Analysis of cyclic boronated and trimethylsilylated phenolalkylamines by gas chromatography and electron impact mass spectrometry

The side chain of phenolalkylamines containing a bifunctional group was derivatized as the cyclic boronate, and then the residual phenolic group was trimethylsilylated. The resulting derivatives were single reaction products in each case, with good gas chromatographic properties and informative mass spectra to afford prominent molecular ions by gas chromatography with electron impact mass spectrometry (GC/EI-MS). The cyclic boronated-trimethylsilylated derivatives yielded the isotope pattern for boron ((10)B:(11)B =-1:4.2) and characteristic ions [M](+), [M - H](+), [M - CH(3)](+), [M - RBO](+), [M - TMSO](+), and [M - TMSO - C(6)H(5)](+) ions in the mass spectra. In order to distinguish between m- and p-phenolalkylamines, the mass spectra of the cyclic phenylboronated-trimethylsilylated (PBA-TMS) derivatives were compared with those of the trimethylsilylated (TMS) derivatives. The TMS derivatives of octopamine (p-) and norfenefrine (m-) showed identical mass spectra, while the PBA-TMS derivatives had mass spectra sufficiently different from one other to distinguish between the isomers. The most prominent ion of the PBA-TMS derivative is the [M - H](+) ion (m/z 310) for octopamine and the [M](+) ion (m/z 311) for norfenefrine. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

TOF-SIMS study of cystine and cholesterol stones

Two different human stones, cystine and cholesterol from the kidney and gall bladder, were examined by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry using Ga(+) primary ions as bombarding particles. The mass spectra of kidney stone were compared with those measured for the standard compounds, cystine and cysteine. Similar spectra were obtained for the stone and cystine. The most important identification was based on the existence of the protonated molecules [M + H](+) and deprotonated molecules [M-H](-). The presence of cystine salt was also revealed in the stone through the sodiated cystine [M + Na](+) and the associated fragments, which might be due to the patient treatment history. In the gallstone, the deprotonated molecules [M-H](+) of cholesterol along with relatively intense characteristic fragments [M-OH](+) were detected.     

Electrospray ionization multiple-stage tandem mass spectrometric analysis of diglycosyldiacylglycerol glycolipids from the bacteria Bacillus pumilus

Electrospray ionization (ESI) combined with multiple-stage tandem mass spectrometry (MS(n)) was used to directly analyze the glycolipid mixture from bacteria Bacillus pumilus without preliminary separation. Full scan ESI-MS revealed the composition of picomole quantities of glycerolglycolipid species containing C(14)-C(19) fatty acids, some of which were monounsaturated. Two main components were identified from their molecular masses and fragmentation pathways. The fragmentation pathway of the known compound compared with the investigated compound verified the proposed structure as 1(3)-acyl-2-pentadecanoyl-3(1)-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-sn-glycerols. A comparison of the multiple tandem mass spectra of the different alkali-metal cation adducts indicates that the intensity of fragments and the dissociation pathways are dependent on the alkali-metal type. The basic structures of glycerolglycolipids were reflected clearly from the fragmentation patterns of the sodium cations. The intense fragments of the sugar residue from the precursor ions were obtained from the lithiated adduct ions. ESI-MS(n) spectra of [M + K](+) ions did not provide as much fragmentation as [M + Na](+) and [M + Li](+) adducts, but their spectra allow the position of glycerol acylation to be determined. On the basis of MS(2) spectra of [M + K](+) ions, it was established that all components have a C(15:0) fatty acid at the sn-2 position of the glycerol backbone and C(14)-C(19) acids at the sn-1 position of the glycerol backbone. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Detection of melamine in infant formula and grain powder by surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry

We have developed a method for the determination of melamine (MEL), ammeline (AMN), and ammelide (AMD) by surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (SALDI-MS) using gold nanoparticles (Au NPs). The major peaks for MEL, AMN, and AMD at m/z 127.07, 128.05, and 129.04 are assigned to the [MEL + H](+), [AMN + H](+), and [AMD + H](+) ions. Because the three tested compounds adsorb weakly onto the surfaces of the Au NPs through Au-N bonding, they can be easily concentrated from complex samples by applying a simple trapping/centrifugation process. The SALDI-MS method provides limits of detection of 5, 10, and 300 nM for MEL, AMN, and AMD, respectively, at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. The signal variation for 150-shot average spectra of the three analytes within the same spot was 15%, and the batch-to-batch variation was 20%. We have validated the practicality of this approach by the analysis of these three analytes in infant formula and grain powder. This simple and rapid SALDI-MS approach holds great potential for screening of MEL in foods.     

Dereplication of known pregnane glycosides and structural characterization of novel pregnanes in Marsdenia tenacissima by high-performance liquid chromatography and electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry

In the search for novel natural products in plants, particularly those with potential bioactivity, it is important to efficiently distinguish novel compounds from previously isolated, known compounds, a process known as dereplication. In this study, electrospray ionization-multiple stage tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS(n)) was used to study the behaviour of 12 pregnane glycosides and genins previously isolated from Marsdenia tenacissima, a traditional Chinese medicinal plant, as a basis for dereplication of compounds in a plant extract. In addition to [M + Na](+) and [M + NH(4)](+) ions, a characteristic [M-glycosyl + H](+) ion was observed in full-scan mode with in-source fragmentation. Sequential in-trap collision-induced dissociation of [M + Na](+) ions from 11,12-diesters revealed consistent preferred losses of substituents first from C-12, then from C-11, followed by losses of monosaccharide fragments from the C-3 tri- and tetrasaccharide substituents. A crude methanol extract of M. tenacissima stems was analysed using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to ESI-MS. Several previously isolated pregnane glycosides were dereplicated, and the presence of an additional nine novel pregnane glycosides is predicted on the basis of the primary and fragment ions observed, including two with a previously unreported C(4)H(7)O C-11/C-12 substituent of pregnane glycosides. This study is the first report of prediction of the structures of novel pregnane glycosides in a crude plant extract by a combination of in-source fragmentation and in-trap collision-induced dissociation and supports the usefulness of LC-ESI-MS(n) not only for dereplication of active compounds in extracts of medicinal plants but also for detecting the presence of novel related compounds.     

Magnesium chloride: an efficient 13C NMR relaxation agent for amino acids and some carboxylic acids

A series of amino acids and carboxylic acids were determined by 13C NMR spectroscopy. The results showed that addition of 3 M MgCl(2), led to shortening of relaxation time and 13C NMR integral area of samples was well proportional to the number of carbon atoms with reliability more than 95%. So MgCl(2) is proposed as an efficient relaxation agent for analysis of amino acids and some carboxylic acids.     

Intramolecular proton transfers in stereoisomeric gas-phase ions and the kinetic nature of the protonation process upon chemical ionization

The isobutane chemical ionization (CI) mass spectra of cis- and trans-1-butyl-3- and -4-dimethylaminocyclohexanols and of their methyl ethers exhibit abundant [MH - H(2)O](+) and [MH - MeOH](+) ions respectively. On the other hand, only the MH(+) ions of the cis-isomers exhibit significant [MH - H(2)O](+) and [MH - MeOH](+) ions under collision-induced dissociation (CID) conditions. The non-occurrence of water and methanol elimination in the CID spectra of the trans-isomers indicates retention of the external proton at the dimethylamino group in the MH(+) ions that survive after leaving the ion source and the first quadrupole of the triple-stage quadrupole ion separating system, and the trans-orientation of the two basic sites does not allow proton transfer from the dimethylamino group to the hydroxyl or methoxyl. Such transfer is allowed in the cis-amino alcohols and amino ethers via internal hydrogen-bonded (proton-bridged) structures, resulting in the elimination of water and methanol from the surviving MH(+) ions of these particular stereoisomers upon CID. The abundant [MH - ROH](+) ions in the isobutane-CI mass spectra of the trans-isomers indicates protonation at both basic sites, affording two isomeric MH(+) ions in each case, one protonated at the dimethylamino group and the other at the less basic oxygen function. These results show that the isobutane-CI protonation of the amino ethers and amino alcohols is a kinetically controlled process, occurring competitively at both basic sites of the molecules, despite the large difference between their proton affinities ( approximately 25 and approximately 35 kcal mol(-1); 1 kcal = 4.184 kJ). Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Differentiation of aminomethyl corrole isomers by mass spectrometry

