Fast atom bombardment mass spectra of isobaric/isomeric phosphonium salts

The positive ion fast atom bombardment mass spectra of isobaric/isomeric aryl phosphonium salts typically contain abundant intact cations, which can be used to establish the cationic molecular weight, characteristic ions that can be used to delineate structural subgroups, and fragment ions corresponding to losses of small neutral molecules. Several of the fragmentation pathways were elucidated by parent ion and daughter ion tandem mass spectrometry experiments. Dependence of the fragmentation reactions on functional group substitution suggests that fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry is an excellent method for the differentiation of isobaric/isomeric phosphonium salts used in synthetic organic and industrial catalytic processes.     

Elemental compositions from daughter ion spectra of m1+ and [m1 + 1]+: Some applications of the method

The elemental compositions of ions can be determined in tandem mass spectrometry by comparing the daughter ion spectra of the m₁⁺ and [m₁ + 1]⁺ ions. The method is demonstrated for mass-analyzed ion kinetic energy spectra but is applicable to all types of daughter ion spectra, including complex collisionally activated dissociation spectra. In this work, the method is applied to compounds that produce daughter ions of known elemental compositions, and the errors and limitations are evaluated. Following that test, the procedure is applied to a compound that may produce daughters of more than one possible elemental composition. The method is sometimes useful even if the formula of the parent is not known; that is, the formulae of unknown parent and daughter ions may be found. Locating a specific atom in an isotopically labeled molecule is another capability of the method. The basic equation of the method was generalized and incorporated into a computer program for performing the calculations.     

Determination of the fragmentation mechanisms of organophosphorus ions by H2O and D2O atmospheric-pressure ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Dimethylmethyl phosphonate (DMMP), dimethyl phosphite (DMPI), trimethyl phosphite (TMPI) and trimethyl phosphate (TMP) were investigated using H₂O and D₂O atmospheric-pressure ionization (API) tandem mass Spectrometry. All daughter ions could be explained by losses of one or a successive number of stable molecules as opposed to losses of radicals such as the hydride, methyl and methoxy species. Losses of neutral methanol and dimethyl ether and of protonated methanol and formaldehyde ions from all four organophosphorus pseudo-molecular ions were observed. The DMMP and DMPI MH⁺ pseudomolecular ions produced the losses of neutral C₂H₆ and water, respectively. Formaldehyde loss was not observed for the MH⁺ ions, but it was well represented in the decomposition pathways of daughter ions. The D₂O reagent gas highlighted the role of the ionizing proton/ deuteron in the various daughter ions, including m/z 95, 79, 65, 49, 33, 31 and 47. The last ion was found to be isobaric in that m/z 47 and 48 both appeared with similar abundances in the D₂O-API daughter ion mass spectra of TMPI and TMP.     

Identification of isobaric product ions in electrospray ionization mass spectra of fentanyl using multistage mass spectrometry and deuterium labeling

Isobaric product ions cannot be differentiated by exact mass determinations, although in some cases deuterium labeling can provide useful structural information for identifying isobaric ions. Proposed fragmentation pathways of fentanyl were investigated by electrospray ionization ion trap mass spectrometry coupled with deuterium labeling experiments and spectra of regiospecific deuterium labeled analogs. The major product ion of fentanyl under tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) conditions (m/z 188) was accounted for by a neutral loss of N‐phenylpropanamide. 1‐(2‐Phenylethyl)‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (1) was proposed as the structure of the product ion. However, further fragmentation (MS³) of the fentanyl m/z 188 ion gave product ions that were different from the product ion in the MS/MS fragmentation of synthesized 1, suggesting that the m/z 188 product ion from fentanyl includes an isobaric structure different from the structure of 1. MS/MS fragmentation of fentanyl in deuterium oxide moved one of the isobars to 1 Da higher mass, and left the other isobar unchanged in mass. Multistage mass spectral data from deuterium‐labeled proposed isobaric structures provided support for two fragmentation pathways. The results illustrate the utility of multistage mass spectrometry and deuterium labeling in structural assignment of isobaric product ions. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The reaction intermediate spectrum. A new type of experiment in tandem mass spectrometry

