observation confirms that, at the time of precursor ion selection, further mass analysis is effectively decoupled from the desorption/ionization event. Since MALDI ions are predominantly formed as singly charged species and ESI ions as doubly charged, the associated difference in the spectral quality of MS/MS spectra as described here imposes direct consequences on data processing, database searching using ion fragmentation data, and de novo sequencing when ionization techniques are changed.     

Elucidation of urinary metabolites of fluoxymesterone by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

The suitability of liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for the elucidation of fluoxymesterone metabolism has been evaluated. Electrospray ionization (ESI) and collision induced dissociation (CID) fragmentation in LC-MS/MS and electron impact spectra (EI) in GC-MS have been studied for fluoxymesterone and two commercially available metabolites. MS(n) experiments and accurate mass measurements performed by an ion-trap analyser and a QTOF instrument respectively have been used for the elucidation of the fragmentation pathway. The neutral loss scan of 20 Da (loss of HF) in LC-MS/MS has been applied for the selective detection of fluoxymesterone metabolites. In a positive fluoxymesterone doping control sample, 9 different analytes have been detected including the parent compound. Seven of these metabolites were also confirmed by GC-MS including 5 previously unreported metabolites. On the basis of the ionization, the CID fragmentation, the accurate mass of the product ions and the EI spectra of these analytes, a tentative elucidation as well as a proposal for the metabolic pathway of fluoxymesterone has been suggested. The presence of these compounds has also been confirmed by the analysis of five other positive fluoxymesterone urine samples.     

Electron ionization and atmospheric pressure photochemical ionization in gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of amino acids

The mass spectra of tert-butyldimethylsilyl (TBDMS) derivatives of 17 amino acids were obtained using electron ionization (EI) and atmospheric pressure photochemical ionization (APPhCI) mass spectrometry. The APPhCI mass spectra for all of the derivatives except arginine were shown to consist of only molecular [M](+.) and quasimolecular [MH](+) ions whereas, in the case of EI, the compounds in question underwent a drastic fragmentation. The application of APPhCI to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry enables a reliable identification of the TBDMS derivatives of amino acids in a mixture, even if its components are only partially resolved, due to the unique molecular masses for each compound. Comparison of the respective positive-ion chemical ionization (PICI) mass spectra available in the literature with APPhCI spectra has shown that, in the case of PICI, unlike APPhCI, noticeable fragmentation occurs.     

Chemical ionization mass spectra of 2, 4, 6-trinitroaromatic compounds

The methane and isobutane chemical ionization mass spectra of ten 2,4,6-trinitroaromatic compounds have been recorded. The mass spectra contain intense [M + 1]⁺ ions and usually little fragmentation. However, in some cases major fragmentation processes have been observed. Some unusual adduct ions have been found with isobutane as the reagent and their temperature dependence has been studied.     

Laser multiphoton ionization in a time-of-flight mass spectrometer: vibronic/mass spectra of triethylenediamine from 425 to 560 nm

Resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) fragmentation patterns are obtained as a function of laser wave-length using a new, computer-controlled, high-resolution time-of-flight laser mass spectrometer system. REMPI mass spectra for triethylenediamine show extensive fragmentation, the pattern dependent upon the particular two-photon resonance (doorway state) selected.     

Letter: electron impact mass spectrometry study of a series of substituted 5- aminoalkylmethyl-cytosines and their 1-N-(o-, m- and p-)bromobenzyl-substituted derivatives

The electron-impact mass spectra of 5-aminoalkylmethyl-substituted cytosine and of their 1-N- o-(m- or p-)bromobenzyl-substituted derivatives are discussed. The influence of 5-aminoalkyl and 1-N-bromobenzyl substituents on the mode of mass fragmentation occurring upon electron impact ionization was demonstrated. The fragmentation pathways of all compounds and the characteristic ions in these spectra originating from the McLafferty rearrangement, RDA reactions and simple cleavages are presented.     

2,2-二羟甲基丙二酸二乙酯的化学电离质谱分析

化学电离(chem ical ionization,CI)是由Munson和Field[1]于1966年提出的一种质谱电离技术,其原理实际上是分子-离子反应[2,3]。在化学电离条件下,常常可以得到丰度很强的准分子离子峰,没有或很少碎片离子,能准确提供相对分子质量信息,但缺乏结构信息。我们在实验中发现,采用适