Separation, determination and identification of the diastereoisomers of podophyllotoxin and its esters by high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A rapid and stable high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) and a high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI/MS/MS) method were developed and validated for the separation, determination, and identification of eight pairs of diastereoisomers of podophyllotoxin and its esters at C-2 position. The separation was carried out on BDS Hypersil C18 column with CH3OH-CH3CN-H2O as the mobile phase in a gradient program. Interestingly, every 2alpha-H compound migrated before its corresponding 2beta-H epimer under optimum conditions. Also, the [M+NH(4)](+) of all eight pairs of compounds was observed in the HPLC-ESI/MS spectra. The characteristic elimination from the precursor protonated ions and the product ions at m/z 397, 313, 282, and 229 were the common diagnostic masses. The ion ratios of relative abundance [M-ROH+H](+) (ion 397) to [M+NH(4)](+), [A+H](+) (ion 313) to [M-ROH+H](+), and [M-ROH-ArH+H](+) (ion 229) to [M-ROH+H](+) in the ESI/MS/MS spectra of each pair of diastereoisomers of the lignans specifically exhibited a stereochemical effect. Thus, by using identical sample solutions and chromatographic conditions (including the same columns and gradient programs), the combination of DAD and MS/MS data permitted the separation and identification of the eight pairs of diastereoisomers of the podophyllotoxin and its esters in the mixture. The method could be used in rapidly identifying the purity and monitoring of the epimerization of 2-H of podophyllotoxin and its analogues from natural products, chemical reactions, and pharmaceutical metabolism.     

Fragmentation reactions of protonated peptides containing glutamine or glutamic acid

A variety of protonated dipeptides and tripeptides containing glutamic acid or glutamine were prepared by electrospray ionization or by fast atom bombardment ionization and their fragmentation pathways elucidated using metastable ion studies, energy-resolved mass spectrometry and triple-stage mass spectrometry (MS(3)) experiments. Additional mechanistic information was obtained by exchanging the labile hydrogens for deuterium. Protonated H-Gln-Gly-OH fragments by loss of NH(3) and loss of H(2)O in metastable ion fragmentation; under collision-induced dissociation (CID) conditions loss of H-Gly-OH + CO from the [MH - NH(3)](+) ion forms the base peak C(4)H(6)NO(+) (m/z 84). Protonated dipeptides with an alpha-linkage, H-Glu-Xxx-OH, are characterized by elimination of H(2)O and by elimination of H-Xxx-OH plus CO to form the glutamic acid immonium ion of m/z 102. By contrast, protonated dipeptides with a gamma-linkage, H-Glu(Xxx-OH)-OH, do not show elimination of H(2)O or formation of m/z 102 but rather show elimination of NH(3), particularly in metastable ion fragmentation, and elimination of H-Xxx-OH to form m/z 130. Both the alpha- and gamma-dipeptides show formation of [H-Xxx-OH]H(+), with this reaction channel increasing in importance as the proton affinity (PA) of H-Xxx-OH increases. The characteristic loss of H(2)O and formation of m/z 102 are observed for the protonated alpha-tripeptide H-Glu-Gly-Phe-OH whereas the protonated gamma-tripeptide H-Glu(Gly-Gly-OH)-OH shows loss of NH(3) and formation of m/z 130 as observed for dipeptides with the gamma-linkage. Both tripeptides show abundant formation of the y(2)' ion under CID conditions, presumably because a stable anhydride neutral structure can be formed. Under metastable ion conditions protonated dipeptides of structure H-Xxx-Glu-OH show abundant elimination of H(2)O whereas those of structure H-Xxx-Gln-OH show abundant elimination of NH(3). The importance of these reaction channels is much reduced under CID conditions, the major fragmentation mode being cleavage of the amide bond to form either the a(1) ion or the y(1)' ion. Particularly when Xxx = Gly, under CID conditions the initial loss of NH(3) from the glutamine containing dipeptide is followed by elimination of a second NH(3) while the initial loss of H(2)O from the glutamic acid dipeptide is followed by elimination of NH(3). Isotopic labelling shows that predominantly labile hydrogens are lost in both steps. Although both [H-Gly-Glu-Gly-OH]H(+) and [H-Gly-Gln-Gly-OH]H(+) fragment mainly to form b(2) and a(2) ions, the latter also shows elimination of NH(3) plus a glycine residue and formation of protonated glycinamide. Isotopic labelling shows extensive mixing of labile and carbon-bonded hydrogens in the formation of protonated glycinamide.     

