A specific LC/ESI-MS/MS method for determination of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in neonatal dried blood spots containing a potential interfering metabolite, 3-epi-25-hydroxyvitamin D3

Vitamin D deficiency in an infant is associated with a wide range of adverse health outcomes in later life. A method for the quantification of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D₃ [25(OH)D₃, the best‐established indicator of vitamin D status] in neonatal dried blood spots (DBSs) using LC/ESI‐MS/MS has been developed and validated. The method employed two steps of derivatization, a Diels–Alder reaction with 4‐phenyl‐1,2,4‐triazoline‐3,5‐dione followed by acetylation, to enhance the detectability of 25(OH)D₃ in ESI‐MS/MS and to separate 25(OH)D₃ from 3‐epi‐25‐hydroxyvitamin D₃ [3‐epi‐25(OH)D₃], a potent interfering metabolite. 25(OH)D₃ was extracted from two DBS punches (3 mm in diameter, equivalent to 5.3 μL of whole blood), purified using an Oasis HLB^® cartridge, and subjected to derivatization prior to analysis with LC/ESI‐MS/MS. 25‐Hydroxyvitamin D₄ was used as the internal standard. This method was reproducible (intra‐ and inter‐assay RSDs, <6.9%) and accurate (analytical recovery, 95.2–102.7%), and the LOQ was 3.0 ng/mL. The developed method enabled specific quantification of 25(OH)D₃ in neonatal DBSs and detection of vitamin D deficiency without interference from 3‐epi‐25(OH)D₃.     

Identification of conjugation positions of urinary glucuronidated vitamin D3 metabolites by LC/ESI–MS/MS after conversion to MS/MS‐fragmentable derivatives

A liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry‐based method was developed for the identification of the conjugation positions of the monoglucuronides of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D₃ [25(OH)D₃] and 24,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D₃ [24,25(OH)₂D₃] in human urine. The method employed derivatization with 4‐(4‐dimethylaminophenyl)‐1,2,4‐triazoline‐3,5‐dione to convert the glucuronides into fragmentable derivatives, which provided useful product ions for identifying the conjugation positions during the MS/MS. The derivatization also enhanced the assay sensitivity and specificity for urine sample analysis. The positional isomeric monoglucuronides, 25(OH)D₃‐3‐ and ‐25‐glucuronides, or 24,25(OH)₂D₃‐3‐, ‐24‐ and ‐25‐glucuronides, were completely separated from each other under the optimized LC conditions. Using this method, the conjugation positions were successfully determined to be the C3 and C24 positions for the glucuronidated 25(OH)D₃ and 24,25(OH)₂D₃, respectively. The 3‐glucuronide was not present for 24,25(OH)₂D₃, unlike 25(OH)D₃, thus we found that selective glucuronidation occurs at the C24‐hydroxy group for 24,25(OH)₂D₃.     

Quantification of physiological levels of vitamin D3 and 25‐hydroxyvitamin D3 in porcine fat and liver in subgram sample sizes

Most methods for the quantification of physiological levels of vitamin D₃ and 25‐hydroxyvitamin D₃ are developed for food analysis where the sample size is not usually a critical parameter. In contrast, in life science studies sample sizes are often limited. A very sensitive liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method was developed to quantify vitamin D₃ and 25‐hydroxyvitamin D₃ simultaneously in porcine tissues. A sample of 0.2–1 g was saponified followed by liquid–liquid extraction and normal‐phase solid‐phase extraction. The analytes were derivatized with 4‐phenyl‐1,2,4‐triazoline‐3,5‐dione to improve the ionization efficiency by electrospray ionization. The method was validated in porcine liver and adipose tissue, and the accuracy was determined to be 72–97% for vitamin D₃ and 91–124% for 25‐hydroxyvitamin D₃. The limit of quantification was <0.1 ng/g, and the precision varied between 1.4 and 16% depending on the level of spiking. The small sample size required for the described method enables quantification of vitamin D₃ and 25‐hydroxyvitamin D₃ in tissues from studies where sample sizes are limited.     

