Ion formation in fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry: a divided probe investigation of gas-phase reactions

Some ion-formation processes during fast atom bombardment (FAB) are discussed, especially the possibility of reactions in the gas phase. Divided (two halves) FAB probe tips were used for introducing two different samples into the source at the same time. Our results showed [M + A]⁺ ions (where M = crown ethers and A = alkali metal ions), can be produced, at least in part, in the gas phase when crown ethers and sources of alkali metal ion are placed on two halves of the FAB probe tip. The extent of this ion formation depends on the volatility of the crown ether and on steric factors. Cluster ions such as (M + LiCl)Li⁺, (2M + LiCl)Li⁺, [2M + K]⁺ and [2M + Na]⁺ are also observed to form in the gas phase. Unimolecular decompositions contribute to some ions detected in FAB. When the alkali ion salt and the crown ether are mixed together the probability of [M + A]⁺ ion formation increases significantly, regardless of the volatility of the crown ether.     

Determination of orders of relative alkali metal ion affinities of crown ethers and acyclic analogs by the kinetic method

Ladders of relative alkali ion affinities of crown ethers and acyclic analogs were constructed by using the kinetic method. The adducts consisting of two different ethers bound by an alkali metal ion, (M₁ + Cat + M₂)⁺, were formed by using fast atom bombardment ionization to desorb the crown ethers and alkali metal ions, then collisionally activated to induce dissociation to (M₁ + Cat)⁺ and (M₂ + Cat)⁺ ions. Based on the relative abundances of the cationized ethers formed, orders of relative alkali ion affinities were assigned. The crown ethers showed higher affinities for specific sizes of metal ions, and this was attributed in part to the optimal spatial fit concept. Size selectivities were more pronounced for the smaller alkali metal ions such as Li⁺, Na⁺, and K⁺ than the larger ions such as Cs⁺ and Rb⁺. In general, the cyclic ethers exhibited greater alkali metal ion affinities than the corresponding acyclic analogs, although these effects were less dramatic as the size of the alkali metal ion increased.     

Fragmentation of ion–molecule adducts of transition metal ions with aromatic ring-containing nitriles in the gas phase

Gas-phase ion–molecule reactions of transition metal ions, M⁺ (M⁺ = Ni⁺, Co⁺, Fe⁺ and Mn⁺), with six aromatic ring-containing nitriles were investigated in a modified fast atom bombardment (FAB) source. It is shown that the monoadduct, (Ph(CH₂)_nCN)–M⁺, is one of the most abundant ion–molecule reaction products. The main fragments in the FAB source are the [C₇H₇]⁺ and [C₈H₉]⁺ ions, and their formation is shown to involve metal ion insertion into the nitriles rather than direct bond cleavage from the ‘free’ or complexed nitriles after FAB ionization. An intramolecular oxidation–reduction reaction, giving [C₇H₇]⁺, is found in the metastable and collisionally induced dissociations of benzyl nitrile adducts accompanied by neutral MCN formation, but not seen for longer chain samples. An ortho effect is observed in the elimination of HCN from the 2-methylbenzyl nitrile adduct ions. This reaction dominates the metastable ion spectrum of the adduct of Mn⁺, whereas metal detachment is nearly the major process for the other complexes of Mn⁺. The different bond-insertion selectivities of the metal ions are also shown.     