Two new isomeric aminomethyl corrole derivatives of [5,10,15-tris(pentafluorophenyl)corrolato]gallium(III) were synthesized with pyridine (py) molecules as axial ligands. When investigated by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, in the positive and the negative ion modes, these compounds showed an unusual gas-phase behavior that could be used for their differentiation. In the positive ion mode, the differentiation was achieved through the formation of diagnostic fragment ions formed from [M-py?+?H](+) precursors, by (CH(3) )(2) NH and HF losses. An unusual addition of water to the main fragment ions provides an alternative route for isomer identification. Semi-empirical calculations were performed to elucidate the structures and stabilities of the main ionic species formed in the positive ion mode. In the negative ion mode isomer discrimination is accomplished via the fragmentation of the methoxide adduct ions [M-py?+?CH(3) O](-) through (CH(3) )(2) N(.) and HF losses.     

Analysis of sonolytic degradation products of azo dye Orange G using liquid chromatography-diode array detection-mass spectrometry

In this paper, seven new sonolytic degradation products of Orange G were found and identified using powerful analytical techniques such as liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS), tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), and liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (LC-DAD). Each technique provided complementary information for the degradation products identification. In order to resolve the MS and MS/MS spectra obtained, the separation conditions were optimized. Among them, Orange G was unambiguously identified based on its abundant [M-H](-) ion, [M+H](+) ion, ultra-violet and visible spectra, retention time, and tandem mass spectrometric analysis compared with an authentic standard. The seven new degradation products were tentatively identified based on ultra-violet and visible spectra, [M-H](-) ions, and tandem mass spectrometry. The neutral losses of SO(2), SO(3), N(2) and H(2)O for MS/MS spectra which appear to be characteristic of the negative ion mode were observed. Based on this by-product identification, a possible multi-step degradation scheme is proposed. The analysis results of degradation products reveal that the degradation mechanism proceeds via reductive cleavage of the azo linkage, as well as intermolecular dehydration and desulfonation due to the powerful oxidizing hydroxyl radicals as well as hydrogen radical.     

Charge and substituent effects on the stability of porphyrin/G-quadruplex adducts

The adduct ions of two tetramolecular G-quadruplexes formed from the d(TGGGGT) and d(TTGGGGGT) single strands with a group of cationic porphyrins, with different charges and substituents, and one neutral porphyrin, were investigated by ESI-MS and ESI-MS/MS in the negative ion mode. Formation of [Q + nNH(4)(+)+P(p+)-(z + n + p)H(+)](z-) adduct ions (where Q = quadruplex, n = number of quartets minus 1, P = porphyrin and p(+) = 0,1,2,3,4) indicates that the porphyrins are bound outside the quadruplexes providing an additional stabilization to those structures. The fragmentation pathways of the [Q + nNH(4)(+)+P(p+)-(z + n + p)H(+)](z-) adduct ions depend on the number of positive charges (p(+)) of the porphyrins and on the overall complex charge (z(-)), but do not show a significant dependence on the type of the substituent groups in the porphyrins. Formation of the 'unfilled' ions [Q + P(p+)-(z + p)H(+)](z-) predominates for porphyrins with a higher number of positive charges. Strand separation with the formation of [T + P(p+)-(z-2 + p)H(+)]((z-2)-) and (SS-2H(+))(2-) ions, where T = [d(TG(4)T)](3) and [d(T(2)G(5)T)](3) and SS = d(TG(4)T) and d(T(2)G(5)T) is only observed for the complexes with a higher overall negative charge. Porphyrin loss with the formation of [Q + nNH(4)(+)-(z + n)H(+)](z-) ions occurs predominantly for the neutral and monocharged porphyrins. The predominant formation of the 'unfilled' ions, [Q + P(p+)-(z + n)H(+)](z-), for porphyrins with a higher number of charges shows that these porphyrins can prevent strand separation and preserve, at least partially, the quadruplex structure.     