Exploring Tyrosine‐Triazolinedione (TAD) Reactions for the Selective Conjugation and Cross‐Linking of N‐Carboxyanhydride (NCA) Derived Synthetic Copolypeptides

Highly efficient functionalization and cross‐linking of polypeptides is achieved via tyrosine‐triazolinedione (TAD) conjugation chemistry. The feasibility of the reaction is demonstrated by the reaction of 4‐phenyl‐1,2,4‐triazoline‐3,5‐dione (PTAD) with tyrosine containing block copolymer poly(ethylene glycol)‐Tyr₄ as well as a statistical copolymer of tyrosine and lysine (poly(Lys₄₀‐st‐Tyr₁₀)) prepared form N‐carboxyanhydride polymerization. Selective reaction of PTAD with the tyrosine units is obtained and verified by size exclusion chromatography and NMR spectroscopy. Moreover, two monofunctional and two difunctional TAD molecules are synthesized. It is found that their stability in the aqueous reaction media significantly varied. Under optimized reaction conditions selective functionalization and cross‐linking, yielding polypeptide hydrogels, can be achieved. TAD‐mediated conjugation can offer an interesting addition in the toolbox of selective (click‐like) polypeptide conjugation methodologies as it does not require functional non‐natural amino acids.

     

Catalysis of the Reaction of Cholesteryl Acetate with 4‐Phenyl‐1,2,4‐triazoline‐3,5‐dione by Lithium Perchlorate

Abstract

The 3β‐acetoxy‐6β‐(3,5‐dioxo‐4‐phenyl‐[1,2,4]triazolidin‐1‐yl)cholest‐4‐ene structure has been assigned to a single product of the reaction of cholesteryl acetate with 4‐phenyl‐1,2,4‐triazoline‐3,5‐dione in Et₂O solution, mediated by LiClO₄.     

Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometric method for the determination of salivary 25-hydroxyvitamin D<Subscript>3</Subscript>: a noninvasive tool for the assessment of vitamin D status

A sensitive liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometric (LC–ESI–MS/MS) method for the determination of 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ [25(OH)D₃] in human saliva has been developed and validated. The saliva was deproteinized with acetonitrile, purified using a Strata-X cartridge, derivatized with a Cookson-type reagent, 4-phenyl-1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-dione (PTAD), and subjected to LC–MS/MS. The PTAD derivative was much more easily ionized in positive-ESI–MS and efficiently produced a characteristic product ion during MS/MS, compared to the intact 25(OH)D₃. Methylamine was used as the mobile phase additive, and also effectively enhanced the assay sensitivity. Quantification was based on selected reaction monitoring, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D₄ was used as the internal standard. This method allowed the reproducible and accurate quantification of salivary 25(OH)D₃ using a 1.0-ml sample, and the limit of quantitation for 25(OH)D₃ was 2.0 pg/ml. The applicability of the developed method for clinical studies was then examined. There was a positive linear relationship (r ² = 0.830) between the serum 25(OH)D₃ level, which is conventionally used as a means of assessing the vitamin D status, and the salivary 25(OH)D₃ level measured using the proposed method. The method also enabled the detection of the increase in the salivary 25(OH)D₃ level after the supplementation of vitamin D₃.     

Rolf Huisgen's Classic Studies of Cyclic Triene Diels–Alder Reactions Elaborated by Modern Computational Analysis

Rolf Huisgen explored the Diels–Alder reactions of 1,3,5‐cycloheptatriene (CHT) and cyclooctatetraene (COT) with the dienophiles maleic anhydride and 4‐phenyl‐1,2,4‐triazoline‐3,5‐dione (PTAD) to determine the kinetics and mechanisms of various electrocyclizations and Diels–Alder reactions. These reactions have been examined with density functional theory. Modern computational chemistry has provided information not previously available by experiment. Transition states for all the reactions have been identified, and their Gibbs energies are used to explain the experimental reactivities. Zwitterionic intermediates were not found in the [4+2] cycloadditions of both CHT or COT with PTAD and are thus not involved in these reactions. [2+2+2] cycloadditions, as an alternative path to the Diels–Alder products, are highly disfavored. Rapid double nitrogen inversion was found for the cycloaddition products with PTAD.     

