Site-specific C content by quantitative isotopic C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectrometry: A pilot inter-laboratory study

Isotopic ¹³C NMR spectrometry, which is able to measure intra-molecular ¹³C composition, is of emerging demand because of the new information provided by the ¹³C site-specific content of a given molecule. A systematic evaluation of instrumental behaviour is of importance to envisage isotopic ¹³C NMR as a routine tool. This paper describes the first collaborative study of intra-molecular ¹³C composition by NMR. The main goals of the ring test were to establish intra- and inter-variability of the spectrometer response. Eight instruments with different configuration were retained for the exercise on the basis of a qualification test. Reproducibility at the natural abundance of isotopic ¹³C NMR was then assessed on vanillin from three different origins associated with specific δ¹³C_i profiles. The standard deviation was, on average, between 0.9 and 1.2‰ for intra-variability. The highest standard deviation for inter-variability was 2.1‰. This is significantly higher than the internal precision but could be considered good in respect of a first ring test on a new analytical method. The standard deviation of δ¹³C_i in vanillin was not homogeneous over the eight carbons, with no trend either for the carbon position or for the configuration of the spectrometer. However, since the repeatability for each instrument was satisfactory, correction factors for each carbon in vanillin could be calculated to harmonize the results.     

Efficient synthesis of H & C labeled benzaldehydes via regio-selective formylation

Benzaldehydes are important building blocks in synthetic organic chemistry that have wide applications for the synthesis of natural products and pharmaceutical drugs. Herein we report a general synthetic methodology for the synthesis of highly functionalized ²H and ¹³C labeled benzaldehydes in transfer of isotopic purity >99% via regio-selective formylation. Regio-selective deprotonation of substituted benzene 1 with LDA/n-BuLi at −78 °C and treatment with DMF-d₇ or EtO-¹³CHO led to the synthesis of 2-deutero-1,3-disubstituted benzaldehydes 2/4 in moderate to good yields. The synthetic methodology described represents a simple yet versatile route to functionalized formyl-deuterated, tritiated ¹³C and ¹⁴C labeled benzaldehydes.     

Baseline isotopic data of polyhalogenated compounds

The δ²H- and δ¹³C-values of polyhalogenated compounds were determined by EA-IRMS. Most of the compounds were related to the chloropesticides DDT and its metabolites, hexachlorocyclohexanes, and toxaphene, as well as several polybrominated compounds such as bromophenols and -anisoles. δ²H-values ranged between −235‰ and +75‰ whereas δ¹³C-values were found in the range −22‰ to −38‰. No correlation between δ²H- and δ¹³C-values could be identified. Comparative analysis clarified that bromophenols and the corresponding bromoanisoles may vary in their isotopic distribution. ²H NMR was used to quantify abundances of ²H isotopomers. Quantification of isotopomers of 2,4-dibromophenol and 2,4-dibromoanisole proved that both compounds from different suppliers do not originate from the same source. Differences in the δ²H-values of two toxaphene products were further investigated by the synthesis of products of different degree of chlorination from camphene. It was shown that the δ¹³C-values remained mostly unaltered as was expected since no carbon is lost in this procedure. However, the reaction products became enriched in ²H with increasing degree of chlorination. Different δ²H-values of the starting material will also impact the δ²H-values of the chlorination products.     

Stable carbon ((12/13)C) and nitrogen ((14/15)N) isotopes as a tool for identifying the sources of cyanide in wastes and contaminated soils--a method development