A new scan is described which responds to ions that are intermediates in the dissociation of a mass-selected parent ion (m_p) to give a mass-selected daughter ion (m_d). The scan gives a simple mass v. abundance output for ions which satisfy this condition. It is implemented here on a BEQQ hybrid mass spectrometer using, in sequence, collision-induced dissociation occurring at high energy in the first reaction region, and low-energy collisional activation in the collision quadrupole. The experiment provides information on reaction sequences not available from single scans of other types. In the several cases examined, it is demonstrated that, among many conceivable fragmentation routes connecting a parent ion with a particular fragment ion, only a few are significant. Examination of reaction intermediate spectra also appears to be a fruitful new approach to mechanistic questions, as illustrated by consideration of the behavior of several isomeric octanones. These new spectra also have analytical value: they show good signal-to-noise ratios and allow ready distinction between isobaric and isomeric ions. A comparison of the reaction intermediate spectrum with a daughter spectrum obtained by the B/E linked-scanning technique reveals the contributions of artifact peaks which result from poor parent ion mass resolution in the latter. Reaction intermediate spectra combine information from the daughter spectra of m_p and the parent spectra of m_d and, as a specified portion of this data domain, have unique characteristics.     

Nature of methyl cation bonding to dihydroxybenzenes elucidated using an ion trap mass spectrometer

Methylation of the isomeric dihydroxybenzeres using the dimethylfluoronium ion ([CH₃FCH₃]⁺) was studied in a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer. The products were characterized by tandem mass spectrometry using collision-activated dissociation. A comparison of the daughter ion spectra of the methylated products with those of model ions, generated by protonation of substituent- and ring-methylated analogs, demonstrates that a mixture of methylated products is generated. Included are structures in which the methyl is σ-bonded to the ring and others with σ-bonds to the heteroatom, the latter being favored in catechol and hydroquinone. The energy-resolved daughter ion spectra for the methylated isomers, acquired by varying the amplitude of the a.c. voltage used to excite resonantly the mass-selected ions, support these conclusions regarding the site of methylation.     

Natural isotopes as a tool in the elucidation of elemental composition and fragmentation pathways by tandem mass spectrometry

Comparison of daughter spectra obtained by tandem quadrupole mass Spectrometry from ions selected from an isotopic cluster of the same elemental composition can be efficiently used to find out the elemental composition of a fragment. This even applies with ions of high mass and with low abundance isotopes such as ¹⁸O. By this method, loss of CO and HCO˙ from the phenol molecular ion is confirmed and the absence of CO loss from the p-tert-butyl-pbenol molecular ion is made obvious. Limitations of the method are discussed in the case of a bicyclic imidazolidinone.     

超高效液相色谱-三重四极杆质谱联用检测红色糖多孢菌胞内中间代谢物同位素丰度

采用超高效液相色谱-三重四极杆串联质谱联用仪(LC-MS/MS),建立了能精确检测红色糖多孢菌胞内代谢物13C同位素丰度的方法.在优化的超高效液相色谱的条件及三重四极杆串联质谱的离子传输电压和碰撞池电压下,筛选出各胞内代谢物的最佳离子对.根据物质在LC-MS/MS中生成的母离子和子离子碳链长短及子离子是否含有13C等特性,建立了"一对一"法、"一对多"法和单级质谱SIM法等同位素丰度检测方法.利用这些方法,检测了自然标记标准品和13C标记实验样品,根据实验值与理论值的接近程度筛选出最优方法.结果表明,对于以磷酸糖类为代表的子离子不含有13C的代谢物,"一对一"法最有效;对于以有机酸类为代表的母离子和子离子都含有13C的短碳链代谢物,"一对多"法更有优势;对于以辅酶A类为代表的母离子和子离子都含有13C且碳链较长的代谢物,单级质谱SIM法才能发挥作用.建立的同位素丰度检测方法具有较好的准确度,可应用于红色糖多孢菌胞内代谢物同位素丰度的检测,为后续研究菌体的代谢机理,实现红霉素的高效表达奠定了基础.     