New approach for the clinical monitoring of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D3 and 25‐hydroxyvitamin D2 by ultra high performance liquid chromatography with MS/MS based on the standard reference material 972

Biomarkers, 25‐hydroxyvitamin D₃ and 25‐hydroxyvitamin D₂, are important indicators of the vitamin D general status and are monitored in several pathophysiological disorders, such as osteoporosis, diabetes, heart disease, etc. A novel ultra‐HPLC with MS/MS methodology for the analysis of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D derivatives coupled with a very simple and highly rapid sample preparation step was developed. Analytical parameters obtained showed linearity (R²) above 0.999 for both vitamins with accuracies between 95.8 and 102%. The LODs were as low as 0.22 and 0.67 nmol/L for 25‐hydroxyvitamin D₃ and 25‐hydroxyvitamin D₂, respectively. Intra‐assay precision (%RSD) was lower than 4.5%, and inter‐assay precision (%RSD) was lower than 6.5%. The feasibility of the developed methodology to be applied in clinical routine analysis has been proved by its application in blood samples from non‐agenarian patients, patients with familial hypercholesterolemia and patients suffering from age‐related macular degeneration.     

Studies with condensed amino‐thiophenes: Further investigation of reactivity of amino‐thieno‐coumarines and amino‐thieno‐benzo[h]coumarines toward electron‐poor olefins and acetylenes

The reaction of 3‐amino‐5‐oxa‐2‐thia‐cyclopenta[a]naphthalene‐4‐one 2b with substituted acetylenes afforded C‐1 alkylation products. On the other hand, reaction of 17‐amino‐15‐methyl‐11‐oxa‐16‐thiacyclopenta[a]phenanthrene‐12‐one 5 with substituted acetylenes and electron‐poor olefins afforded the condensed thienopyridine derivatives 7 and 11a – c . The reaction of 5 with acrylonitrile and with 4‐phenyl‐1,2,4‐triazoline‐3,5‐dione afforded compounds 13 and 21 with loss of H₂S via the expected [4 + 2] cycloaddition sequence. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 15:502–507, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.20047     

Thiofenchone s‐methylide and its spiro‐1,3,4‐thiadiazoline precursor

Spiro[fenchane‐2,2′‐(1,3,4)‐thiadiazoline] ( 6 ), prepared from thiofenchone and diazomethane, extrudes N₂ (t_1/2 22 min, 46°C, toluene) and furnishes the S‐methylide 7 which, in turn, closes the thiirane ring or else is intercepted by 1,3‐cycloadditions to dipolarophiles (tetracyanoethylene, maleic anhydride, N‐methyl‐1,2,4‐triazoline‐3,5‐dione, aromatic thioketones). When thiocarbonyl S‐methylide 7 is set free in methanol, fenchone S,O‐dimethylacetal is formed as an HX adduct. Catalysis by acetic acid converts 7 to 1‐(methylthio)‐α‐fenchene ( 25 ) by way of a Wagner‐Meerwein rearrangement. The addition of diazomethane to thiocampher leads, via thiadiazoline 12 , to thiocamphor S‐methylide; the latter undergoes a 1,4‐H shift, thus affording 2‐methylthio‐2‐bornene ( 11 ). © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 12:136–145, 2001     

Determination of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D3 in human plasma using HPLC with UV detection based on SPE sample preparation

Interest in the metabolism and physiological action of vitamin D is increased exponentially. The most important metabolites of vitamin D are 25‐hydroxyvitamin and 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D₃. The aim of the study was to develop a rapid and simple HPLC method for the measurement of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D₃ in human plasma. A method for the measurement of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D₃ using HPLC with UV detection and investigation into the extraction techniques with regard to stability and recovery are described. For the separation, RP column LiChroCart 125‐4, Purospher RP‐18e, 5 μm, was used. The mixture of methanol and deionized water (95:5 v/v) was used as mobile phase. The analytical performance of this method is satisfactory: the intra‐ and inter‐assay coefficients of variation were below 10%. Quantitative recoveries from spiked plasma samples were between 92.0–103.2%. The LOD was 10 nmol/L. The preliminary reference range of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D₃ in a group of blood donors is 62 ± 26 nmol/L.     