Cyclochiral resorcin[4]arenes as effective enantioselectors in the gas phase

The effect of cyclochirality of rccc-2,8,14,20-tetra-n-decyl-4,10,16,22-tetra-O-methylresorcin[4]arene (C) on the enantiodiscrimination of a number of chiral bidentate and tridentate aromatic and aliphatic biomolecules (G) has been investigated by nano-electrospray ionization (nano-ESI)-Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. The experimental approach is based on the formation of diastereomeric proton-bound [C·H·G](+) complexes by nano-ESI of solutions containing an equimolar amount of quasi-enantiomers (C) together with the chiral guest (G) and the subsequent measurement of the rate of the G substitution by the attack of several achiral and chiral amines. In general, the heterochiral complexes react faster than the homochiral ones, except when G is an aminoalcoholic neurotransmitter whose complexes, beyond that, exhibit the highest enantioselectivity. The kinetic results were further supported by both collision-induced dissociation experiments on some of the relevant [C(2) ·H·G](+) three-body species and Density functional theory (DFT) calculations performed on the most selective systems.     

The ESI CAD fragmentations of protonated 2,4,6-tris(benzylamino)- and tris(benzyloxy)-1,3,5-triazines involve benzyl-benzyl interactions: a DFT study

The electrospray ionization collisionally activated dissociation (CAD) mass spectra of protonated 2,4,6-tris(benzylamino)-1,3,5-triazine (1) and 2,4,6-tris(benzyloxy)-1,3,5-triazine (6) show abundant product ion of m/z 181 (C(14) H(13)(+)). The likely structure for C(14) H(13)(+) is α-[2-methylphenyl]benzyl cation, indicating that one of the benzyl groups must migrate to another prior to dissociation of the protonated molecule. The collision energy is high for the 'N' analog (1) but low for the 'O' analog (6) indicating that the fragmentation processes of 1 requires high energy. The other major fragmentations are [M?+?H-toluene](+) and [M?+?H-benzene](+) for compounds 1 and 6, respectively. The protonated 2,4,6-tris(4-methylbenzylamino)-1,3,5-triazine (4) exhibits competitive eliminations of p-xylene and 3,6-dimethylenecyclohexa-1,4-diene. Moreover, protonated 2,4,6-tris(1-phenylethylamino)-1,3,5-triazine (5) dissociates via three successive losses of styrene. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate that an ion/neutral complex (INC) between benzyl cation and the rest of the molecule is unstable, but the protonated molecules of 1 and 6 rearrange to an intermediate by the migration of a benzyl group to the ring 'N'. Subsequent shift of a second benzyl group generates an INC for the protonated molecule of 1 and its product ions can be explained from this intermediate. The shift of a second benzyl group to the ring carbon of the first benzyl group followed by an H-shift from ring carbon to 'O' generates the key intermediate for the formation of the ion of m/z 181 from the protonated molecule of 6. The proposed mechanisms are supported by high resolution mass spectrometry data, deuterium-labeling and CAD experiments combined with DFT calculations.     