Formation of lithiated adducts of glycerophosphocholine lipids facilitates their identification by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Electrospray ionization (ESI) tandem mass spectrometry (MS) has simplified analysis of phospholipid mixtures, and, in negative ion mode, permits structural identification of picomole amounts of phospholipid species. Collisionally activated dissociation (CAD) of phospholipid anions yields negative ion tandem mass spectra that contain fragment ions representing the fatty acid substituents as carboxylate anions. Glycerophosphocholine (GPC) lipids contain a quaternary nitrogen moiety and more readily form cationic adducts than anionic species, and positive ion tandem mass spectra of protonated GPC species contain no abundant ions that identify fatty acid substituents. We report here that lithiated adducts of GPC species are readily formed by adding lithium hydroxide to the solution in which phospholipid mixtures are infused into the ESI source. CAD of [MLi⁺] ions of GPC species yields tandem mass spectra that contain prominent ions representing losses of the fatty acid substituents. These ions and their relative abundances can be used to assign the identities and positions of the fatty acid substituents of GPC species. Tandem mass spectrometric scans monitoring neutral losses of the head-group or of fatty acid substituents from lithiated adducts can be used to identify GPC species in tissue phospholipid mixtures. Similar scans monitoring parents of specific product ions can also be used to identify the fatty acid substituents of GPC species, and this facilitates identification of distinct isobaric contributors to ions observed in the ESI/MS total ion current.     

Are liquid chromatography/electrospray tandem quadrupole fragmentation ratios unequivocal confirmation criteria?

Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) ratios as provided by tandem mass spectrometers are used to confirm positive residue findings (e.g. veterinary drugs or pesticides). The Commission Decision 2002/657/EEC defines tolerance levels for MRM ratios, which are intended to prevent the reporting of false positives. This paper reports findings where blank sample extracts have been spiked by a drug (difloxacin) and the corresponding measured MRM ratios significantly deviated from MRM ratios observed in matrix‐free solution. The observation was explained by the formation of two different [M+H]⁺ analyte ions within the electrospray ionization (ESI) interface. These two ions vary only by the site of analyte protonation. Since they are isobaric, they are equally transmitted through the first quadrupole, but are differently fragmented in the collision chamber. The existence of two isobaric ions was deduced by statistical data and the observation of a doubly charged analyte ion. It was hypothesized that the combined presence of [M+H]⁺ and [M+2H]²⁺ implies the existence of two different singly charged ion species differing only by the site of protonation. Low‐ and high‐energy interface‐induced fragmentation was performed on the samples. The surviving precursor ion population was mass selected and again fragmented in the collision chamber. Equal product ion spectra would be expected. However, very different product ion spectra were observed for the two interface regimes. This is consistent with the assumption that the two postulated isobaric precursor ions show different stability in the interface. Hence the abundance ratio among the two types of surviving precursor ions will shift and change the resulting product ion spectra. The existence of the postulated singly charged ions with multiple chargeable sites was finally confirmed by successful ion mobility separation. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The role of central ion in chiral recognition by taking phenylalanine as an example

Chiral recognition of phenylalanine (Phe) was achieved in the gas phase by electrospray ionization Q-TOF tandem mass spectrometry. In this method, two central ions, i.e. proton and divalent copper, were used and chiral crown ether, (+)-2,3,11,12-tetracarboxylic acid-18-crown-6 (18-C-6-TCA), was used as a chiral host. Dimeric complexes were readily formed by electrospray ionization of a methanol/water (50/50, V/V) solution containing central ions, Phe and 18-C-6-TCA. The dimeric complex included proton-bound (18-C-6-TCA)(Phe)H+ and copper-bound deprotonated [Cu²⁺(18-C-6-TCA)(Phe)-H]⁺ ions were mass selected and then collided with Ar in the CID experiments. The chiral recognition capability of these complexes was evaluated using the relative abundance of daughter ion to parent ion. A higher degree of chiral recognition ability was observed with Cu²⁺ compared to that of H⁺. Different central ions exhibited distinctive dissociation pathways and unique chiral recognition characteristics. The chiral recognition mechanism was also discussed in detail with the help of the structure of copper-bound complex predicted by theoretical calculation.     

Unimolecular decomposition of ethoxytrimethylsilane

A study of the metastable spectra from ethoxytrimethylsilane and the mass shifts of the deuterium-labeled species permitted the rationalization of the fragmentation mechanism for forming all major ions in the mass spectrum. A new mechanistic pathway for the formation of [Si(CH₃)₃]⁺ (m/z 73) is demonstrated. A strong metastable ion for elimination of neutral acetaldehyde from the parent ion was observed despite the absence of a detectable daughter ion.     

