Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry of ginsenosides

Ginsenosides R(b1), R(b2), R(c), R(d), R(e), R(f), R(g1), R(g2) and F(11) were studied systematically by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry in positive- and negative-ion modes with a mobile-phase additive, ammonium acetate. In general, ion sensitivities for the ginsenosides were greater in the negative-ion mode, but more structural information on the ginsenosides was obtained in the positive-ion mode. [M + H](+), [M + NH(4)](+), [M + Na](+) and [M + K](+) ions were observed for all of the ginsenosides studied, with the exception of R(f) and F(11), for which [M + NH(4)](+) ions were not observed. The signal intensities of [M + H](+), [M + NH(4)](+), [M + Na](+) and [M + K](+) ions varied with the cone voltage. The highest signal intensities for [M + H](+) and [M + NH(4)](+) ions were obtained at low cone voltage (15-30 V), whereas those for [M + Na](+) and [M + K](+) ions were obtained at relatively high cone voltage (70-90 V). Collision-induced dissociation yielded characteristic positively charged fragment ions at m/z 407, 425 and 443 for (20S)-protopanaxadiol, m/z 405, 423 and 441 for (20S)-protopanaxatriol and m/z 421, 439, 457 and 475 for (24R)-pseudoginsenoside F(11). Ginsenoside types were identified by these characteristic ions and the charged saccharide groups. Glycosidic bond cleavage and elimination of H(2)O were the two major fragmentation pathways observed in the product ion mass spectra of [M + H](+) and [M + NH(4)](+). In the product ion mass spectra of [M - H](-), the major fragmentation route observed was glycosidic bond cleavage. Adduct ions [M + 2AcO + Na](-), [M + AcO](-), [M - CH(2)O + AcO](-), [M + 2AcO](2-), [M - H + AcO](2-) and [M - 2H](2-) were observed at low cone voltage (15-30 V) only.     

Formation of [M-H]- and [M-2H]2- ions in the electrospray ionization mass spectra of dicarboxylated polyethylene glycols

The negative-ion electrospray mass spectrometric behavior of dicarboxylated polyethylene glycols (CPEGCs) is discussed. Both [M-H](-) and [M-2H](2-) ions were observed. It was found that the ratio [M-2H](2-)/[M-H](-) is affected by oxyethylene chain length, solvent polarity, analyte concentration and applied cone voltage.     

Identification of phenolics and nucleoside derivatives in Gastrodia elata by HPLC-UV-MS

An HPLC-UV-MS method for simultaneous identification of predominant phenolics and minor nucleoside derivatives in Gastrodia elata was developed, which was based on their UV and MS characteristics summarized through a series of homemade reference standard experiments. Phenolics showed characteristic UV lambda(max) at 267 nm, [M + NH(4)](+) base peak in positive mode and [M-H](-) base peak in negative mode while nucleosides exhibited UV lambda(max) at 255 nm, [M + H](+), [M-H + 2H(2)O](-) or [M-H + CH(3)COOH](-). Phenolics conjugates mainly underwent the consecutive loss of gastrodin residue (-268 U) and the combined loss of H(2)O and CO(2 )from the citric acid unit under negative MS/MS conditions whereas nucleosides simply lost the ribose (-132 U) under positive MS/MS conditions. According to these characteristics, a special pattern under MS/MS conditions and reported compound data for G. elata in the literature, not only 15 phenolics were identified but also 6 nucleoside derivatives were identified. Among these compounds, seven phenolics and three nucleoside derivatives have not been reported yet from G. elata.     

Tautomerization of methyldiazene to formaldehyde-hydrazone in ruthenium and osmium complexes

Mixed-ligand hydrazine complexes [M(CO)(RNHNH2)P4](BPh4)2 (1, 2) [M = Ru, Os; R = H, CH3, C6H5; P = P(OEt)3] with carbonyl and triethyl phosphite were prepared by allowing hydride [MH(CO)P4]BPh4 species to react first with HBF4.Et2O and then with hydrazines. Depending on the nature of the hydrazine ligand, the oxidation of [M(CO)(RNHNH2)P4](BPh4)2 derivatives with Pb(OAc)4 at -30 C gives acetate [M(kappa1-OCOCH3)(CO)P4]BPh4 (3a), phenyldiazene [M(CO)(C6H5N=NH)P4](BPh4)2 (3c, 4c), and methyldiazene [M(CO)(CH3N=NH)P4](BPh4)2 (3b, 4b) derivatives. Methyldiazene complexes 3b and 4b undergo base-catalyzed tautomerization of the CH3N=NH ligand to formaldehyde-hydrazone NH2N=CH2, giving the [M(CO)(NH2N=CH2)P4](BPh4)2 (5, 6) derivatives. Complexes 5 and 6 were characterized spectroscopically and by the X-ray crystal structure determination of the [Ru(CO)(NH2N=CH2)[P(OEt)3]4](BPh4)2 (5) derivative. Acetone-hydrazone [M(CO)[NH2N=C(CH3)2]P4](BPh4)2 (7, 8) complexes were also prepared by allowing hydrazine [M(CO)(NH2NH2)P4](BPh4)2 derivatives to react with acetone.     