Structural determination of the novel fragmentation routes of zwitteronic morphine opiate antagonists naloxonazine and naloxone hydrochlorides using electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight (ESI-QqToF) mass spectra of the zwitteronic salts naloxonazine dihydrochloride 1 and naloxone hydrochloride 2, a common series of morphine opiate receptor antagonists, were recorded using different declustering potentials. The singly charged ion [M+H-2HCl](+) at m/z 651.3170 and the doubly charged ion [M+2H-2HCl](2+) at m/z 326.1700 were noted for naloxonazine dihydrochloride 1; and the singly charged ion [M+H-HCl](+) at m/z 328.1541 was observed for naloxone hydrochloride 2. Low-energy collision-induced dissociation tandem mass spectrometry (CID-MS/MS) experiments established the fragmentation routes of these compounds. In addition to the characteristic diagnostic product ions obtained, we noticed the formation of a series of radical product ions for the zwitteronic compounds 1 and 2, and also the formation of a distonic ion product formed from the singly charged ion [M+H-HCl](+) of naloxone hydrochloride 2. Confirmation of the various established fragmentation routes was effected by conducting a series of ESI-CID-QqTof-MS/MS product ion scans, which were initiated by CID in the atmospheric pressure/vacuum interface using a higher declustering potential. Deuterium labeling was also performed on the zwitteronic salts 1 and 2, in which the hydrogen atoms of the OH and NH groups were exchanged with deuterium atoms. Low-energy CID-QqTof-MS/MS product ion scans of the singly charged and doubly charged deuteriated molecules confirmed the initial fragmentation patterns proposed for the protonated molecules. Precursor ion scan analyses were also performed with a conventional quadrupole-hexapole-quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer and allowed the confirmation of the genesis of some diagnostic ions.     

Electrospray ionization ion-trap time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry of two furofurans: sesamin and gmelinol

High-resolution electrospray ionization multistage tandem mass spectrometry (MS(1-7)) in positive ion mode was used to determine the accurate masses and the fragmentation pathways of two furofurans, sesamin and gmelinol. The protonated molecules [M+H]+ were absent in the conventional mass spectra of both compounds, but two characteristic ions, [M+H-H(2)O]+ and [M+H-H(2)]+, were always observed. Successive losses of CH(2)O and CO are the common characteristic fragmentations. Based on the exact masses acquired from 21 different tandem mass spectra, two or three fragmentation pathways for each compound are proposed. The consecutive losses of two H(2)O molecules and one H(2) molecule readily take place from the furan rings for both sesamin and gmelinol, resulting in the absence of the protonated molecules in the single-stage experiments. HCHO loss is observed at least three times in the tandem mass spectra, mainly from methylenedioxy groups (OCH(2)O) for sesamin but only from tetrahydrofuran rings for gmelinol. Moreover, CO loss is found at least three times in the tandem mass spectra of both sesamin and gmelinol from the 3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl (ArOCH(2)O) moieties for sesamin and from both the dimethoxyphenyl and the tetrahydrofuran ring moieties for gmelinol. In addition, the disubstituted benzyl cation ArCH(2)+ at m/z 135 for sesamin and at m/z 151 for gmelinol was found in the MS(3) spectra of both sesamin and gmelinol, which is very helpful in the identification of the compositions of 3,4-disubstituted groups on the benzene rings of the furofurans.     

Liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry for the characterization of twenty-three flavonoids in the extract of Dalbergia odorifera

A method incorporating high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrospray ionization and tandem mass spectrometry, with parallel analysis by HPLC with UV detection using a diode-array detector, was developed for the qualitative characterization of flavonoids in D. odorifera. Twenty-three flavonoids, including six isoflavones, six neoflavones, four isoflavanones, three flavanones, two chalcones, one isoflavanonol and one pterocarpan, were unambiguously identified by comparing their retention times, UV and MS spectra with those of authentic compounds. Furthermore, the collision-induced dissociations of the [M-H]- ions were studied to clarify the MS behavior of the different types of flavonoids. In negative ion ESI-MS all the flavonoids yielded prominent [M-H]- ions in the first order mass spectra. Fragments involving losses of CH3*, H2O, CO, C2H2O, and CO2 were observed in the MS/MS spectra. Each of the seven types of flavonoid showed characteristic MS/MS fragmentation patterns. The isoflavanones, flavanones and chalcones were observed to undergo retro-Diels-Alder fragmentations. The spectra of almost all the neoflavonoids unexpectedly exhibited only [M-H-CH3]-* radical anions as base peaks without any further fragmentation. Substitution positions also remarkably influenced the fragmentation behavior, which could assist in distinction among the flavonoid isomers. The fragmentation rules deduced here could aid in the characterization of other flavonoids of these types.     

Tandem mass spectrometric approach for determining the structure of molecular species of ceramide in the marine sponge Haliclona cribricutis

Ceramides are important intracellular second messengers that play a role in the regulation of cell growth, differentiation and programmed cell death. Analysis of these second messengers requires sensitive and specific analytical method to detect individual ceramide species and to differentiate between them. Eight molecular species of ceramide were identified from the marine sponge Haliclona cribricutis using electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS). From this marine sponge N-hencicosanoyl (N21:0) to N-hexasanoyl (N26:0) Octadecasphing-4 (E)-enine have been reported for the first time. The ESI-MS spectra gave several strong protonated molecular ion [M+H](+) with the corresponding bis (2-ethyl hexyl) phthalate adduct [M+H+DHEP](+). The collision induced dissociation (CID) on ceramides at m/z 622.7337, 636.7645, 650.7789, 664.7925 and 678.8130 conducted at low-collision energy produced well characteristic product ions at m/z 252.31, 264.32, 278.33, 282.33 and 296 .35 for d18:1 sphingosine regardless of the length of the fatty chain. The MS/MS of the Phthalate adduct [M+H+DHEP](+) at m/z 1013.1820, 1027.1971, 1041.2176, 1055.2394 and 1069.2573 also yielded characterizing product ions for sphingosine and confirmed the molecular ion at m/z 391 for bis (2-ethyl hexyl) phthalate. The major ions in the [M+H](+) and [M+H+DHEP](+) were due to neutral loss of [M+H-H(2)O](+) and [M+H(H(2)O)(2)](+).     

Characterization of fifty-one flavonoids in a Chinese herbal prescription Longdan Xiegan Decoction by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry and photodiode array detection

High-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization (ESI) tandem mass spectrometry and photodiode array detection (HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS(n)) was developed to identify and characterize the flavonoids in a Chinese formulated preparation, Longdan Xiegan Decoction (LXD). In total, fifty-one flavonoids (27 flavones, 10 flavanones, 7 chalcones, 5 flavonols and 2 isoflavones) were characterized. Eighteen compounds among them including a newly detected flavonoid, naringin, from the ingredient herbs, were unambiguously determined by comparing the retention times (t(R)), UV spectral data and mass fragmentation behaviors with those of the reference compounds. Another thirty-three compounds were tentatively identified by referencing to the reported data of their UV and MS spectra. The ESI-MS/MS fragmentation behavior of flavones (OMe-substituted, O-glycosides, C-glycosides), chalcones, flavonols and their appropriate characteristic pathways were proposed. In negative ion ESI-MS all the flavonoids yielded prominent [M--H](-) ions in the first order mass spectra. Fragmentation with a loss of mass of 15 Da (CH(3)), 18 Da (H(2)O), 28 Da (CO), 44 Da (CO(2)), 56 Da (2CO) and the residues of glucose and glucuronic acid observed in the MS/MS spectra were useful for aiding the structural identification of the flavonoids investigated.     