Mass spectral study of substituted allyl aryl and allyl alkyl selenides and some analogous sulfides

The electron impact (EI) mass spectra of allyl aryl selenides showed abundant molecular ions and many fragment ions containing the selenium atom. alpha-Cleavage is the dominant process in the fragmentation of selenides, and cleavage product ions are characteristic of the substituents. In the case of 3-methyl allyl and related aryl selenides, characteristic delta-hydrogen migration to the selenium atom is observed. A McLafferty-type rearrangement is found in benzyl allyl selenides and substituted alkyl allyl selenides. The charge on the rearrangement products preferably remains on the fragments containing the phenyl group. The [M - SeH](+), [M - CH(3)](+) and [M - C(2)H(4)](+) ions are found only in the EI mass spectrum of allyl phenyl selenide, and are attributed to a Claisen rearrangement in the source of the mass spectrometer. All structurally informative fragmentation processes are supported by collision induced dissociation spectra of molecular ions. The fragmentation patterns found in methane chemical ionization (CI) spectra of the selenides were significantly different from those observed in EI. The EI and CI mass spectra of analogous sulfides showed similar behaviour to that observed in the corresponding selenides. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Laser Desorption Mass Spectrometry of Some Organic Acids

Abstract

Positive and negative ion laser desorption (LD) mass spectra of organic acids are characterized by the emission of the quasimolecular ions (M+H)⁺ and (M-H)^?. Generation of (M+H)⁺ ions is interpreted as evidence for the occurence of high pressure proton transfer reactions in LD. Fragment ions can be rationalized by loss of stable neutral molecules from quasimolecular ions although decomposition may also be occuring prior to ionization. Features unique to LD, including the detection of pyrolysis products along with ions characteristic of the sample, are discussed in terms of the internal energy distribution in the irradiated microvolume. Negative ion mass spectra of acids are dominated by (M-H)^?, while positive ion spectra contain abundant fragment ions, underlining the utility of detecting negative ions for acidic compounds.     

环丙烷衍生物在D2O离子体系中的H/D交换反应

在Ｄ２Ｏ化学反应气条件下环丙烷衍生物的Ｈ／Ｄ交换反应特性,发现了三种新的产物离子（Ｍ＋１）＾＋、（Ｍ＋２）＾＋和（Ｍ＋３）＾＋。应用碰撞诱导碎裂（ＣＩＤ）技术研究了这些离子的碎裂反应特性。实验结果表明三种新的产物离子是由反应物与试剂离子间发生Ｈ／Ｄ交换反应生成的。并获得了环丙烷衍生物结构中活泼氢位置及其数量的信息。     

Electronic structure of amino acids and ureas

The outer electronic levels of glycine, alanine, glycine ethyl ester, urea, and thiourea have been investigated by means of photoelectron spectroscopy using He I (584 Å) and He II (304 Å) radiation and CNDO/2 molecular orbital calculations. In the amino acids the molecular orbital (MO) ordering ha been found to be [σ core and carbonyl π > a″(O) a′(O) > a″(N)] with a first ionization potential of ～8.8 eV. Glycine and alanine are foun to exist as the undissociated amino carboxylic acids rather than zwitterions in the high temperature vapor. In urea the three lowest energy molecular o are near-degenerate [σ(4b₁) ～ π(1a₂) ～ π(2b₂)] while in thiourea only the two lowest energy MO's are near-degenerate [π(1a₂ σ(4b₁) ～ π(2b₂)]. The first ionization potentials of urea and thiourea are 9.7 and 7.9 eV respectively.     

Structural elucidation of diglycosyl diacylglycerol and monoglycosyl diacylglycerol from Streptococcus pneumoniae by multiple-stage linear ion-trap mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization

The cell wall of the pathogenic bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae contains glucopyranosyl diacylglycerol (GlcDAG) and galactoglucopyranosyldiacylglycerol (GalGlcDAG). The specific GlcDAG consisting of vaccenic acid substituent at sn-2 was recently identified as another glycolipid antigen family recognized by invariant natural killer T-cells. Here, we describe a linear ion-trap multiple-stage (MS(n) ) mass spectrometric approach towards structural analysis of GalGlcDAG and GlcDAG. Structural information derived from MS(n) (n?=?2, 3) on the [M?+?Li](+) adduct ions desorbed by electrospray ionization affords identification of the fatty acid substituents, assignment of the fatty acyl groups on the glycerol backbone, as well as the location of double bond along the fatty acyl chain. The identification of the fatty acyl groups and determination of their regio-specificity were confirmed by MS(n) (n?=?2, 3) on the [M?+?NH(4) ](+) ions. We establish the structures of GalGlcDAG and GlcDAG isolated from S. pneumoniae, in which the major species consists of a 16:1- or 18:1-fatty acid substituent mainly at sn-2, and the double bond of the fatty acid is located at ω-7 (n-7). More than one isomers were found for each mass in the family. This mass spectrometric approach provides a simple method to achieve structure identification of this important lipid family that would be very difficult to define using the traditional method.     

