Bifunctional interaction and its effect on the esterification of dicarboxylic acids in chemical ionization mass spectrometry

The chemical ionization mass spectra of different dicarboxylic acids, including saturated and unsaturated aliphatic, aromatic, hydroxyl and amino-substituted dicarboxylic acids, have been studied using pure methanol as the reagent gas. Biomolecular monoesterification and diesterification product ions [M+15]⁺ and [M+29]⁺, and adduct ion [M+33]⁺, were observed, in addition to the protonated molecule [MH]⁺ and unimolecular water elimination product ions. The formation of a protonated molecule with bridged intramolecular hydrogen bond, and its effect on the esterification of dicarboxylic acids is discussed. Geometric isomers, such as maleic and fumaric acid, and ortho and meta isomers of phthalic acids can be distinguished from each other by methanol chemical ionization mass spectra. When ethanol was used as the reagent gas, similar mass spectra of some dicarboxylic acids were obtained.     

Design,synthesis and application of new bile acid ligands with 1,2,3-triazole ring

New dimers have been obtained from propargyl ester of bile acids and α,α′-diazide-m-xylene by intermolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition. These compounds have been used as ligands to form intermolecular hydrogen bonds with various aromatic acids. The structures of all products were confirmed by spectroscopic (¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and FT-IR) analysis, mass spectrometry (ESI, MALDI) and PM5 semiempirical methods.     

ESI‐MS/MS analysis of protonated N‐methyl amino acids and their immonium ions

Methylation is one of the important posttranslational modifications of biological systems. At the metabolite level, the methylation process is expected to convert bioactive compounds such as amino acids, fatty acids, lipids, sugars, and other organic acids into their methylated forms. A few of the methylated amino acids are identified and have been proved as potential biomarkers for several metabolic disorders by using mass spectrometry–based metabolomics workstation. As it is possible to encounter all the N‐methyl forms of the proteinogenic amino acids in plant/biological systems, it is essential to have analytical data of all N‐methyl amino acids for their detection and identification. In earlier studies, we have reported the ESI‐MS/MS data of all methylated proteinogenic amino acids, except that of mono‐N‐methyl amino acids. In this study, the N‐methyl amino acids of all the amino acids ( 1 ‐ 21 ; including one isomeric pair) were synthesized and characterized by ESI‐MS/MS, LC/MS/MS, and HRMS. These data could be useful for detection and identification of N‐methyl amino acids in biological systems for future metabolomics studies. The MS/MS spectra of [M + H]⁺ ions of most N‐methyl amino acids showed respective immonium ions by the loss of (H₂O, CO). The other most common product ions detected were [MH‐(NH₂CH₃]⁺, [MH‐(RH)]⁺ (where R = side chain group) ions, and the selective structure indicative product ions due to side chain and N‐methyl group. The isomeric/isobaric N‐methyl amino acids could easily be differentiated by their distinct MS/MS spectra. Further, the MS/MS of immonium ions inferred side chain structure and methyl group on α‐nitrogen of the N‐methyl amino acids.     

Characterization of N‐methylated amino acids by GC‐MS after ethyl chloroformate derivatization

Methylation is an essential metabolic process in the biological systems, and it is significant for several biological reactions in living organisms. Methylated compounds are known to be involved in most of the bodily functions, and some of them serve as biomarkers. Theoretically, all α‐amino acids can be methylated, and it is possible to encounter them in most animal/plant samples. But the analytical data, especially the mass spectral data, are available only for a few of the methylated amino acids. Thus, it is essential to generate mass spectral data and to develop mass spectrometry methods for the identification of all possible methylated amino acids for future metabolomic studies. In this study, all N‐methyl and N,N‐dimethyl amino acids were synthesized by the methylation of α‐amino acids and characterized by a GC‐MS method. The methylated amino acids were derivatized with ethyl chloroformate and analyzed by GC‐MS under EI and methane/CI conditions. The EI mass spectra of ethyl chloroformate derivatives of N‐methyl ( 1–18 ) and N,N‐dimethyl amino acids ( 19–35 ) showed abundant [M‐COOC₂H₅]⁺ ions. The fragment ions due to loss of C₂H₄, CO₂, (CO₂ + C₂H₄) from [M‐COOC₂H₅]⁺ were of structure indicative for 1–18 . The EI spectra of 19–35 showed less number of fragment ions when compared with those of 1–18 . The side chain group (R) caused specific fragment ions characteristic to its structure. The methane/CI spectra of the studied compounds showed [M + H]⁺ ions to substantiate their molecular weights. The detected EI fragment ions were characteristic of the structure that made easy identification of the studied compounds, including isomeric/isobaric compounds. Fragmentation patterns of the studied compounds ( 1–35 ) were confirmed by high‐resolution mass spectra data and further substantiated by the data obtained from ¹³C₂‐labeled glycines and N‐ethoxycarbonyl methoxy esters. The method was applied to human plasma samples for the identification of amino acids and methylated amino acids. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Equilibrium Constant Studies for Complexation between Ammonium Ions and 18-Crown-6 in Aqueous Solutions at 298.15 K