Electrospray tandem quadrupole fragmentation of quinolone drugs and related ions. On the reversibility of water loss from protonated molecules

Selected reaction monitoring (SRM) of quinolone drugs showed different sensitivities in aqueous solution vs. biological extract. The authors suggested formation of two singly protonated molecules with different behavior, one undergoing loss of H(2)O and the other loss of CO(2), so that SRM transitions might depend on the ratios of these forms generated by the electrospray. These surprising results prompted us to re-examine several quinolone drugs and some simpler compounds to further elucidate the mechanisms. We find that the relative contributions of loss of H(2)O vs. loss of CO(2) in tandem mass spectrometric (MS/MS) experiments depend not only on molecular structure and collision energy, but also, in certain cases, on the cone voltage. We further find that many product ions formed by loss of H(2)O can reattach a water molecule in the collision cell, whereas ions formed by loss of CO(2) do not. Since reattachment of H(2)O can occur after water loss in the cone region and prior to selection of the precursor ion, this effect leads to the dependence of MS/MS spectra on the cone voltage used in creating the precursor ion, which explains the formerly observed effect on SRM ratios. Our results support the earlier conclusion that varying amounts of two ions of the same m/z value are responsible for problems in the analysis of these drugs, but the origin is in dehydration/rehydration reactions. Thus, SRM transitions for certain complex compounds may be comparable only when monitored under equivalent ion-forming conditions, including the voltage used in the production of the protonated molecules in the electrospray ionization (ESI) source.     

Effect of mobile phase pH, aqueous-organic ratio, and buffer concentration on electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometric fragmentation patterns: implications in liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometric bioanalysis

Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) based on selected reaction monitoring (SRM) is the standard methodology in quantitative analysis of administered xenobiotics in biological samples. Utilizing two SRM channels during positive electrospray ionization (ESI) LC/MS/MS method development for a drug compound containing two basic functional groups, we found that the response ratio (SRM1/SRM2) obtained using an acidic mobile phase was dramatically different from that obtained using a basic mobile phase. This observation is different from the well-established phenomenon of mobile phase affecting the [M+H](+) response, which is directly related to the amount of the [M+H](+) ions produced during the ionization. Results from follow-up work reported herein revealed that the MS/MS fragmentation patterns of four drug or drug-like compounds are affected not only by the pH, but also by the aqueous-organic ratio of the mobile phase and the buffer concentration at a given apparent pH. The observed phenomenon can be explained by invoking that a mixture of [M+H](+) ions of the same m/z value for the analyte is produced that is composed of two or more species which differ only in the site of the proton attachment, which in turn affects their MS/MS fragmentation pattern. The ratio of the different protonated species changes depending on the pH, aqueous-organic ratio, or ionic strength of the mobile phase used. The awareness of the mobile phase dependency of the MS/MS fragmentation pattern of precursor ions of identical m/z value will influence LC/MS/MS-based bioanalytical method development strategies. Specifically, we are recommending that multiple SRM transitions be monitored during mobile phase screening, with the MS/MS parameters used for each SRM optimized for the composition of the mobile phase (pH, organic percentage, and ionic strength) in which the analyte elutes.     