Electrospray ionisation mass spectral studies on hydrolysed products of sulfur mustards

Off-site detection of the hydrolysed products of sulfur mustards in aqueous samples is an important task in the verification of Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)-related chemicals. The hydrolysed products of sulfur mustards are studied under positive and negative electrospray ionisation (ESI) conditions using an additive with a view to detecting them at trace levels. In the presence of cations (Li(+), Na(+), K(+) and NH(4) (+)), the positive ion ESI mass spectra of all the compounds include the corresponding cationised species; however, only the [M+NH(4)](+) ions form [M+H](+) ions upon decomposition. The tandem mass (MS/MS) spectra of [M+H](+) ions from all the hydrolysed products of the sulfur mustard homologues were distinct and allowed these compounds to be characterised unambiguously. Similarly, the negative ion ESI mass spectra of all the compounds show prominent adducts with added anions (F(-), Cl(-), Br(-), and I(-)), but the [M-H](-) ion can only be generated by decomposition of an [M+F](-) ion. The MS/MS spectra of the [M-H](-) ions from all the compounds result in a common product ion at m/z 77. A precursor ion scan of m/z 77 is shown to be useful in the rapid screening of these compounds in aqueous samples at trace levels, even in the presence of complex masking agents, without the use of time-consuming sample preparation and chromatography steps. An MS/MS method developed to measure the detection limits of the hydrolysed products of sulfur mustards found these to be in the range of 10-500 ppb.     

Generation of alkoxide anions from a series of aliphatic diols and alcohols and their ion-molecule reactions with carbon dioxide in the gas phase

Alkoxide anions, [M-H](-) from a series of aliphatic diols and alcohols are generated in the source under negative ion electrospray ionisation conditions by cone-voltage fragmentation of the corresponding [M + F](-) ions. The collision-induced dissociation (CID) spectra of [M-H](-) ions consist of [M-H-2H](-) ions, in addition to the other characteristic fragment ions, and the relative abundance of [M-H-2H(-) ions among the series of diols varies as a function of chain length that could be explained based on their stabilities through intramolecular hydrogen bonding. The reactivity of alkoxide anions is studied through ion-molecule reactions with CO(2) in the collision cell of a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. All the alkoxide anions reacted with CO(2) and formed corresponding carbonate anions, [M-H + CO(2)](-) ions. The reactivity of alkoxide anions within the series of diols also reflected the stability of their [M-H](-) ions.     

液相色谱-大气压化学电离质谱法分析人参中的人参皂甙

研究了用反相高效液相色谱-大气压化学电离质谱(HPLC/APCI-MS)分析人参皂甙的方法。液相色谱采用乙腈-水流动相进行梯度洗脱,质谱采用正负离子同时扫描并结合二级质谱进行定性,用选择反应离子模式(SRM)测定检测限。实验发现虽然人参皂甙是热不稳定物质,但在大气压化学电离质谱的高温汽化过程中仍能检测到很强的负离子分子离子峰,而且随着汽化温度的升高,人参皂甙的负离子分子离子峰的强度增加。该方法对人参皂甙Rb1和Rg1的检测限分别为1.2×10-13 g和3.0×10-14 g,并检测出白参中包括丙二酰人参皂甙在内的29种人参皂甙。该法灵敏度高,重复性好,结果准确,能有效地对药材提取物中的多种人参皂甙进行检测和结构分析。     

Regioselective HON-addition of bifunctional hydrazone oximes to Pt(IV)-bound nitriles