The occurrence of iron-cyanide complexes in the environment is of concern, since they are potentially hazardous. In order to determine the source of iron-cyanide complexes in contaminated soils and wastes, we developed a method based on the stable isotope ratios ¹³C/¹²C and ¹⁵N/¹⁴N of the complexed cyanide-ion (CN⁻). The method was tested on three pure chemicals and two industrials wastes: blast-furnace sludge (BFS) and gas-purifier waste (GPW). The iron-cyanide complexes were converted into the solid cupric ferrocyanide, Cu₂[Fe(CN)₆]·7H₂O, followed by combustion and determination of the isotope-ratios by continuous flow isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Cupric ferrocyanide was obtained from the materials by (i) an alkaline extraction with 1 M NaOH and (ii) a distillate digestion. The [Fe(CN)₆]⁴⁻ of the alkaline extraction was precipitated after adding Cu²⁺. The CN⁻ of the distillate digestion was at first complexed with Fe²⁺ under inert conditions and then precipitated after adding Cu²⁺. The δ¹³C-values obtained by the two methods differed slightly up to 1-3‰ for standards and BFS. The difference was larger for alkaline-extracted GPW (4-7‰), since non-cyanide C was co-extracted and co-precipitated. Therefore the distillate digestion technique is recommended when determining the C isotope ratios in samples rich in organic carbon. Since the δ¹³C-values of BFS are in the range of −30 to −24‰ and of −17 to −5‰ for GPW, carbon seems to be a suitable tracer for identifying the source of cyanide in both wastes. However, the δ¹⁵N-values overlapped for BFS and GPW, making nitrogen unsuitable as a tracer.     

Convergent syntheses of carbon-13 labeled midazolam and 1′-hydroxymidazolam

For the purpose of drug interaction studies, the stable-isotope labeled [¹³C₃]midazolam and its metabolite, 1′-hydroxy-[¹³C₃]midazolam were synthesized in four and five steps in overall yields of 25.5% and 14.2%, from 7-chloro-5-(2-fluorophenyl)-2-(N-nitrosomethylamino)-3H-1,4-benzodiazepine, respectively, by a convergent synthesis, in which a key imidazoline ring formation was achieved by the facile reaction of [¹³C]2-aminomethyl-7-chloro-2,3-dihydro-5-(2-fluorophenyl)-1H-1,4-benzodiazepine with varying ethyl imidate hydrochlorides. The scrambling of C-3 and C-4 labeling in intermediate diamine, and consequently in the final products, as well as the formation of a Δ^4,5 isomer of 1′-hydroxy-[¹³C₃]midazolam was observed and explained.     

Solid-state Na and C NMR characterization of Na3C60

Two separate samples of Na₃C₆₀ were prepared by direct reaction of C₆₀ with sodium metal vapor, and subjected to different annealing times of 10 days and 16 days. Solid-state ¹³C and ²³Na NMR, along with elemental analysis, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy, were used to characterize both samples. The Raman spectra of both materials have a single peak at 1447 cm⁻¹ which correspond to the A_g peak of C₆₀³⁻, consistent with the stoichiometry of Na_xC₆₀ with x=3. The powder XRD patterns are also virtually identical for both samples. However, solid-state ²³Na and ¹³C NMR spectra of the two samples are significantly different, suggesting a relationship between annealing times and the final structure of the alkali fulleride. Variable-temperature ²³Na magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR experiments reveal the existence of two or three distinct sodium species and reversible temperature-dependent diffusion of sodium ions between octahedral and tetrahedral interstitial sites. ¹³C MAS NMR experiments are used to identify resonances corresponding to free C₆₀ and fulleride species, implying that the samples are segregated-phase materials composed of C₆₀ and non-stoichiometric Na₃C₆₀. Variable-temperature ¹³C MAS NMR experiments reveal temperature-dependent motion of the fullerides.     

Study and validity of 13C stable carbon isotopic ratio analysis by mass spectrometry and 2H site-specific natural isotopic fractionation by nuclear magnetic resonance isotopic measurements to characterize and control the authenticity of honey

Honey samples were analyzed by stable carbon isotopic ratio analysis by mass spectrometry (SCIRA-MS) and site-specific natural isotopic fractionation measured by nuclear magnetic resonance (SNIF-NMR) to first determine their potentials for characterizing the substance and then to combat adulteration. Honey samples from several geographic and botanical origins were analyzed. The δ¹³C parameter was not significant for characterizing an origin, while the (D/H)_I ratio could be used to differentiate certain single-flower varieties. Application of the official control method of adding a C₄ syrup (AOAC official method 998.12) to our authentic samples revealed anomalies resulting from SCIRA indices that were more negative than −1‰ (permil). A filtration step was added to the experimental procedure and provided results that were compliant with the natural origin of our honey samples. In addition, spiking with a C₄ syrup could be detected starting at 9-10%. The use of SNIF-NMR is limited by the detection of a syrup spike starting only at 20%, which is far from satisfying.     