A fragmentation study of podophyllotoxin and its 4'-demethyl-4beta-substituted derivatives by electrospray ionization ion-trap time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry

High-resolution electrospray ionization multistage tandem mass spectrometry (MS(1-9)) was used to determine the accurate masses and the fragmentation pathways of protonated podophyllotoxin (1) and its corresponding 4'-demethyl-4beta-substituted derivatives (2-4). The protonated molecules, [M + H](+), of all the four compounds were observed in the conventional single-stage mass spectra. Two fragmentation pathways, that appear to be characteristic of the four compounds, are proposed on the basis of their multistage tandem mass spectrometric data. The characteristic elimination, from the precursor protonated ions, of the neutral groups 4-R(1)H, 1-ArH, CO, CH(2)O and C(4)H(4)O(2), in which R is located on C-4, is the common elimination, and the product ions at m/z 267, 239, 229, 181, 173, 153, 143 and 115 are the common diagnostic masses. The elimination of the R(1) group substituent located on the C-4 position of compounds 1-4 has a significant influence on the fragmentation pathway obtained in the conventional single-stage mass spectra. A large R(1) group would be unfavorable for this elimination, unless the collision energy is raised. Apart from the common fragmentations obtained for the protonated molecules 1-4, significant additional product ions were detected in the various multistage tandem mass spectrometric analyses, particularly in the case of the product ions derived initially from the phenolic hydroxyl group of 2-4, which are different from those of 1. Based on these additional formed product ions, several additional fragmentation pathways for 1 or 2-4 are also presented.     

Key fragments for identification of positional isomer pair in glucuronides from the hydroxylated metabolites of RT-3003 (Vintoperol) by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

The mass spectral properties of glucuronides of the 9- and 10-hydroxylated metabolites of RT-3003 (Vintoperol; (-)-1beta-ethyl-1alpha-hydroxymethyl-1,2,3,4,6,7, 12balpha-octahydroindolo[2,3-a]quinolizine), which were fractionated by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection, were investigated using the positive ion electrospray ionization mode. These glucuronides showed predominantly the protonated molecular ion ([M + H](+) ion), and the [M + H](+) ion provided a characteristic product ion spectrum in which abundant ions were obtained at m/z 301, 160 and 142. The first ion, corresponding to the [aglycone + H](+) ion, was produced by neutral loss of the glucuronic acid moiety from the [M + H](+) ion. The product ion spectrum of the [M + H](+) ion of hydroxy-RT-3003 revealed a number of ions common to the glucuronide spectra, suggesting that other two ions observed most likely represent fragmentation of hydroxy-RT-3003. In turn, these glucuronides were positional isomers with respect to the binding site of glucuronic acid. The structures of the isomer pairs were discriminated by the presence of the ion of m/z 318 or 336 in the product ion spectrum. These ions were produced by fission of the C-ring, the same as for the formation of the ions of m/z 160 and 142, as were observed in the product ion spectrum from the [M + H](+) ion of hydroxy-RT-3003. For the formation of these ions, an unusual fragmentation process was proposed, and these ion structures were supported by evidence from the accurate mass measurement data. Additionally, in the sulfates of hydroxylated metabolites, a similar product ion corresponding to the ion of m/z 336 found in the phenolic glucuronides was observed, and was applied for identification of the sulfate metabolites.     

Gas-phase ion chemistry of Glu/Met systems.

A combined chemical ionisation and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) approach has been used for investigation of the gas-phase ion chemistry of systems containing the amino acids Glu and Met, and the dipeptides gamma-Glu-Met and Met-Glu. The metastable fragmentation of the protonated dimer, (Glu)2H(+), reveals an intracluster reaction leading to the elimination of the Glu residue. The main features of the ion-molecule reactions observed in the systems containing Glu and Glu + Met can be described in terms of sequential adduct formation. The results obtained for the thermal dehydration of Glu were used to rationalise the formation of the proton-bound structures (Glu-H2O...H(+)...(Glu-H2O) and (Glu-H2O)3-H(+). The adduct ions, [(Glu-H2O) + H + Glu](+) and [(Glu-H2O) + H + Met](+), and further association products were also observed. The results lead to a reconsideration of the structural aspects proposed earlier for these species in the sense that they suggest that the systems correspond to a mixture of isomeric covalent and proton-bound structures. The thermal effects on the decomposition of the neutral (gamma-Glu-Met) and its protonated form, (gamma-Glu-Met)H(+), at m/z 279 were investigated, and dramatic changes in the MI spectra of the m/z 279 ion with temperature were found. A mechanistic explanation for the observed evolution of higher mass ion peaks in the mass spectra is developed.     