Applications of Macrocyclic Polyethers in Analytical Sensors and Ion Separation

Artificial macrocyclic polyethers were synthesized and applied as neutral carriers for ion-selective PVC membrane electrodes, ion-chromatographic packing materials, extractants and adsorbents for ion separation, coating materials for piezoeletrical membrane sensors for organic species, and ion-transport carriers through liquid membranes. Ion-selective electrodes such as those for K⁺ Na⁺, UO₂²⁺, Cs⁺, Pb²⁺, Fe³⁺, Hg²⁺ and Ag⁺ ions based on crown ether-phosphotungstic acid (PW) precipitates and dithio crown ethers respectively were prepared and showed good sensitivity and selectivity. Crown ether-PW precipitates were applied as adsorbents of rare-earth ions and some common heavy-metal ions. Some rare-earth ions were easily extracted with crown ethers, especially 15-crown-5. Poly(stytene/divinyl benzene) cryptand-22 resin was synthesized and applied as a bifunctional stationary phase of ion chromatography to separate bom cations and anions, even some organic carboxylate geometric isomers. Crown ethers such as mono-benzo-15-crown-5 was successfully applied as a coating material on piezoelectric quartz membrane sensors for some organic species. The oscillation frequency of the crown-ether quartz-membrane sensor was sensitive to organic vapours such as amines and alcohols. Upon adsorption of organic species on the crown-ether quartz membrane, the oscillation frequency of the sensor decreased obviously. Special crown ether such as dibenzo-16-crown-5-oxyacetic acid, decyl-cryptand-22 and 1, 4-dihydro-pyridine-18-crown-5 were synthesized and successfully applied as ion-transport carriers (ionophores) for transport of Na⁺ K⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions through liquid membranes.     

A study of metal chelation of dinucleotide analogs in the gas phase by fast-atom bombardment mass spectrometry

Fast-atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectrometry was used to investigate the interaction of proton and alkali metal ions with dinucleotide analogs such as T-n-T (T = thymine moiety, n = polyether chain, e.g., triethylene, tetraethylene, pentaethylene, and hexaethylene ether 1–4), A-n-T (A = adenine unit 5–8), and T-n-OMe (9–12) in 3-nitrobenzyl alcohol matrix. The [M + H]⁺ ion is the most abundant ion for the A-n-T series, whereas in 1–4 and 9–12 the (TC₂H₄)⁺ ion is the most abundant. Formation of [M + H -C₂H₄O]⁺ ions, a characteristic fragmentation of crown ethers under electron ionization, is observed for compounds 1–12 and is more pronounced in 6 and 7. An abundant [M ? H]^? ion is observed for all the compounds studied under negative ion FAB due to the presence of the (-CO-NH-CO-) group of thymine, an indication of existence of intramolecular H bonding. The FAB mass spectra of 1–12 with alkali metal ions (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, and Cs⁺) showed formation of abundant metal-coordinated ions ([M + Met]⁺ and [TC₂H₄ + Met]⁺). Compounds 3, 4, 6, 7, and 10–12 showed ions due to the substitution of the thymine moiety by a hydroxyl group ([M + Met ? 108]⁺, Met = metal ion). For compound 3 alone, substitution of two thymine groups ([M + Met - 216]⁺) was observed. Metastable ion studies were used to elucidate the structures of these potentially significant ions, and the ion formule were confirmed with high resolution measurements. Selectivity toward metal complexation with ligand size was seen in the T-n-T and A-n-T series and was even more pronounced in A-n-T series. These dinucleotide analogs fall in the following order of chelation of alkali metal ions, acyclic glymes < dinucleotide analogs (acyclic glymes substituted with nitrogen bases) < crown ethers, which places them in perspective as receptor models.     

Effects of Alkali Metal Ion Cationization on Fragmentation Pathways of Triazole-Epothilone

The collisionally activated dissociation mass spectra of the protonated and alkali metal cationized ions of a triazole-epothilone analogue were studied in a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer. The fragmentation pathway of the protonated ion was characterized by the loss of the unit of C₃H₄O₃. However, another fragmentation pathway with the loss of C₃H₂O₂ was identified for the complex ions with Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, and Cs⁺. The branching ratio of the second pathway increases with the increment of the size of alkali metal ions. Theoretical calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) method show the difference in the binding position of the proton and the metal ions. With the increase of the radii of the metal ions, progressive changes in the macrocycle of the compound are induced, which cause the corresponding change in their fragmentation pathways. It has also been found that the interaction energy between the compound and the metal ion decreases with increase in the size of the latter. This is consistent with the experimental results, which show that cesiated complexes readily eject Cs⁺ when subject to collisions.     