液相色谱-同位素比质谱法同时测定葡萄酒中甘油和乙醇的δ13C值

采用液相色谱-同位素比质谱(LC-IRMS)技术建立了同时测定葡萄酒中甘油和乙醇δ13C值的分析方法。优化了葡萄酒中影响甘油和乙醇色谱分离的条件。方法的精密度和准确度分别为0.15‰~0.26‰和0.11‰~0.28‰。对40个葡萄酒样品进行了测定,甘油和乙醇的δ13 C值分别为-26.87‰~-32.96‰、-24.06‰~-28.29‰,两者具有较强的相关性(R=0.82)。该方法不需要复杂的样品预处理,在相同条件下同时测定甘油和乙醇的δ13C值,较传统方法简单、快速。     

Fast-atom bombardment tandem mass spectrometry of [13C]arachidonic acid labeled phospholipid molecular species

A method employing stable isotope labeling and fast-atom bombardment (FAB) tandem mass spectrometry has been developed to directly assess events of biosynthesis and metabolism of arachidonic acid containing phospholipid molecular species by cells carried in culture. Mast cells, cultured with [¹³C]linoleic acid, converted this precursor into arachidonic acid which was then incorporated into cellular phospholipids. Over a 24 hour period, the extent of label enrichment in each arachidonate-containing phospholipid molecular species was monitored by using negative FAB ionization with selected reaction monitoring. Specific incorporation of [¹³C₁₇] labeled arachidonate was determined from the ratio of the carboxylate anions at m/z 320 and 303, which correspond to [¹³C₁₇]arachidonate and unlabeled arachidonate, respectively, produced by collision-induced dissociation of each specific molecular anion. The use of [¹³C]linoleic acid as a precursor of arachidonic acid avoids the problem of changing the endogenous pool size by directly adding labeled arachidonic acid. Measurement of the [¹³C₁₇]label also avoids interferences from endogenous isobaric fatty acids that are naturally present at low levels.     

Compound-specific stable carbon isotope ratios of phenols and nitrophenols derivatized with N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide

We developed an analytical method for measuring compound-specific stable carbon isotope ratios (δ¹³C) of phenols and nitrophenols in filter samples of particulate organic matter. The method was tested on 13 phenols derivatized with N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA), together with four nonphenolic compounds. The data obtained by our method required two specific corrections for the determination of valid δ¹³C values: (1) for nitro compounds, the routine correction with use of m/z 46 for the contribution of ¹²C¹⁷O¹⁶O molecules) to m/z 45 was modified due to impact of NO₂ on the m/z 46 trace, and (2) for the derivatized phenols, measured δ¹³C values were corrected for the shift in δ¹³C due to the addition of carbon atoms from the BSTFA moiety. Analysis of standard-spiked filters showed that overall there was a small compound-dependent bias in the δ¹³C values: the average bias ± the standard error of the mean of −0.21 ± 0.1‰ for the standard compounds tested, except 3-methylcatechol, methylhydroquinone, 4-methyl-2-nitrophenol, and 2,6-dimethyl-4-nitrophenol, whereas the average biases ± the standard errors of the mean for those were +1.2 ± 0.3‰, +1.2 ± 0.2‰, −1.2 ± 0.2‰, and −1.4 ± 0.5‰, respectively, when the injected mass of a derivatized compound exceeded 15 ngC. In situations where such small biases and uncertainties are acceptable, the method described here could be used to obtain valuable information about δ¹³C values. We also analyzed a real filter sample to demonstrate the practical applicability of the method.     