Analysis of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone from biological fluids as the oxime derivatives using high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A sensitive liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS) method for the simultaneous quantitative analysis of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and testosterone (T) from biological fluids has been developed. Commercially available deuterated analogues were used as internal standards. Steroids were extracted from serum or testicular fluid with hexane/ethyl acetate, evaporated to dryness, and treated with hydroxylamine to form their oxime derivatives. Upon chromatographic separation, the compounds were quantified using selected reaction monitoring (SRM). For T, the [M+H](+) ion at m/z 304 and the fragment ion at m/z 124 were used as the precursor and product ions. For DHT the ion cluster [M+H+ACN](+) at m/z 347 and the dissociated ion [M+H](+) at m/z 306 were used as the precursor and product ions, respectively. The limits of detectability on-column were in the sub-femtomole range for both compounds and the intra-day coefficient of variation (CV) for analysis from serum was less than 7% for both compounds. Given its high reproducibility, sensitivity, and relative simplicity, this assay should be of use in determining androgen levels in biospecimens, particularly in settings where sample quantity or steroid concentration are low.     

Electrospray ionization/tandem quadrupole mass spectrometric studies on phosphatidylcholines: the fragmentation processes

We applied low-energy collisionally activated dissociation (CAD) tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry to study the fragmentation pathways of the [M + H](+) and [M + Li](+) ions of phosphatidylcholine (PC), generated by electrospray ionization (ESI). It is revealed that the fragmentation pathways leading to loss of the polar head group and of the fatty acid substituents do not involve the hydrogens attached to the glycerol backbone as previously reported. The pathway for formation of the major ion of m/z 184 by loss of the polar head group from the [M + H](+) precursor of a diacyl PC involves the participation of the alpha-hydrogen of the fatty acyl substituents, whereas the H(+) participates in the loss of fatty acid moieties. The alpha-hydrogens of the fatty acid substituents also participate in the major fragmentation processes, including formation of [M + Li-R(x)CO(2)H](+) and [M + Li-59-R(x)CO(2)H](+) ions for the [M + Li](+) ions of diacyl PCs, when subjected to low-energy CAD. These fragmentation processes are deterred by substitution of the fatty acyl moieties with alkyl, alkenyl, or hydroxyl groups and consequentially, result in a distinct product-ion spectrum for various PC, including diacyl-, plasmanyl- plasmenyl-, and lyso-PC isomers. The alpha-hydrogens of the fatty acyl substituents at sn-2 are more labile than those at sn-1. This is reflected by the preferential loss of the R(1)CO(2)H over the R(2)CO(2)H observed for the [M + Li](+) ions of diacyl PCs. The spectrum features resulting from the preferential losses permit identification and assignment of the fatty acid moieties in the glycerol backbone. The new fragmentation pathways established by tandem and source CAD tandem mass spectra of various PC molecules, including deuterium-labeling analogs, were proposed. These pathways would clarify the mechanisms underlying the ion formations that lead to the structural characterization of PC molecules.     

Mass spectrometric and tandem mass spectrometric behavior of nitrocatechol glucuronides: A comparison of atmospheric pressure chemical ionization and electrospray ionization

The mass spectrometric (MS) and tandem mass spectrometric (MS/MS) behavior of six nitrocatechol-type glucuronides using atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) and electrospray ionization (ESI) was systematically studied, and the effect of operation parameters on the fragmentations are presented. The positive ion APCI- and ESI-MS spectra showed an intense protonated molecule and the respective negative ion spectra a deprotonated molecule with minimal fragmentation. The main fragment ions in the MS/MS spectra of the protonated and deprotonated molecules were [M + H - Glu]+ and [M - H - Glu]-, respectively, formed by the loss of the glucuronide moiety. The measured limits of detection indicated that ESI is a significantly more efficient ionization method than APCI in the negative and positive ion modes for the compounds studied. MS/MS was found to be less sensitive, but more reliable and simple than MS due to the absence of chemical noise.     