Properties and Applications of Cryptand‐22 Surfactant for Ion Transport and Ion Extraction

A non‐ionic cryptand‐22 surfactant consisting of a macrocyclic cryptand‐22 polar head and a long paraffinic chain (C₁₀H₂₁‐Cryptand‐22) was synthesized and characterized. The critical micellar concentration (CMC) of the cryptand surfactant in ROH/H₂O mixed solvent was determined by the pyrene fluorescence probe method. In general, the cmc of the cryptand surfactant increased upon decreasing the polarity of the surfactant solution. The cryptand surfactant also can behave as a pseudo cationic surfactant by protonation of cryptand‐22 or complexation with metal ions. Effects of protonation and metal ions on the cmc of the cryptand surfactant were investigated. A preliminary application of the cryptand surfactant as an ion‐transport carrier for metal ions, e.g., Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺ and Sr²⁺, through an organic liquid‐membrane was studied. The transport ability of the cryptand surfactant for these metal ions was in the order: K⁺ ≥ Na⁺ < Li⁺ < Sr²⁺. A comparison of the ion‐transport ability of the cryptand surfactant with other macrocyclic polyethers, e.g., dibenzo‐18‐crown‐6, 18‐crown‐6 and benzo‐15‐crown‐5, was studied and discussed. Among these macrocyclic polyethers, the cryptand surfactant was the best ion‐transport carrier for Na⁺, Li⁺ and Sr²⁺ ions. Furthermore, a foam extraction system using the cryptand surfactant to extract the cupric ion was also investigated.     

Ion–molecule reactions between organometallic ions and crown ethers in the gas phase

Ion–molecule reactions of the metal-containing ions LM⁺ (L = (acac)₂, acac, C₆H₆, C₅H₅; M = In, Ga, Co, Fe, Ni, Cr, Mn, Pd, Rh, Tl, La, Pr, Yb, Nd) with crown ethers in the gas phase were studied. Two major reactions were observed: adduct formation and substitution of a metal atom ligand by a crown ether. The relative abundances of the two reactions depends on the ease with which the metal atom may be reduced. Ligand substitution can involve hydrogen rearrangements with loss of acetylacetone or cyclopentadiene for crown ethers having mobile H atom(s). The use of ion–molecule reactions in the structural characterization of crown ethers and transition metalcontaining ions is discussed.     

A fast atom bombardment mass spectrometric analysis of crown ether complexes [1]

Analyses of crown ether complexes of alkali metal ions and characterization of the complexes formed inm-nitrobenzyl alcohol have been carried out by fast atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectrometry. By using m-nitrobenzyl alcohol as a matrix for measurements, the stoichiometry of the complexes was assessed on the basis of the observed FAB peaks. In addition, the formation of crown ether-alkali metal complexes at a 2 : 1 molar ratio was enhanced by increasing the ionic radius of the metal ion in agreement with previous observations. On these grounds, FAB mass spectrometry may provide a rapid means for investigation of the complexation behavior of crown ethers and the stoichiometry of the complexes.     

Structural and Chemical Features of Extraction with Crown Ethers

Unlike linear extracting agents, in the extraction of metal salts from aqueous solutions of inorganic acids with crown ethers, the inclusion compounds, whose composition depends on several external and internal factors, go to the organic phase. The study of the molecular structure of the formed complexes by X-ray diffraction analysis showed that adducts of crown ethers with inorganic acids are host–guest complexes in which the hydroxonium ion is in the polyether macrocycle cavity. When the aqueous phase contains metal ions capable of displacing the hydroxonium ions from the macrocycle (K⁺, Pb²⁺, Hg²⁺, Sr²⁺, NH₄ ⁺), complexes containing metal cations as the guest in the macrocycle cavity, according to X-ray diffraction data, go to the organic phase. In addition, metals forming ionic associates (AuCl₄ ^-, FeCl₄ ^-, GaCl₄ ^-) in an aqueous solution are extracted with crown ethers in accordance with the anion-exchange mechanism. A system in which traces of metals in the 2 M HNO₃ +5 M HCl mixture serve as the aqueous phase was proposed for estimation of the general extraction ability of crown ethers. Such a system can be used for metal extraction via any possible mechanism. The stereochemical peculiarities of the extraction ability of crown ethers (compared to linear molecules) can be used for selective extraction and separation of metals.     