Gold Catalysis: One‐Pot Alkylideneoxazoline Synthesis/Alder‐Ene Reaction

Based on the gold‐catalyzed synthesis of methyleneoxazolines, a one‐pot combination with an Alder‐ene reaction was developed. For azodicarboxylates, good to very good yields (51–99 %) of the oxazolemethylhydrazinedicarboxylates were achieved with 3 mol % of the Gagosz catalyst, [Ph₃PAuNTf₃]. In a less‐selective reaction, 4‐phenyl‐3H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐3,5(4 H)‐dione gave lower yields (41–49 %) of the corresponding oxazolemethylphenyltriazolidinediones. Overall, five new bonds were formed. Tetracyanoethylene afforded a cyclobutane derivative through a [2+2] cycloaddition reaction at ?40 °C, but only 45 % of the spiro compound was obtained. The less‐readily available KITPHOS ligands on gold gave even higher yields at lower catalyst loadings (2 mol %), but longer reaction times were required.     

Derivatization of chiral carboxylic acids with (S)‐anabasine for increasing detectability and enantiomeric separation in LC/ESI‐MS/MS

A simple and practical derivatization procedure for increasing the detectability and enantiomeric separation of chiral carboxylic acids in LC/ESI‐MS/MS has been developed. (S)‐Anabasine (ANA) was used as the derivatization reagent and rapidly reacted with carboxylic acids [3‐hydroxypalmitic acid (3‐OH‐PA), 2‐(β‐carboxyethyl)‐6‐hydroxy‐2,7,8‐trimethylchroman (γ‐CEHC), and etodolac] in the presence of 4‐(4,6‐dimethoxy‐1,3,5‐triazin‐2‐yl)‐4‐methylmorpholium chloride. The resulting ANA‐derivatives were highly responsive in ESI‐MS operating in the positive‐ion mode and gave characteristic product ions during MS/MS, which enabled sensitive detection using selected reaction monitoring; the detection responses of the ANA‐derivatives were increased by 20–160‐fold over those of the intact carboxylic acids and the limits of detection were in the low femtomole range (1.8–11 fmol on the column). The ANA‐derivatization was also effective for the enatiomeric separation of the chiral carboxylic acids; the resolution was 1.92, 1.75, and 2.03 for 3‐OH‐PA, γ‐CHEC, and etodolac, respectively. The derivatization procedure was successfully applied to a biological sample analysis; the derivatization followed by LC/ESI‐MS/MS enabled the separation and detection of trace amounts of 3‐OH‐PA in neonatal dried blood spot and γ‐CEHC in human saliva with a simple pretreatment and small sample volume.     

Analysis of urinary vitamin D3 metabolites by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry with ESI-enhancing and stable isotope-coded derivatization

The determination of the urinary vitamin D₃ metabolites might prove helpful in the assessment of the vitamin D status. We developed a method for the determination of trace vitamin D₃ metabolites, 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ [25(OH)D₃] and 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ [24,25(OH)₂D₃], in urine using liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS) combined with derivatization using an ESI-enhancing reagent, 4-(4′-dimethylaminophenyl)-1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-dione (DAPTAD), and its isotope-coded analogue, ²H₄-DAPTAD (d-DAPTAD). The urine samples were treated with β-glucuronidase, purified with an Oasis® hydrophilic–lipophilic balanced (HLB) cartridge, and then subjected to the derivatization. The DAPTAD derivatization enabled the highly sensitive detection (detection limit, 0.25 fmol on the column), and the use of d-DAPTAD significantly improved the assay precision [the intra- (n?=?5) and inter-assay (n?=?3) relative standard deviations did not exceed 9.5 %]. The method was successfully applied to urine sample analyses and detected the increases of the urinary 25(OH)D₃ and 24,25(OH)₂D₃ levels due to vitamin D₃ administration. Graphical Abstract

Scheme of procedure for urinary vitamin D₃ metabolite analysis based on LC/MS/MS with ESI-enhancing and isotope-coded derivatization.     