Osmotic vapor pressure and density measurements have been carried out for binary aqueous and ternary aqueous solutions containing a fixed concentration of 18-crown-6 (0.2 mol⋅kg⁻¹) and ammonium chloride or ammonium bromide at 298.15 K. The concentration of the ammonium salts was varied between 0.02 to 0.5 mol⋅kg⁻¹. The measured water activities were used to obtain the activity coefficient of water and the mean molal activity coefficient of the ions in binary as well as ternary solutions. Using the method developed by Patil and Dagade reported earlier in this journal and the McMillan-Meyer pair and triplet Gibbs energy interaction parameters, the thermodynamic equilibrium constant (K) for the 18-crown-6:NH₄ ⁺ complexes were determined. It is observed that the nature and polarizability of anions play important roles in imparting stability to the complexed species. The log₁₀ K values for the 18-crown-6:NH₄ ⁺ complexed species are lower than for the complexes involving alkali metal ions such as K⁺. The volume of complexation for the studied systems obtained from the apparent molar volumes of ammonium halides in ternary solutions are positive and of smaller magnitude than those reported for complexation with alkali ions. The results are further discussed in terms of water structural effects, complex formation, the role of counter anions and hydrophobic interactions.     

Der 2-Trimethylsilyläthyl-Rest als selektiv abspaltbare Carboxy-Schutzgruppe

The 2-trimethylsilylethyl residue, a selectively cleavable carboxyl protecting group In a search for new carboxyl protecting groups suitable for use in peptide synthesis, 2-trimethylsilylethyl esters [-COOCH₂CH₂Si(CH₃)₃] of several N-protected amino acids have been prepared. These esters can be synthesized in good yields from N^a-benzyloxycarbonyl-amino acids and 2-trimethylsilylethanol with dicyclohexylcarbodiimide in the presence of pyridine. They are stable under a wide variety of conditions used during coupling and work-up in peptide synthesis. For removal the 2-trimethylsilylethyl group is readily cleaved by fluoride ions, preverably using a quaternary ammonium fluoride in dimethylformamide. Some side reactions which occurred during the removal of the 2-trimethylsilylethyl group are discussed. Special attention has been paid to the question of racemization during the treatment with fluoride ions. No. evidence of racemization was found in any of the cases examined.     

Chiral discrimination of β‐3‐homo‐amino acids using the kinetic method

Chiral discrimination of seven enantiomeric pairs of β‐3‐homo‐amino acids was studied by using the kinetic method and trimeric metal‐bound complexes, with natural and unnatural α‐amino acids as chiral reference compounds and divalent metal ions (Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺) as the center ions. The β‐3‐homo‐amino acids were selected for this study because, first of all, chiral discrimination of β‐amino acids has not been extensively studied by mass spectrometry. Moreover, these β‐3‐homo‐amino acids studied have different aromatic side chains. Thus, the emphasis was to study the effect of the side chain (electron density of the phenyl ring, as well as the difference between phenyl and benzyl side chains) for the chiral discrimination. The results showed that by the proper choice of a metal ion and a chiral reference compound, all seven enantiomeric pairs of β‐3‐homo‐amino acids could be differentiated. Moreover, it was noted that the β‐3‐homo‐amino acids with benzyl side chains provided higher enantioselectivity than the corresponding phenyl ones. However, increasing or decreasing the electron density of the aromatic ring by different substituents in both the phenyl and benzyl side chains had practically no role for chiral discrimination of β‐3‐homo‐amino acids studied. When copper was used as the central metal, the phenyl side chain containing reference molecules (S)‐2‐amino‐2‐phenylacetic acid (L ‐Phg) and (S)‐2‐amino‐2‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐acetic acid (L ‐4′‐OHPhg) gave rise to an additional copper‐reduced dimeric fragment ion, [Cu^I(ref)(A)]⁺. The inclusion of this ion improved noticeably the enantioselectivity values obtained. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Chemical ionization mass spectrometry of complex molecules—VI: Peptides

The chemical ionization mass spectra of a series of simple peptides containing six or fewer amino acids have been studied. Using methane as the reactant gas we found cleavage of the peptide bond occurs in two ways, yielding either the acyl carbonium ion or the complementary ammonium ion. The observation of both types of fragments permits the determination of the amino acid sequence of the peptide. The ammonium ions provide an additional sequence determining route compared to that available from electron-impact spectra. ‘Sequence-determing ions,’ especially the quasimolecular ion at m/e [M+1] are usually more intense than in the electron-impact mass spectra.     