Competitive Potentiometric Study of a Series of 18-crown-6 with Some Alkali and Alkaline Earth Metal Ions in Methanol Using an Ag+/Ag Electrode

The complexation of some alkali and alkaline earth cations with18-crown-6(18C6), dibenzo-18-crown-6 (DB18C6), dicyclohexyl-18-crown-6 (DCY18C6), and dibenzopyridino-18-crown-6 (DBPY18C6) in a methanol solution has been studied by a competitive potentiometric titration using Ag⁺/Ag electrode as a probe. The stoichiometry and stability constants of the resulting complexes have been evaluated by the MINIQUAD program. The stoichiometry for all resulting complexes was 1:1. The order of stability of Ag⁺ complexes with desired crown ethers varied as DBPY18C6 > DCY18C6 > 18C6 > DB18C6.The stability of the resulting complexes for each of these crown ethers varies in the order ofK⁺ > Na⁺ and Ba²⁺ > Sr²⁺ > Ca²⁺ > Mg²⁺.For each of the used metal ions the major sequence of the stability constants of the resulting complexes varies as DCY18C6 > 18C6 > DB18C6 > DBPY18C6 with minor exceptions.     

Extraktion von alkali- und erdalkalimetallionen mit (sym-dibenzo-14-krone-4-oxy)- und (sym-dibenzo-16-krone-5-oxy)-carbonsäuren

(Extraction of alkali on alkaline earth metal ions with (sym-dibenzo-14-crown-4-oxy)- and (sym-dibenzo-16-crown-5-oxy)-carboxylic acids.)The extraction of lithium, sodium, potassium, calcium and some other metal ions with dibenzo-4-crown-4-oxy- and dibenzo-16-crown-5-oxycarboxylic acids containing the groups -CH₂COOH, -(CH₂)₂COOH, -(CH₂)₃COOH, -CH(C₂H₅)COOH and -CH(C₄H₉)COOH was studied. The extraction increases as a function of the lipophilic character of the carboxylic acid group. Calcium, barium and strontium ions are better extracted than Li⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺; there are only small differences among the alkaline earth metal ions. Evaluated from the extraction data, the composition of the extracted species was 1:1 (metal/ligand) for Li⁺, and 1:2 for CaCa²⁺; Na⁺ and K⁺ favour the formation of 1:2 complexes with dibenzo-14-crown-4-derivatives bbut 1:1 complexes with dibenzo-16-crown-5-oxy-carboxylic acids. The dependence of the distribution ratio on pH does not provide unequivocal evidence for the composition of the extracted compounds.     

Structures and energetics of complexation of metal ions with ammonia,water, and benzene: A computational study

Quantum chemical calculations have been performed at CCSD(T)/def2‐TZVP level to investigate the strength and nature of interactions of ammonia (NH₃), water (H₂O), and benzene (C₆H₆) with various metal ions and validated with the available experimental results. For all the considered metal ions, a preference for C₆H₆ is observed for dicationic ions whereas the monocationic ions prefer to bind with NH₃. Density Functional Theory–Symmetry Adapted Perturbation Theory (DFT‐SAPT) analysis has been employed at PBE0AC/def2‐TZVP level on these complexes (closed shell), to understand the various energy terms contributing to binding energy (BE). The DFT‐SAPT result shows that for the metal ion complexes with H₂O electrostatic component is the major contributor to the BE whereas, for C₆H₆ complexes polarization component is dominant, except in the case of alkali metal ion complexes. However, in case of NH₃ complexes, electrostatic component is dominant for s‐block metal ions, whereas, for the d and p‐block metal ion complexes both electrostatic and polarization components are important. The geometry (M⁺–N and M⁺–O distance for NH₃ and H₂O complexes respectively, and cation–π distance for C₆H₆ complexes) for the alkali and alkaline earth metal ion complexes increases down the group. Natural population analysis performed on NH₃, H₂O, and C₆H₆ complexes shows that the charge transfer to metal ions is higher in case of C₆H₆ complexes. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Mechanism of Metal Ion Catalysis in the dissociation of cis-diaquobisoxalatochromate(III) ion