Treatment of trans-[PtCl(4)(RCN)(2)](R = Me, Et) with the hydrazone oximes MeC(=NOH)C(R')=NNH(2)(R' = Me, Ph) at 45 degrees C in CH(2)Cl(2) led to the formation of trans-[PtCl(4)(NH=C(R)ON=C(Me)C(R')=NNH(2))(2)](R/R' = Me/Ph 1, Et/Me 2, Et/Ph 3) due to the regioselective OH-addition of the bifunctional MeC(=NOH)C(R')=NNH(2) to the nitrile group. The reaction of 3 and Ph(3)P=CHCO(2)Me allows the formation of the Pt(II) complex trans-[PtCl(2)(NH=C(Et)ON=C(Me)C(Ph)=NNH(2))2](4). In 4, the imine ligand was liberated by substitution with 2 equivalents of bis(1,2-diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe) in CDCl(3) to give, along with the free ligand, the solid [Pt(dppe)(2)]Cl(2). The free iminoacyl hydrazone, having a restricted life-time, decomposes at 20-25 degrees C in about 20 h to the parent organonitrile and the hydrazone oxime. The Schiff condensation of the free NH(2) groups of 4 with aromatic aldehydes, i.e. 2-OH-5-NO(2)-benzaldehyde and 4-NO(2)-benzaldehyde, brings about the formation of the platinum(II) complexes trans-[PtCl(2)(NH=C(Et)ON=C(Me)C(Ph)=NN=CH(C(6)H(3)-2-OH-5-NO(2))2](5) and trans-[PtCl(2)(NH=C(Et)ON=C(Me)C(Ph)=NN=CH(C(6)H(4)-4-NO(2))2](6), respectively, containing functionalized remote peripherical groups. Metallization of 5, which can be considered as a novel type of metallaligand, was achieved by its reaction with M(OAc)(2).nH(2)O (M = Cu, n= 2; M = Co, n= 4) in a 1:1 molar ratio furnishing solid heteronuclear compounds with composition [Pt]:[M]= 1:1. The complexes were characterized by C, H, N elemental analyses, FAB+ mass-spectrometry, IR, 1H, 13C[1H] and (195)Pt NMR spectroscopies; X-ray structures were determined for 3, 4 and 5.     

Kinetic origin of the chelate effect. Base hydrolysis, H-exchange reactivity, and structures of syn,anti-[Co(cyclen)(NH3)2]3+ and syn,anti-[Co(cyclen)(diamine)]3+ ions (diamine = H2N(CH2)2NH2, H2N(CH2)3NH2)

The synthesis of syn,anti-[Co(cyclen)en](ClO4)3 (1(ClO4)3) and syn,anti-[Co(cyclen)tn](ClO4)3 (2(ClO4)3) is reported, as are single-crystal X-ray structures for syn,anti-[Co(cyclen)(NH3)2](ClO4)3 (3(ClO4)3). 3(ClO4)3: orthorhombic, Pnma, a = 17.805(4) A, b = 12.123(3) A, c = 9.493(2) A, alpha = beta = gamma = 90 degrees, Z = 4, R1 = 0.030. 1(ClO4)3: monoclinic, P2(1)/n, a = 8.892(2) A, b = 15.285(3) A, c = 15.466(3) A, alpha = 90 degrees, beta = 91.05(3) degrees, gamma = 90 degrees, Z = 4, R1 = 0.0657. 2Br3: orthorhombic, Pca2(1) a = 14.170(4) A, b = 10.623(3) A, c = 12.362(4) A, alpha = beta = gamma = 90 degrees, Z = 4, R1 = 0.0289. Rate constants for H/D exchange (D2O, I = 1.0 M, NaClO4, 25 degrees C) of the syn and anti NH protons (rate law: kobs = ko + kH[OD-]) and the apical NH, and the NH3 and NH2 protons (rate law: kobs = kH[OD-]) in the 1, 2, and 3 cations are reported. Deprotonation constants (K = [Co(cyclen-H)(diamine)2+]/[Co(cyclen)(diamine)3+][OH-]) were determined for 1 (5.5 +/- 0.5 M-1) and 2 (28 +/- 3 M-1). In alkaline solution 1, 2, and 3 hydrolyze to [Co(cyclen)(OH)2]+ via [Co(cyclen)(amine)OH)]2+ monodentates. Hydrolysis of 3 is two step: kobs(1) = kOH(1)[OH-], kobs(2) = ko + kOH(2)[OH-] (kOH(1) = (2.2 +/- 0.4) x 10(4) M-1 s-1, ko = (5.1 +/- 1.2) x 10(-4) s-1, kOH(2) = 1.0 +/- 0.1 M-1 s-1). Hydrolysis of 2 is biphasic: kobs(1) = k1K[OH-]/(1 + K[OH-] (k1 = 5.0 +/- 0.2 s-1, K = 28 M-1), kobs(2) = k2K2[OH-]/(1 + K2[OH-]) (k2 = 3.5 +/- 1.2 s-1, K2 = 1.2 +/- 0.8 M-1). Hydrolysis of 1 is monophasic: kobs = k1k2KK2[OH-]2/(1 + K[OH-1])(k-1 + k2K2[OH-]) (k1 = 0.035 +/- 0.004 s-1, k-1 = 2.9 +/- 0.6 s-1, K = 5.5 M-1, k2K2 = 4.0 M-1 s-1). The much slower rate of chelate ring-opening in 1, compared to loss of NH3 from 3, is rationalized in terms of a reduced ability of the former system to allow the bond angle expansion required to produce the SN1CB trigonal bipyramidal intermediate.     