Eliminating false positive C4 sugar tests on New Zealand Manuka honey

Carbon isotope analyses (δ¹³C) of some New Zealand Manuka honeys show that they often fail the internationally recognised Association of Official Analytical Chemists sugar test (AOAC method 998.12) which detects added C₄ sugar, although these honeys are from unadulterated sources. Failure of these high value products is detrimental to the New Zealand honey industry, not only in lost export revenue, but also in brand and market reputation damage. The standard AOAC test compares the carbon isotope value of the whole honey and corresponding protein isolated from the same honey. Differences between whole honey and protein δ¹³C values should not be greater than +1.0‰, as it indicates the possibility of adulteration with syrups or sugars from C₄ plants such as high fructose corn syrup or cane sugar. We have determined that during the standard AOAC method, pollen and other insoluble components are isolated with the flocculated protein. These non‐protein components have isotope values which are considerably different from those of the pure protein, and can shift the apparent δ¹³C value of protein further away from the δ¹³C value of the whole honey, giving a false positive result for added C₄ sugar. To eliminate a false positive C₄ sugar test for Manuka honey, prior removal of pollen and other insoluble material from the honey is necessary to ensure that only the pure protein is isolated. This will enable a true comparison between whole honey and protein δ¹³C isotopes. Furthermore, we strongly suggest this modification to the AOAC method be universally adopted for all honey C₄ sugar tests. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Conditions to obtain precise and true measurements of the intramolecular C distribution in organic molecules by isotopic C nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry

Intramolecular ¹³C composition gives access to new information on the (bio) synthetic history of a given molecule. Isotopic ¹³C NMR spectrometry provides a general tool for measuring the position-specific ¹³C content. As an emerging technique, some aspects of its performance are not yet fully delineated. This paper reports on (i) the conditions required to obtain satisfactory trueness and precision for the determination of the internal ¹³C distribution, and (ii) an approach to determining the “absolute” position-specific ¹³C content. In relation to (i), a precision of <1% can be obtained whatever the molecule on any spectrometer, once quantitative conditions are met, in particular appropriate proton decoupling efficiency. This performance is a prerequisite to the measurement of isotope fractionation either on the transformed or residual compound when a chemical reaction or process is being studied. The study of the trueness has revealed that the response of the spectrometer depends on the ¹³C frequency range of the studied molecule, i.e. the chemical shift range. The “absolute value” and, therefore, the trueness of the ¹³C NMR measurements has been assessed on acetic acid and by comparison to the results obtained on the fragments from COOH and CH₃ by isotopic mass spectrometry coupled to a pyrolysis device (GC-Py–irm-MS), this technique being the reference method for acetic acid. Of the two NMR spectrometers used in this work, one gave values that corresponded to those obtained by GC-Py–irm-MS (thus, the “true” value) while the other showed a bias, which was dependent to the range covered by the resonance frequencies of the molecule. Therefore, the former can be used directly for studying isotope affiliations, while the latter can only be used directly for comparative data, for example in authenticity studies, but can also be used to obtain the true values by applying appropriate correction factors. The present study assesses several key protocol steps required to enable the determination of position-specific ¹³C content by isotopic ¹³C NMR, irrespective of the NMR spectrometer: parameters to be adjusted, performance test using [1,2-¹³C₂]acetic acid, generation of correction factors.     

Biosynthesis of aspergiolide A, a novel antitumor compound by a marine-derived fungus Aspergillus glaucus via the polyketide pathway

Aspergiolide A, a novel antitumor compound, was produced by a marine-derived filamentous fungus Aspergillus glaucus. The biosynthesis of it was unambiguously determined by feeding experiments using [l-¹³C]sodium acetate, [2-¹³C]sodium acetate, and [1,2-¹³C₂]sodium acetate precursors followed by ¹³C NMR spectroscopic investigation of the isolated products. Analysis of the patterns of ¹³C-enrichment revealed that all 25 carbon atoms in skeleton of aspergiolide A were derived from labeled acetate. And among them, 12 carbon atoms were labeled from the carboxylic group of acetate, while the other 13 carbon atoms were labeled from the methylic group of acetate. Besides, the labeling pattern of [1,2-¹³C₂]sodium acetate feeding experiment demonstrated that 12 intact acetate units were incorporated in aspergiolide A by polyketide pathway.     