The metal ion (M²⁺) catalysed dissociation of cis-diaquobisoxalatochromate into the tetraaquomonooxalato complex in aqueous perchloric acid medium which follows the rate law — d(complex)/dt = {k_H[H⁺] + k_M[M²⁺]}[complex] has been studied. Based on k_M values the order of catalysing effect of the different metal ions studied is Cu²⁺ > Ni²⁺ > Co²⁺ > Mn²⁺, which is also the order of stabilities (K_MOx) of the monooxalato complexes of these metal ions; in fact the plot of log k_M vs. log K_MOx is linear. This together with the relative values of ΔH^≠ and ΔS^≠ for the H⁺ catalysed and M²⁺ catalysed paths is in agreement with a mechanism involving chelation of the catalysing cation through the free carbonyl oxygens of the oxalate ligand bound to Cr(III), followed by the dissociation of the Cr(III)? O bonds with simultaneous entry of two water molecules into the coordination sphere of Cr(III).     

Synthesis and Complexing Properties of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N,N</Emphasis>′-Bis(2-hydroxyethyl) Diaza Crown Ethers

The stability constants of complexes of 12-, 15-, and 18-membered diaza crown ethers, N,N′-dimethyl diaza crown ethers, and N,N′-bis(2-hydroxyethyl) diaza crown ethers with alkali and alkaline-earth metal ions in 95% aqueous methanol at 25°C were determined. The stability of the complexes of unsubstituted diaza crown ethers with alkali metal cations is low, probably because of stabilization of the exo,exo conformation of the ligands due to interaction of the nitrogen lone electron pairs with the solvent. The complexes with the double-charged cations are appreciably more stable. N,N′-Dimethyl diaza crown ethers form stable complexes with all the ions studied. As compared to the dimethyl derivatives, N,N′-bis(2-hydroxyethyl) diaza crown ethers form more stable complexes with the Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, and Ba²⁺ ions, which is due to participation of the side hydroxyethyl groups in the coordination.__________Translated from Zhurnal Obshchei Khimii, Vol. 75, No. 4, 2005, pp. 665–669.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Kulygina, Vetrogon, Basok, Luk’yanenko.     

The synthesis of novel crown ethers,part ix, 3‐phenyl chromenone‐crown ethers

3‐Phenyl‐ and 3‐(p‐methoxyphenyl)‐7,8‐dihydroxy and ‐6,7‐dihydroxychromenones were prepared from ethyl 3‐oxo‐2‐phenylpropanoate, ethyl 3‐oxo‐2‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐propanoate and the trihydroxy benzenes in H₂SO₄. 3‐Aryl‐7,8‐ and 3‐aryl‐6,7‐dihydroxy‐2H‐chromenones reacted with the bis‐dihalides of poly‐glycols in DMF/MeCO₃ to afford 12‐Crown‐4, 15‐Crown‐4 and 18‐Crown‐6‐chromenones. The products were identified with IR, 1H NMR, low and high resolution mass spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Some 1:1 cation association constants, K_b, of the 3‐phenyl chromenone crown ethers with Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺ and Rb⁺ cations were studied by steady state emission fluorescence spectroscopy; K_b chromenone‐crown complexes displayed crown ether‐cation binding selectivity rules properly in acetonitrile.     