Regiospecific analysis of neutral ether lipids by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization/single quadrupole mass spectrometry: validation with synthetic compounds.

A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method with on-line electrospray ionization/collision-induced dissociation/mass spectrometry (ESI/CID/MS) is presented for the regiospecific analysis of synthetic reference compounds of neutral ether lipids. The reference compounds were characterized by chromatographic retention times, full mass spectra, and fragmentation patterns as an aid to clarify the regiospecificity of ether lipids from natural sources. The results clearly show that single quadrupole mass spectroscopic analysis may elucidate the regiospecific structure of neutral ether lipids. Ether lipid reference compounds were characterized by five to six major ions in the positive ion mode. The 1-O-alkyl-sn-glycerols were analyzed as the diacetoyl derivative, and showed the [M - acetoyl](+) ion as an important diagnostic ion. The diagnostic ions of directly analyzed 1-O-alkyl-2-acyl-sn-glycerols and 1-O-alkyl-3-acyl-sn-glycerols were the [M - alkyl](+), [M + H - H(2)O](+) and [M + H](+) ions. Regiospecific characterization of the fatty acid position was evident from the relative ion intensities, as the sn-2 species had relatively high [M + H](+) ion intensities compared with [M + H - H(2)O](+), whereas the reverse situation characterized the sn-3 species. Furthermore, corresponding sn-2 and sn-3 species were separated by the chromatographic system. However, loss of water was promoted as fatty acid unsaturation was raised, which may complicate interpretation of the mass spectra. The diagnostic ions of directly analyzed 1-O-alkyl-2,3-diacyl-sn-glycerols were the [M - alkyl](+), [M - sn-2-acyl](+) and [M - sn-3-acyl](+) ions. Regiospecific characterization of the fatty acid identity and position was evident from the relative ion intensities, as fragmentation of the sn-2 fatty acids was preferred to the sn-3 fatty acids; however, loss of fatty acids was also promoted by higher degrees of unsaturation. Therefore, both structural and positional effects of the fatty acids affect the spectra of the neutral ether lipids. Fragmentation patterns and optimal capillary exit voltages are suggested for each neutral ether lipid class. The present study demonstrates that reversed-phase HPLC and positive ion ESI/CID/MS provide direct and unambiguous information about the configuration and identity of molecular species in neutral 1-O-alkyl-sn-glycerol classes.     

Post-source decay matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometric study of tetracyclic 2,3-dihydro-1,5-benzothiazepines

The fragmentation behavior of six tetracyclic 2,3-dihydro-1,5-benzothiazepine derivatives cationized with protons and silver ions under post-source decay (PSD) matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) conditions is reported. The protonated adduct ions decompose into several structurally important fragment ions, including substituted cyclopropane and benzohydrothiazole cations. Elimination of Ag and H and/or AgH from the silver-cationized adduct ions of these ([M+Ag](+)) compounds was observed. It was also found that [M+Ag](+) produced silver-depleted fragment ions exclusively. Based on the PSD results a fragmentation pathway is proposed for the [M+H](+) and [M+Ag](+) precursor ions.     