The natural abundance of C with different agricultural management by NIRS with fibre optic probe technology

In the present study the natural abundance of ¹³C is quantified in agricultural soils in Mexico which have been submitted to different agronomic practices, zero and conventional tillage, retention of crop residues (with and without) and rotation of crops (wheat and maize) for 17 years, which have influenced the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of the soil. The natural abundance of C13 is quantified by near infrared spectra (NIRS) with a remote reflectance fibre optic probe, applying the probe directly to the soil samples.Discriminate partial least squares analysis of the near infrared spectra allowed to classify soils with and without residues, regardless of the type of tillage or rotation systems used with a prediction rate of 90% in the internal validation and 94% in the external validation. The NIRS calibration model using a modified partial least squares regression allowed to determine the δ¹³C in soils with or without residues, with multiple correlation coefficients 0.81 and standard error prediction 0.5‰ in soils with residues and 0.92 and 0.2‰ in soils without residues. The ratio performance deviation for the quantification of δ¹³C in soil was 2.5 in soil with residues and 3.8 without residues. This indicated that the model was adequate to determine the δ¹³C of unknown soils in the −16.2‰ to −20.4‰ range. The development of the NIR calibration permits analytic determinations of the values of δ¹³C in unknown agricultural soils in less time, employing a non-destructive method, by the application of the fibre optic probe of remote reflectance to the soil sample.     

Resonant laser mass spectrometry: fragmentation patterns from 13C1 naturally labeled molecules

The potential of resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) mass spectrometry to pick out the fragmentation pattern due to ¹³C₁-isotopomers from the fragmentation pattern due to the unlabeled molecule, in non-isotope-enriched samples, has been explored. Toluene, n-propylbenzene, ortho-diethylbenzene, and tert-butylbenzene have been used as testing samples. The fragmentation patterns of the unlabeled molecule and of the natural abundance ¹³C₁-isotopomer have been measured in a time-of-flight mass analyzer by exciting successively the S₁ ← S₀ origins of the ¹²C-monoisotopic molecule and ¹³C₁-isotopomers. Fragmentation mechanisms are not completely clear from the comparison of these mass spectra, but the method can be applied to low concentration enriched compounds labeled in known positions.     

Oxidation of cyclopentane-1,2-dione: a study with O labeled reagents

The asymmetric oxidation of 3-alkyl-cyclopentane-1,2-diones with the Ti(OⁱPr)₄/tartaric ester/t-BuOOH complex, which gives, in a cascade process, highly enantiomerically enriched γ-lactone acids, was studied by ¹⁸O isotopic labeling in the substrate and in the oxidant. The path of the labeled atoms was followed by ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. It was found that the oxidative ring cleavage of 1,2-dione proceeds via a Baeyer-Villiger-type oxidation mechanism.     

The Synthesis of 13C9-15N-Labeled 3,5-Diiodothyronine and Thyroxine

Thyroid hormones undergo extensive metabolism to regulate hormone activity. A labeled thyroid hormone would be useful to track hormone metabolism through various pathways. While radiolabeled thyroid hormones have been synthesized and used for in vivo studies, a stable isotope labeled form of thyroid hormone is required for studying thyroid hormone metabolism by LC-MS/MS, an analytical technique that has certain advantages without the complications of radioactivity. Here we report the synthesis of ¹³C₉-¹⁵N-T₂ and ¹³C₉-¹⁵N-T₄, two labeled thyroid hormone derivatives suitable for in vivo LC-MS/MS studies.

Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Synthetic Communications® to view the free supplemental file.     