Formation of M+ ions and electronic excitation under fast-atom bombardment conditions by using a liquid matrix

Japan The mechanism for the formation of molecular ions M^+· under fast-atom bombardment (FAB) conditions with a liquid matrix is discussed on the basis of the mass spectra of pyrene, coronene, and fullerene C₆₀ obtained by using electron impact, gas-phase fast-atom bombardment, and gas-phase fast-molecule bombardment techniques. The obtained results suggest that formation of the M^+· ions under FAB conditions is not due to direct collisions between analytes M and fast atoms A, but is due to collision interactions between M and recoiling matrix molecules B or matrix ions. It has been confirmed, furthermore, that the FAB conditions with a liquid matrix are sufficient in energy for formation of singly charged ions M^+· and insufficient for the formation of multiply charged ions M ^z+ (z=2, 3) of pyrene, coronene, and C₆₀.     

Effect of the species and number of heteroatom on the interaction energy and charge transfer between crown ether and alkali metal ions

Crown ether can bind the alkali metal ions, and the binding is related to numerous factors. In present work, we investigated the effect of the species and number of heteroatom on the interaction energy and charge transfer between crown ether and alkali metal ions in the three complexes (12C4O-Li⁺, 15C5O-Na⁺ and 18C6O-K⁺) using density functional method. Our results show that the N- or S-substitution is more favorable to the enhancement of charge transfer between the alkali metal ions and crown ethers than P-substitution; furthermore, the interaction energy of N- or S-substitution is also higher than that of P-substitution. The 12C4O has strongest affinity for Li⁺ in the three complexes from the perspective of the variation of the species and the number of heteroatom. Thus, take 12C4O for example, it is concluded that the number of N-substitution has slight influence on the interaction energy; however, as the number of P- or S-substitutions increases, the interaction energy values decrease sharply.     

Komplexe der Alkalimetalltetraphenylborate mit makrocyclischen Kronenethern

Complexes of the Alkali Metal Tetraphenylborates with Macrocyclic Crown Ethers Alkali metal tetraphenylborates, MB(C₆H₅)₄ (M = Li to Cs), react in tetrahydrofuran with macrocyclic crown ethers to give complexes of the general formula MB(C₆H₅)₄(crown)_m(THF)_n. Suitable single crystals for X‐ray structure analysis were grown from a solvent mixture of tetrahydrofuran and n‐hexane. The salt like complexes [Li(12‐crown‐4)(thf)][B(C₆H₅)₄] ( 1 ), [Na(15‐crown‐5)(thf)][B(C₆H₅)₄] ( 2 ), and [Cs(18‐crown‐6)₂][B(C₆H₅)₄] · THF ( 6 ), the mononuclear molecular complexes [KB(C₆H₅)₄(18‐crown‐6)(thf)] ( 3 ), [RbB(C₆H₅)₄(18‐crown‐6)] ( 4 ), and [CsB(C₆H₅)₄(18‐crown‐6)] · THF ( 5 ), and the compound [CsB(C₆H₅)₄(18‐crown‐6)]₂[Cs(18‐crown‐6)₂][B(C₆H₅)₄] ( 7 ), which contains a binuclear molecule ([CsB(C₆H₅)₄(18‐crown‐6)]₂) beside a [Cs(18‐crown‐6)₂]⁺ cation and a [B(C₆H₅)₄]^? anion, are described. All compounds are charactarized by infrared spectra, elemental analysis, NMR‐spectroscopy, and X‐ray single crystal structure analysis.     

Factors Influence Complexing Selectivity of Lariat Crown Ethers Toward Alkali Metal Ions in Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

The selectivity of eight lariat crown ethers in the sym‐dibenzo‐16‐crown‐5 series toward alkali metal ions was studied with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry under different conditions. With the exception of 2g , which is equally selective toward Na⁺ and Li⁺, all other lariat crown ethers show the best selectivity toward Li⁺ in methanol. Factors that influence the selectivity include the water content, counterions, nature of the side arms, and the externally added cations. Iodide gives the best Na⁺ selectivity with R_I > R_Br > R_Cl. Increased water content profoundly increases the Na⁺ selectivity when the side arm is hydrophilic and the steric hindrance is small. Externally added cations (Cs⁺ and/or Rb⁺) enhance the Na⁺ selectivity by exchanging the smaller Li⁺ from the cavity.