A simple micro‐extraction plate assay for automated LC‐MS/MS analysis of human serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D levels

This short application note describes a simple and automated assay for determination of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels in very small volumes of human serum. It utilizes commercial 96‐well micro‐extraction plates with commercial 25(OH)D isotope calibration and quality control kits. Separation was achieved using a pentafluorophenyl liquid chromatography column followed by multiple reaction monitoring‐based quantification on an electrospray triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. Emphasis was placed on providing a simple assay that can be rapidly established in non‐specialized laboratories within days, without the need for laborious and time consuming sample preparation steps, advanced calibration or data acquisition routines. The analytical figures of merit obtained from this assay compared well to established assays. To demonstrate the applicability, the assay was applied to analysis of serum samples from patients with chronic liver diseases and compared to results from a routine clinical immunoassay. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reactivity of 4‐Phenyl‐1,2,4‐triazoline‐3,5‐dione and Diethylazocarboxylate in [4+2]‐Cycloaddition and Ene Reactions: Solvent,Temperature, and High‐Pressure Influence on the Reaction Rate

We have studied the solvent, temperature, and pressure influences on the reaction rates of cyclic and acyclic N=N bonds in the Diels–Alder and ene reactions. The transfer from N‐phenylmaleimide ( 9 ) to a structural analogue, 4‐phenyl‐1,2,4‐triazoline‐3,5‐dione ( 2 ), is accompanied by the rate increase in five to six orders of magnitude in the Diels–Alder reactions with cyclopentadiene ( 4 ) and 9,10‐dimethylanthracene ( 5 ), whereas the transfer from dimethyl fumarate ( 10 ) to diethyl azodicarboxylate ( 1 ) increases only in one to two orders of magnitude. The ratio of the reaction rate constants ( 2 + 4 )/( 1 + 4 ) is very large (5.2 × 10⁷) and almost the same (5.3 × 10⁷) as in the ene reactions with tetramethylethylene ( 7 ), ( 2 + 7 )/( 1 + 7 ). It has been observed that the N=N bond in reagent 2 has strong electrophilic, and its N–N moiety in the transition state has nucleophilic properties, which results from the analysis of the solvation enthalpy transfer of reagents, activated complex, and adduct in the Diels–Alder reaction of 2 with anthracene 22 .     

Asymmetric polymerization via cycloaddition reactions

The reaction of N‐phthaloyl‐L ‐leucine acid chloride (1) with isoeugenol (2) was carried out in chloroform, and novel optically active isoeugenol ester derivative 3 as a chiral monomer was obtained in high yield. Compound 3 was characterized by ¹H‐NMR, IR, and mass and elemental analysis and then was used for the preparation of model compound 5 and polymerization reactions. 4‐Phenyl‐1,2,4‐triazoline‐3,5‐dione, PhTD (4), was allowed to react with compound 3. The reaction is very fast and gives only one diastereomer of 5 via Diels–Alder and ene pathways in quantitative yield. In order to explain this diastereoselectivity, a nonconcerted two‐step mechanism involving benzylic cation (BC) and aziridinium (AI) have been proposed for the Diels–Alder and ene reactions, respectively. The polymerization reactions of novel monomer 3 with bis(triazolinedione)s [bis(p‐3,5‐dioxo‐1,2,4‐triazolin‐4‐ylphenyl)methane (8) and 1,6‐bis(3,5‐dioxo‐1,2,4‐triazolin‐4‐yl)hexane] (9)] were performed in N,N‐dimethylacetamide (DMAc) at room temperature. The reactions are exothermic, fast, and gave novel optically active polymers 10 and 11 via repetitive Diels–Alder–ene polyaddition reactions. These polymers have inherent viscosities in a range about 0.18–0.22 dL/g. Some physical properties and structural characterizations of these new polymers have been studied and are reported. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 1211–1219, 1999     