Characterization of cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine (HMX) thermal degradation by isotope analyses with analytical pyrolysis-atmospheric pressure ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Analytical pyrolysis-atmospberic pressure ionization (Py-API) tandem mass Spectrometry was used in the structure elucidation of the oxidalive and non-oxidative thermal decomposition products of cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine (HMX). The [¹⁵NO₂]-, [¹⁵N₈]- and [²H₈]-HMX isotope preparations provided fundamental information in the determination of the identities of the various pyrolyzate species. All RDX pyrolysis product ions that were identified by Py-API tandem mass Spectrometry, i.e. m/z 44, 60, 74, 75, 85 and 98, were present in the pyrolyzate of HMX. In both RDX and HMX investigations, these ions provided identical mass spectral daughter ion analyses. HMX, however, provided additional ions at m/z 30, 58, 69, 71, 83 and 141. Of all thirteen ions identified in the Py-APJ mass spectrum of HMX, only that at m/z 75 contained a nitrogen atom that originated from the NO₂ group. Standards analysis confirmed the identities of the ions at m/z 69, 71 and 141 as methyleneaminoacetonitrile, methylaminoacetonitrile and the caged compound hoxamethylenetetraamine, respectively. Isotopic analyses provided a high degree of confidence on the structural assignments of the ions at m/z 30 and 58 as methyleneimine and methyleneformamide; the ion at m/z 83, however, appeared to be a heterocyclic compound with daughter ion mass spectral elements similar to but not identical with that of 1-methylimidazole and 3-methylpyrazole.     

Determination of polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorodibenzofurans by gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry and gas chromatography/triple mass spectrometry in a quadrupole ion trap

The determination of tetra- to octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxins and tetra- to octachlorodibenzofurans (PCCD/Fs) by high-resolution gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (HRGC/MS/MS) and high-resolution gas chromatography/triple mass spectrometry (HRGC/MS(3)) in a quadrupole ion trap, equipped with an external ion source, is presented. MS/MS involves a typical four-step process, namely ionization, parent ion isolation, collision-induced dissociation (CID) and mass analysis of the daughter ions. For the MS(3) experiment, the MS/MS scan function is used with the addition of selected daughter ion isolation, their CID and the mass analysis of second-generation product ions called 'grand-daughter ions.' For both methods, the energies necessary for the CID of the 17 PCDD/Fs were determined and optimized using multiple scan functions with different CID amplitudes. The CID efficiency, defined as the signal ratio of fragment ions detected from the major dissociation channels to molecular ions isolated, was 1.15-2.40 V for parent ion dissociation (MS/MS) and 1.05-1.50 V for daughter ion dissociation (MS(3)) and for all the chloro congeners. The same sensitivity (1 pg microl(-1)) can be reached with both the MS/MS and MS(3) methods and linear responses were obtained between 1 and 100 pg microl(-1) injected.     

Application of a linear ion trap/orbitrap mass spectrometer in metabolite characterization studies: Examination of the human liver microsomal metabolism of the non-tricyclic anti-depressant nefazodone using data-dependent accurate mass measurements

We report herein, facile metabolite identification workflow on the anti-depressant nefazodone, which is derived from accurate mass measurements based on a single run/experimental analysis. A hybrid LTQ/orbitrap mass spectrometer was used to obtain accurate mass full scan MS and MS/MS in a data-dependent fashion to eliminate the reliance on a parent mass list. Initial screening utilized a high mass tolerance ( approximately 10 ppm) to filter the full scan MS data for previously reported nefazodone metabolites. The tight mass tolerance reduces or eliminates background chemical noise, dramatically increasing sensitivity for confirming or eliminating the presence of metabolites as well as isobaric forms. The full scan accurate mass analysis of suspected metabolites can be confirmed or refuted using three primary tools: (1) predictive chemical formula and corresponding mass error analysis, (2) rings-plus-double bonds, and (3) accurate mass product ion spectra of parent and suspected metabolites. Accurate mass characterization of the parent ion structure provided the basis for assessing structural assignment for metabolites. Metabolites were also characterized using parent product ion m/z values to filter all tandem mass spectra for identification of precursor ions yielding similar product ions. Identified metabolite parent masses were subjected to chemical formula calculator based on accurate mass as well as bond saturation. Further analysis of potential nefazodone metabolites was executed using accurate mass product ion spectra. Reported mass measurement errors for all full scan MS and MS/MS spectra was <3 ppm, regardless of relative ion abundance, which enabled the use of predictive software in determining product ion structure. The ability to conduct biotransformation profiling via tandem mass spectrometry coupled with accurate mass measurements, all in a single experimental run, is clearly one of the most attractive features of this methodology.     