A mass spectrometric method to determine activities of enzymes involved in polyamine catabolism

An analytical method for the determination of three polyamines (putrescine, spermidine, and spermine) and five acetylpolyamines [N¹-acetylspermidine (N¹AcSpd), N⁸-acetylspermidine (N⁸AcSpd), N¹-acetylspermine, N¹,N⁸-diacetylspermidine, and N¹,N¹²-diacetylspermine] involved in the polyamine catabolic pathway has been developed using a hybrid tandem mass spectrometer. Heptafluorobutyryl (HFB) derivatives of these compounds and respective internal standards labeled with stable isotopes were analyzed simultaneously by TOF MS, based on peak areas appearing at appropriate m/z values. The isomers, N¹AcSpd and N⁸AcSpd were determined from their fragment ions, the acetylamidopropyl and acetylamidobutyl groups, respectively, using MS/MS with ¹³C₂-N¹AcSpd and ¹³C₂-N⁸AcSpd which have the ¹³C₂-acetyl group as an internal standard. The TOF MS method was successfully applied to measure the activity of enzymes involved in polyamine catabolic pathways, namely N¹-acetylpolyamine oxidase (APAO), spermine oxidase (SMO), and spermidine/spermine N¹-acetyltransferase (SSAT). The following natural substrates and products labeled with stable isotopes considering the application to biological samples were identified; for APAO, [4,9,12-¹⁵N₃]-N¹-acetylspermine and [1,4,8-¹⁵N₃]spermidine (¹⁵N₃-Spd), respectively; for SMO, [1,4,8,12-¹⁵N₄]spermine and ¹⁵N₃-Spd, respectively; and for SSAT, ¹⁵N₃-Spd and [1,4,8-¹⁵N₃]-N¹-acetylspermidine, respectively.     

Quantitative analysis of deuterium using the isotopic effect on quaternary C NMR chemical shifts

Quantitative analysis of specifically deuterated compounds can be achieved by a number of conventional methods, such as mass spectroscopy, or by quantifying the residual ¹H NMR signals compared to signals from internal standards. However, site specific quantification using these methods becomes challenging when dealing with non-specifically or randomly deuterated compounds that are produced by metal catalyzed hydrothermal reactions in D₂O, one of the most convenient deuteration methods. In this study, deuterium-induced NMR isotope shifts of quaternary ¹³C resonances neighboring deuterated sites have been utilized to quantify the degree of isotope labeling of molecular sites in non-specifically deuterated molecules. By probing ¹³C NMR signals while decoupling both proton and deuterium nuclei, it is possible to resolve ¹³C resonances of the different isotopologues based on the isotopic shifts and the degree of deuteration of the carbon atoms. We demonstrate that in different isotopologues, the same quaternary carbon, neighboring partially deuterated carbon atoms, are affected to an equal extent by relaxation. Decoupling both nuclei (¹H, ²H) resolves closely separated quaternary ¹³C signals of the different isotopologues, and allows their accurate integration and quantification under short relaxation delays (D1 = 1 s) and hence fast accumulative spectral acquisition. We have performed a number of approaches to quantify the deuterium content at different specific sites to demonstrate a convenient and generic analysis method for use in randomly deuterated molecules, or in cases of specifically deuterated molecules where back-exchange processes may take place during work up.     

First examples of [Rh(Bident)(CO)(L)] complexes where L is N-donor ligand: Molecular structure of [Rh(8-Oxiquinolinato)(CO)(NH3)]

Selective oxidation of one (trans to N) carbonyl group in [Rh(8-Oxiquinolinato)(CO)₂] with stoichiometric amount of Me₃NO in MeCN produces a solution containing [Rh(Oxq)(CO)(Me₃N)] and [Rh(Oxq)(CO)(MeCN)]. The ammonia complex, [Rh(Oxq)(CO)(NH₃)], has been prepared by action of NH₃ gas on this solution and characterized by IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, and X-ray data. Spectral parameters, ν(CO), δ¹³C, and ¹J(CRh), were measured in situ for a series of complexes [Rh(Oxq)(CO)(L)] (L = NAlk₃, Py, PBu₃, PPh₃, P(OPh)₃, C₈H₁₄) formed upon action of L on [Rh(Oxq)(CO)(NH₃)] in THF. A new ν(CO) and δ¹³C based scale of σ-donor/π-acceptor properties of ligands L is proposed including NH₃ and CO as the natural endpoints.