Analysis of retinol, α‐tocopherol, 25‐hydroxyvitamin D2 and 25‐hydroxyvitamin D3 in plasma of patients with cardiovascular disease by HPLC–MS/MS method

Fat‐soluble vitamins play a pivotal role in the progression of atherosclerosis and the development of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, plasma monitoring of their concentrations may be useful in the diagnosis of these disorders as well as in the process of treatment. The study aimed to develop and validate an HPLC–MS/MS method for determination of retinol, α‐tocopherol, 25‐hydroxyvitamin D2 and 25‐hydroxyvitamin D3 in plasma of patients with cardiovascular disease. The analytes were separated on an HPLC Kinetex F5 column via gradient elution with water and methanol, both containing 0.1% (v/v) formic acid. Detection of the analytes was performed on a triple‐quadrupole MS with multiple reaction monitoring via electrospray ionization. The analytes were isolated from plasma samples with liquid–liquid extraction using hexane. Linearity of the analyte calibration curves was confirmed in the ranges 0.02–2 μg/mL for retinol, 0.5–20 μg/mL for α‐tocopherol, 5–100 ng/mL for 25‐hydroxyvitamin D2 and 2–100 ng/mL for 25‐hydroxyvitamin D3. Intra‐ and inter‐assay precision and accuracy of the method were satisfactory. Short‐ and long‐term stabilities of the analytes were determined. The HPLC‐MS/MS method was applied for the determination of the above fat‐soluble vitamin concentrations in patient plasma as potential markers of the cardiovascular disease progression.     

Kinetics of the ene reactions of 4‐phenyl‐1,2,4‐triazoline‐3,5‐dione with β‐pinene and 2‐carene: Temperature,high pressure,and solvent effects

The data on temperature, solvent, and high hydrostatic pressure influence on the rate of the ene reactions of 4‐phenyl‐1,2,4‐triazoline‐3,5‐dione ( 1 ) with 2‐carene ( 2 ), and β‐pinene ( 4 ) have been obtained. Ene reactions 1 + 2 and 1 + 4 have high heat effects: ∆H_r‐n ( 1 + 2 ) −158.4, ∆H_r‐n( 1 + 4 ) −159.2 kJ mol⁻¹, 25°C, 1,2‐dichloroethane. The comparison of the activation volume (∆V^≠( 1 + 2 ) −29.9 cm³ mol⁻¹, toluene; ∆V^≠( 1 + 4 ) −36.0 cm³ mol⁻¹, ethyl acetate) and reaction volume values (∆V_r‐n( 1 + 2 ) −24.0 cm³ mol⁻¹, toluene; ∆V_r‐n( 1 + 4 ) −30.4 cm³ mol⁻¹, ethyl acetate) reveals more compact cyclic transition states in comparison with the acyclic reaction products 3 and 5 . In the series of nine solvents, the reaction rate of 1+2 increases 260‐fold and 1+4 increases 200‐fold, respectively, but not due to the solvent polarity.     

Synthesis of 3‐(Pyridin‐4‐Ylmethyl)‐4‐Substituted‐1,2,4‐Triazoline‐5‐Thione

The reaction of the hydrazide of pyridine‐4‐acetic acid with isothiocyanate gave thiosemicarbazide derivatives respectively. Further cyclization with 2% NaOH led to the formation of 4‐substituted 3‐(pyridin‐4‐ylmethyl)‐1,2,4‐triazoline‐5‐thione and 3‐(pyridin‐4‐ylmethyl)‐1,2,4‐triazoline‐5‐thione. The structures of all new products were confirmed by analytical and spectroscopic methods.