Unimolecular dissociation of protonated trans-1,4-diphenyl-2-butene-1,4-dione in the gas phase: rearrangement versus simple cleavage

Fragmentation mechanisms of trans-1,4-diphenyl-2-butene-1,4-dione were studied using a variety of mass spectrometric techniques. The major fragmentation pathways occur by various rearrangements by loss of H(2)O, CO, H(2)O and CO, and CO(2). The other fragmentation pathways via simple alpha cleavages were also observed but accounted for the minor dissociation channels in both a two-dimensional (2-D) linear ion trap and a quadrupole time-of-flight (Q-TOF) mass spectrometer. The elimination of CO(2) (rather than CH(3)CHO or C(3)H(8)), which was confirmed by an exact mass measurement using the Q-TOF instrument, represented a major fragmentation pathway in the 2-D linear ion trap mass spectrometer. However, the elimination of H(2)O and CO becomes more competitive in the beam-type Q-TOF instrument. The loss of CO is observed in both the MS(2) experiment of m/z 237 and the MS(3) experiment of m/z 219 but via the different transition states. The data suggest that the olefinic double bond in protonated trans-1,4-diphenyl-2-butene-1,4-dione plays a key role in stabilizing the rearrangement transition states and increasing the bond dissociation (cleavage) energy to give favorable rearrangement fragmentation pathways.     

Liquid chromatography with dual parallel mass spectrometry and (31)P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy for analysis of sphingomyelin and dihydrosphingomyelin. I. Bovine brain and chicken egg yolk

Liquid chromatography coupled to atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) and electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry (MS), in parallel, was used for detection of bovine brain and chicken egg sphingolipids (SLs). APCI-MS mass spectra exhibited mostly ceramide-like fragment ions, [Cer-H(2)O+H](+) and [Cer-2H(2)O+H](+), whereas ESI-MS produced mostly intact protonated molecules, [M+H](+). APCI-MS/MS and MS(3) were used to differentiate between isobaric SLs. APCI-MS/MS mass spectra exhibited long-chain base related fragments, [LCB](+) and [LCB-H(2)O](+), that allowed the sphinganine backbone to be differentiated from the sphingenine backbone. Fragments formed from the fatty amide chain, [FA(long)](+) and [FA(short)](+), allowed an overall fatty acid composition to be determined. The presence of both dihydrosphingomyelin (DSM) and sphingomyelin (SM) sphingolipid classes was confirmed using (31)P NMR spectroscopy.     

Comparative study of organic dyes with time-of-flight static secondary ion mass spectrometry and related techniques

A series of cationic, zwitterionic and anionic fluorinated carbocyanine dyes, spin-coated on Si substrates, were measured with time-of-flight static secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-S-SIMS) under Ga(+) primary ion bombardment. Detailed fragmentation patterns were developed for all dyes measured. In the positive mode, the resulting spectra showed very intense signals for the precursor ions of the cationic dyes, whereas the protonated signals of the anionic dyes were hardly detected. Differences of three orders of magnitude were repeatedly observed for the secondary ion signal intensities of cationic and anionic dyes, respectively. All measured dyes yielded mass spectra containing several characteristic fragment ions. Although the secondary ion yields were still higher for the cationic than the anionic dye fragments, the difference was reduced to a factor of < or =10. This result and the fact that M(+), [M + H](+) or [M + 2H](+) are even-electron species make it very likely that the recorded fragments were not formed directly out of the (protonated) parent ions M(+), [M + H](+) or [M + 2H](+). In the negative mode, none of the recorded spectra contained molecular information. Only signals originating from some characteristic elements of the molecules (F, Cl), the anionic counter ion signal and some low-mass organic ions were detected. A comparative study was made between TOF-S-SIMS, using Ga(+) primary ions, and other mass spectrometric techniques, namely fast atom bombardment (FAB), electrospray ionization (ESI) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI). The measurements showed that MALDI, ESI and FAB all give rise to spectra containing molecular ion signals. ESI and FAB produced M(+) and [M + H](+) signals, originating from the cationic and zwitterionic dyes, in the positive mode and M(-) and [M - H](-) signals of the anionic and zwitterionic dyes in the negative mode. With MALDI, molecular ion signals were measured in both modes for all the dyes. Structural fragment ions were detected for FAB, ESI and MALDI in both the positive and negative modes. Compared with the other techniques, TOF-S-SIMS induced a higher degree of fragmentation.