Unexpected mass spectral skeletal rearrangements in aromatic thioamides

Interesting skeletal rearrangements, resulting in the formation of unexpected fragments, have been noticed in the mass spectra of aromatic thioamides of cyclic amines such as piperidine, morpholine and pyrrolidine. Suitable mechanisms, based on mass analysed ion kinetic energy spectra, high voltage scan spectra and high resolution data, have been proposed for the formation of [M? SH]⁺ ions and the fragment at m/z (103+R) in the mass spectra of these compounds. The mass spectra of the thioamides of non-cyclic amines and the thioamides of aliphatic acids contain peaks corresponding to a four-centred skeletal rearrangement followed by the elimination of either the thioalkoxy or the thiophenoxy radical from the molecular ions.     

Analysis of α‐acyloxyhydroperoxy aldehydes with electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry (ESI‐MSn)

A series of α‐acyloxyhydroperoxy aldehydes was analyzed with direct infusion electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI/MSⁿ) as well as liquid chromatography coupled with the mass spectrometry (LC/MS). Standards of α‐acyloxyhydroperoxy aldehydes were prepared by liquid‐phase ozonolysis of cyclohexene in the presence of carboxylic acids. Stabilized Criegee intermediate (SCI), a by‐product of the ozone attack on the cyclohexene double bond, reacted with the selected carboxylic acids (SCI scavengers) leading to the formation of α‐acyloxyhydroperoxy aldehydes. Ionization conditions were optimized. [M + H]⁺ ions were not formed in ESI; consequently, α‐acyloxyhydroperoxy aldehydes were identified as their ammonia adducts for the first time. On the other hand, atmospheric‐pressure chemical ionization has led to decomposition of the compounds of interest. Analysis of the mass spectra (MS² and MS³) of the [M + NH₄]⁺ ions allowed recognizing the fragmentation pathways, common for all of the compounds under study. In order to get detailed insights into the fragmentation mechanism, a number of isotopically labeled analogs were also studied. To confirm that the fragmentation mechanism allows predicting the mass spectrum of different α‐acyloxyhydroperoxy aldehydes, ozonolysis of α‐pinene, a very important secondary organic aerosol precursor, was carried out. Spectra of the two ammonium cationized α‐acyloxyhydroperoxy aldehydes prepared with α‐pinene, cis‐pinonic acid as well as pinic acid were predicted very accurately. Possible applications of the method developed for the analysis of α‐acyloxyhydroperoxy aldehydes in SOA samples, as well as other compounds containing hydroperoxide moiety are discussed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Tuning and calibration in thermospray liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry using perfluorinated alkyl acids and their ammonium salts

Of the several approaches used to interface liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry, the thermospray interface has evolved as the most popular and applicable for the analysis of polar and labile organic compounds. Since a separate ion source must be used for thermospray, separate tuning and calibration are required. Unfortunately, current approaches to tuning and calibration suffer from serious shortcomings, most notably rapid contamination of the ion source. Recent reports have shown that this shortcoming can be overcome by using acetic acid-ammonia cluster ions or trifluoroacetic acid–ammonia cluster ions for tuning and calibration. In the latter approach, the tuning solution could also be used in the negative ion mode of operation but suffers from concentration of most of the ion current in one ion. The use of perfluorinated alkyl acids and their ammonium salts to generate intense high-mass negative ions for tuning and calibration to m/z 2000 is reported. Additionally, the ammonium salts of the longer chain perfluorinated acids offer an enhanced high-mass response in the positive ion mode of operation.     

Understanding the Charge Issues in Mono and di-Quaternary Ammonium Compounds for Their Determination by LC/ESI-MS/MS

Chromatographers often develop problems while optimizing a method for the quantification of quaternary ammonium compounds in ESI-MS/MS. Intransigency observed in quaternary ammonium compounds to undergo the classical molecular adduct formation [M+H]⁺ in ESI-MS/MS reduces confidence among chromatographers while working with unit mass resolution. In this study, we provide the evidence for an exceptional rule followed by mono- and di-quaternary ammonium compounds in ESI-MS/MS in the precursor ion formation. Under ESI conditions mono- and di-quaternary ammonium compounds form molecular ions with the formula of m ^q / z ^q rather than ( m + z )/ z . Formation of m ^q / 2 is observed for di-quaternary ammonium compounds in precursor ion scan and m ^q / 1 in product ion scan, if loss of one of the quaternary charge occurs during CID. In di-quaternary ammonium compounds, this process can also result in the formation of fragment ions with higher mass as compared to precursor ion. Hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatographic separation has been used to demonstrate the elution of quaternary ammonium compounds in a single run in the ESI-MS/MS. This work concludes that the analyst must realize and consider these charge issues while dealing with positively charged compounds in LC/ESI-MS/MS.     