Ion/molecule reactions provide new evidence for the structure and origin of

Ion/molecule reactions leading to formation of the diagnostically useful [C(3)H(4)N](+) ion (m/z 54), from acetonitrile CI plasma, have been studied using a tandem quadrupole mass spectrometer. Evidence is presented to demonstrate that [C(3)H(4)N](+) is produced from an ion/molecule reaction between [C(2)H(2)N](+) (m/z 40) and neutral acetonitrile, via a [C(4)H(5)N(2)](+) (m/z 81) intermediate. Loss of HCN, where the H atom arises from neutral acetonitrile and the CN group from [C(2)H(2)N](+) (m/z 40), leads to the production of [C(3)H(4)N](+) (m/z 54). These results are consistent with a proposed concerted elimination of HCN, generating m/z 54 as a methylene vinylidene ammonium ion. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cu~+、Ag~+、Au~+与乙硫醇的气相化学反应

利用激光溅射 分子束的技术 ,结合反射飞行时间质谱计 ,研究了Cu+、Ag+、Au+与乙硫醇的气相化学反应。结果显示这三种金属离子与 (CH3 CH2 SH) n 反应形成一系列团簇离子M+(CH3 CH2 SH) n,且团簇离子尺寸不一样。Ag+、Au+与乙硫醇的反应还生成了 (CH3 CH2 SH) +n ,由此推测Cu+、Ag+、Au+与乙硫醇团簇的反应存在两种通道 ,一种通道是生成M+(CH3 CH2 SH) n,另一种是生成 (CH3 CH2 SH) +n 。Cu+、Au+与乙硫醇的反应还生成了M+(H2 S) (M =Cu、Au) ,但是实验中没有观察到Ag+(H2 S) ,理论计算表明Ag+(H2 S)很不稳定。另外 ,分析产物离子M+(CH3 CH2 SH) n 的强度发现 ,n =1～ 2之间存在明显的强度突变现象     

H3O+, NO+和O+·2离子同九种烷氧基醇化合物反应的研究

在用选择离子流动管质谱(SIFT-MS)分析常用指甲油清洗垫发现大量4-丁酸内脂(γ-butyrolactone, GBL)和2-丁氧基乙醇(2-butoxy-1-ethanol)等挥发性气体后, 运用选择离子流动管(SIFT)对H3O , NO 和O ·2离子同九种烷氧基醇化合物(R1-O-R2OH)之间的反应进行了研究. 获得了这些反应在潮湿空气条件下进行的情况, 并运用产物离子水合物的种类和分布来确认产物离子的结构和反应机理. 还研究了在不同载气压力下进行的反应. 结果表明, 这些化合物同H3O 和NO 的反应都是先生成初生态离子-分子络合物, (H3O .M)*和(NO .M)*, 然后经不同反应渠道生成各种离子产物. 这些初生态络合物同反应体系中存在的气体分子(如氦气, 氮气和氧气分子)的碰撞对最终离子产物的形成和分布也有影响. 这些化合物同O2 ·反应会生成各种离解碎片离子, 但不能确定这些离子是否经由初生态络合物(O2 ·.M)*生成. 该项研究提供了用SIFT-MS在空气和潮湿气体中分析这些化合物所需的反应速率常数和离子产物等动力学数据, 并将进一步应用到药物成瘾及滥用和呼吸道疾病的诊断和分析等领域.