Identification of phenyl-N-methylcarbamates and their transformation products in Tunisian surface water by solid-phase extraction liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Liquid chromatography-pneumatically assisted electrospray mass spectrometry with both negative and positive ionization has been used for the determination of carbamates pesticides and their transformation products in Tunisian surface water. Eight pesticides and four of their hydrolysis products were covered in this study.Optimization of electrospray inlet conditions is described as well as results from investigations of the linearity of the detector response. Conditions for tandem mass spectrometry (MS-MS) detection of characteristic daughter ions formed by collision induced dissociation (CID) of the parent ion are described. Detection limits using MS in the selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode were generally in the order of 0.5 μg L⁻¹ or below. A principle of analysis is proposed based on triple quadrupole MS as a method for quantitative determination followed by verification of positive findings by CID-MS-MS. Application of the method for detecting carbamates residues in surface water is demonstrated.     

Acute pressure dependence of the electron ionization mass spectrum of molybdenyl acetylacetonate

Formation of both fragment and polymeric ions observed in the electron impact mass spectrum of molybdenyl acetylacetonate exhibit a strong dependence on the instantaneous pressure in the ionization source. The indicated source pressure increases with increasing direct probe temperature. Utilizing a probe temperature increase of only 30°C min^?1, the relative abundances of some ions can change by factors as high as 15 over a period of 60 s. Some ions are remarkably transient, appearing in only the few scans during which the source pressure corresponds to just that required for their formation. These rapid changes in the ion relative abundances are also exhibited in tandem mass spectra, and especially in parent ion scans.     

Development of fast atom bombardment mass spectral methods for the identification of carcinogen-nucleoside adducts

An analytical strategy using fast atom bombardment (FAB) ionization and tandem mass spectrometry has been developed to determine the molecular weight and major fragment ions, and to provide limited structural characterization of low picomole levels of carcinogen-nucleoside adducts. This strategy consists of three main components: (1) the sensitivity for analysis by FAB combined with mass spectrometry is increased via chemical derivatization; (2) the nucleoside adducts are selectively detected by using constant neutral loss scans; and (3) structurally characteristic fragments are obtained by using daughter ion scans. Trimethylsilyl derivatized arylamine-nucleoside adducts have been detected at levels as low as a few picomoles by using this approach. After experimental determination of the mass of the BH ₂ ⁺ fragment ion, daughter ion spectra have been used to probe the structure specificity associated with collision-activated decomposition of this fragment. With model C-8 substituted arylamine adducts [N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-4-aminobiphenyl, N-(deoxyadenosin--yl)-4-aminobiphenyl, and N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-2-aminofluorene], nucleoside-specific and carcinogen-specific fragmentation have been observed in daughter ion spectra.     

Time-dependence of the electron-impact-induced unimolecular decay process C3H8+ → C3H7+ + H

A time-of-flight mass spectrometer has been modified to study directly the time dependence of metastable decay processes by introducing a variable time delay between the ionization and extraction pulses and by providing a set of retarding plates and grids in the flight tube to select a single parent ion species for study and to resolve the peak into parent ion, daughter ion and daughter neutral components. The experimentally determined time dependence of the unimolecular decay process C₃H₈⁺ → C₃H₇⁺ + H is compared with previously published predictions of the quasiequilibrium theory of mass spectra.     

Chimera Spectrum Diagnostics for Peptides Using Two-Dimensional Partial Covariance Mass Spectrometry

The rate of successful identification of peptide sequences by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) is adversely affected by the common occurrence of co-isolation and co-fragmentation of two or more isobaric or isomeric parent ions. This results in so-called `chimera spectra’, which feature peaks of the fragment ions from more than a single precursor ion. The totality of the fragment ion peaks in chimera spectra cannot be assigned to a single peptide sequence, which contradicts a fundamental assumption of the standard automated MS/MS spectra analysis tools, such as protein database search engines. This calls for a diagnostic method able to identify chimera spectra to single out the cases where this assumption is not valid. Here, we demonstrate that, within the recently developed two-dimensional partial covariance mass spectrometry (2D-PC-MS), it is possible to reliably identify chimera spectra directly from the two-dimensional fragment ion spectrum, irrespective of whether the co-isolated peptide ions are isobaric up to a finite mass accuracy or isomeric. We introduce ‘3-57 chimera tag’ technique for chimera spectrum diagnostics based on 2D-PC-MS and perform numerical simulations to examine its efficiency. We experimentally demonstrate the detection of a mixture of two isomeric parent ions, even under conditions when one isomeric peptide is at one five-hundredth of the molar concentration of the second isomer.