Identification of intact oxidation products of glycerophospholipids in vitro and in vivo using negative ion electrospray iontrap mass spectrometry

Free radical‐induced oxidation products of polyunsaturated fatty acids esterified to phospholipids have been implicated in a number of human diseases including atherosclerosis and neurodegenerative diseases. Some of these phospholipid oxidation products have potent biological activities and likely contribute to human pathophysiological conditions. Oxidation products have also been used as markers of oxidative stress in vivo. Identification and quantification of phospholipid oxidation products are often performed by analyzing the oxidized free fatty acid moieties after hydrolysis from the phospholipids head groups by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) or liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS). We now describe the definitive identification of intact oxidized products of glycerophospholipids including glycerophosphatidylcholine (GPC), glycerophosphatidylethanolamine (GPE), and glycerophosphatidylserine (GPS) in vitro and in vivo using iontrap MS. For these analyses, the negative ions of the oxidation products of phospholipids are fragmented to MSⁿ and unequivocal structural characterization is obtained based on collision‐induced dissociation (CID) of the sn‐2 carboxylate ion. This technique overcomes the need to hydrolyze fatty acids from phospholipids in the analysis. The method has been used to identify a number of oxidation products of glycerophospholipids including hydroxyeicosatetraenoates (HETEs) and isoprostanes (IsoPs) esterified to different classes of glycerophospholipids in vitro and in vivo. These studies thus provide a new approach to identify the intact oxidation products of glycerolphospholipids. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Charge calculations in molecular mechanics. III: Amino acids and peptides

Atomic charges obtained with a previously published charge scheme are given for amino acids and peptides. In order to do this, a method of handling charged species with the basic scheme^2,3 has been developed. The charges obtained for alkylammonium ions and carboxylate ions with the scheme are presented and compared with CNDO and ab initio values. The calculated experimental dipole moments of the zwitterionic forms of glycine, alanine and β-alanine are then discussed. Finally, the atomic charges obtained for the naturally occurring amino acids are given, both in the form of the N-acetyl-N′-methyl amino acid amides, used as models for the amino acid residues in enzymes, and as the free zwitterionic amino acids. The charges obtained show a good correlation with n. m. r. chemical shifts of both carbon and hydrogen atoms.     

Cyclic ions in the mass spectra of trimethylsilyl derivatives of substituted o-dihydroxybenzenes

The mass spectra of trimethylsilyl (TMS) ethers/methyl esters of phenolic acids containing o-dihydroxybenzene groups have base peaks at [M?119]⁺ instead of the usual [M?15]⁺ and [M?31]⁺ that are characteristic of TMS/methyl esters of monohydroxyphenolic acids. These ions, formed by the loss of 31+88 u from the parent ion, possess a cyclic moiety as proven by substitution of deuterium atoms for hydrogen atoms in the TMS groups of the methyl esters of 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic (gallic), 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic (protocatechuic) and β-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propenoic (caffeic) acids. Although these cyclic ions are the base peaks in TMS-derivatized o-dihydroxyphenolic acid esters, similar ions represent intense peaks but not necessarily the base peak in other derivatized compounds such as 1,2-dihydroxybenzene, 1,2-dihydroxy-3-methyl- and 1,2-dihydroxy-4-methyl-benzenes and flavan-3-ols that possess o-dihydroxybenzene groups. Compounds possession m- or p-dihydroxybenzene groups do not form these cyclic ions; therefore, this procedure for derivatization and interpretation of mass spectra is valuable for the identification of compounds containing o-dihydroxybenzene groups in complex mixtures of isomeric compounds.     

Field desorption mass spectrometry of quaternary ammonium salts: Cluster ion formation

The field desorption mass spectra of salts such as quaternary ammonium and carbenium salts with organic cations in addition to high cation intensities show signals for cluster ions composed of the salt cation + salt molecule, i.e. [C + nM]⁺, n = 1–5, thus allowing determination of the molecular weights of salts. In some cases cluster ions of the type [nM – 1]⁺ are detected. Conditions for the formation of cluster ions are discussed.     

Studies of consecutive reactions of organic ions in a reversed geometry mass spectrometer

Over thirty consecutive reactions of a type m₁⁺ → m₂⁺ → m₃⁺ have been studied in a variety of organic compounds using a reversed geometry mass spectrometer. Two field free regions allow the separation of the two steps that make up the consecutive reaction sequence. Translational energy release measurements are used in the comparison of m₂⁺ ions formed as a result of a high energy process in the ion source with m₂⁺ ions formed as a product of a metastable decomposition. In some cases the structures of such ions have been found to be different. Examples have also been found where consecutive fragmentations of metastable ions do not occur although, when higher energy ions within the source are studied, the two-step reaction does take place. Furthermore, it has been found that a control over ion internal energy may be achieved by selecting portions of a peak due to the fragmentation of a metastable ion. Unimolecular reactions may then be used to study the reactivity of such ‘energy-selected’ ions; collision induced reactions can be used to study the structure of both the reactive and unreactive energy selected ions.     

Effects of solvent and counterion on ion pairing and observed charge states of diquaternary ammonium salts in electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Two diquaternary ammonium chloride salts have been used to examine the roles of solvent and counterion in determination of the degree of ion pairing in solution and the resultant charge state distributions in electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Three series of solvents, that is, alcohol, polar aprotic, and chlorinated solvents, have been employed to test the influence of solvent polarity and other parameters on the desorption behavior of diquaternary ammonium ions observed in ESI-MS. Solvents of higher polarity were found to yield gas-phase ions of higher charge states, in accordance with their reduced tendency toward ion pairing in solution. Counterion effects were investigated via the following approaches: (1) increase the diquaternary ammonium salt concentration; (2) increase the concentration of an external electrolyte that contained the common counterion Cl^?; (3) replace Cl^? with trifluoroacetate (TFA_c ^?); (4) increase the concentration of an external electrolyte that contained TFAc^?. These experiments indicate that variation of the specific counterion employed alters the degree of influence that the counterion exerts (via ion pairing) on electrospray ionization mass spectra. Increasing amounts of trifluoroacetate ions in a variety of solvent systems invariably led to a progressive shift of the observed ESI-MS charge states of diquaternary ammonium ions toward lower values.     

L‐Valine assisted distinction between the stereo‐isomers of D‐hexoses by positive ion ESI tandem mass spectrometry

The binary mixtures of 7 hexoses and 20 amino acids were investigated by electrospray ionization ion trap mass spectrometry (ESI‐ITMS). The adduct ions of the amino acid and the hexose were detected for 12 amino acids but not for the other 8 amino acids which are basic acidic amino acids and amides. The ions of amino acid–hexose complexes were further investigated by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), and some of them just split easily into two parts whereas the others gave rich fragmentation, such as the complex ions of isoleucine, phenylalanie, tyrosine, and valine. We found that hexoses could be complexed by two molecules of valine but only by one molecule of the other amino acids. Among seven kinds of valine–hexose complexes coordinated by potassium ion, the MS² spectra of the ion at m/z 453 yielded unambiguous differentiation. And the fragmentation ions are sensitive to the stereochemical differences at the carbon‐4 of hexoses in the complexes, as proved by the MS². Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analysis of dinitro- and amino-nitro-toluenesulfonic acids in groundwater by solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry

A reversed-phase LC–MS method with quadrupole-time of flight (QTOF) detection has been developed for the determination of four dinitro-toluenesulfonic acids and two amino-nitro-toluenesulfonic acids in groundwater. The analytes were separated by HPLC with 0.1% (v/v) formic acid as mobile phase modifier compatible with mass spectrometric detection. QTOF-MS analysis with negative ion electrospray ionization afforded good selectivity and sensitivity for analysis of the dinitro- and amino-nitro-toluenesulfonic acids. Structure elucidation and confirmation were accomplished by tandem mass spectrometry. Characteristic ions resulting from the loss of NO, NO₂, and SO₂ from the [M–H]^– ions were detected. An intense fragment ion at m/z 80 representing the [SO₃]^– ion was detected for all dinitro- and amino-nitro-toluenesulfonic acids. Solid-phase extraction using a co-polymer cartridge was developed for preconcentration of the analytes from water. Good recovery (>85%) was achieved when 0.1% formic acid was added into the water samples before extraction. Method detection limits ranged from 10 to 76 ng L^–1 for the targeted compounds when 10 mL water was analyzed. Groundwater samples collected from wells close to a former ammunition plant in Stadtallendorf, Germany, were analyzed for the dinitro- and amino-nitro-toluenesulfonic acids.