Halogeno-substituted 2-aminobenzoic acid derivatives for negative ion fragmentation studies of N-linked carbohydrates

Negative ion electrospray mass spectra of high-mannose N-linked glycans derivatised with 2-aminobenzoic acids and ionised from solutions containing ammonium hydroxide gave prominent [M-H](-) ions accompanied by weaker [M-2H](2-) ions. Fragmentation of both types of ions gave prominent singly charged glycosidic cleavage ions containing the derivatised reducing terminus and ions from the non-reducing terminus that appeared to be products of cross-ring cleavages. Differentiation of these two groups of ions was conveniently achieved in a single spectrum by use of chloro- or bromo-substituted benzoic acids in order to label ions containing the derivative with an atom with a distinctive isotope pattern. Fragmentation of the doubly charged ions gave more abundant fragments, both singly and doubly charged, than did fragmentation of the singly charged ions, but information of chain branching was masked by the appearance of prominent ions produced by internal cleavages.     

Comparison of the positive and negative ion electrospray mass spectra of some small peptides containing pyroglutamate

The positive ion electrospray mass spectra of [M+H](+) and the negative ion electrospray mass spectra of [M-H](-) ions of selected pyroglutamate containing peptides both provide sequencing data. The negative ion spectra show the normal alpha and beta backbone cleavages in addition to delta and gamma backbone cleavages initiated by the side chains of Glu and Phe residues. For example, the [M-H](-) ion of pGlu Pro Gln Val Phe Val-NH(2) shows delta and gamma peaks at m/z 224 (delta, Gln3), 244 (gamma, Phe4), 451 (delta, Phe4), 471 (gamma, Gln3). Some of the negative ion spectra show unusual grandaughter peaks that originate by alpha and beta, or delta and gamma backbone cleavages of a beta(1) cleavage ion.     

Mass spectrometry characterization of Escherichia coli K4 oligosaccharides from 2-mers to more than 20-mers

The separation and characterization of oligosaccharides obtained by hyaluronidase [E.C. 3.2.1.35] digestion of Escherichia coli K4 polysaccharide using online high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI-MS) are presented. Complete identification and structural information for oligosaccharides containing 2-24 monomers (from 2- to 24-mers) were obtained. In particular, smaller K4 species, from 2-mers to 4-mers, exhibited mainly [M-H](-1) anions, whereas the 6- to 8-mers existed predominantly at the charge state of -2. The K4 oligomers from 10-mers to 14-mers were mainly represented by [M-3H](-3) anions while species from 16- to 20-mers were characterized by a charge state of -4. K4 oligosaccharides from 22- to 24-mers existed as [M-4H](-4) and [M-5H](-5) anions and, for this latter species, ions having a charge state of -6 appeared. For smaller K4 species, in particular from 6-mers to 10-mers, ESI-MS revealed anions related to the loss of one monosaccharide unit from the oligomers due to apparent collisional activation and ion source fragmentation. However, no odd-numbered anions were produced for K4 2/4-mer species or for oligosaccharides greater than 12-mers, while for K4 species 8/10-mer, ESI-MS revealed odd-numbered anions generally in low relative abundance making the interpretation of the spectra easier. The ESI-MS spectra of oligosaccharides separated by online HPLC were applied to the evaluation of the K4 polymerization process, confirming that the addition of fructose units is not critical for chain elongation as variously fructosylated oligomer species were detected directly on the K4 carbohydrate backbone.     

Fragmentation of the deprotonated ions of peptides containing cysteine, cysteine sulfinic acid, cysteine sulfonic acid, aspartic acid, and glutamic acid

We examined the fragmentation of the electrospray-produced [M-H]- and [M-2H]2- ions of a number of peptides containing two acidic amino acid residues, one being aspartic acid (Asp) or glutamic acid (Glu), and the other being cysteine sulfinic acid [C(SO2H)] or cysteine sulfonic acid [C(SO3H)], on an ion-trap mass spectrometer. We observed facile neutral losses of H2S and H2SO2 from the side chains of cysteine and C(SO2H), respectively, whereas the corresponding elimination of H2SO3 from the side chain of C(SO3H) was undetectable for most peptides that we investigated. In addition, the collisional activation of the [M-H]- ions of the C(SO2H)-containing peptides resulted in the cleavage of the amide bond on the C-terminal side of the C(SO2H) residue. Moreover, collisional activation of the [M-2H]2- ions of the above Asp-containing peptides led to the cleavage of the backbone N-Calpha bond of the Asp residue to give cn and/or its complementary [zn-H2O] ions. Similar cleavage also occurred for the singly deprotonated ions of the otherwise identical peptides with a C-terminal amide functionality, but not for the [M-H]- ions of same peptides with a free C-terminal carboxylic acid. Furthermore, ab initio calculation results for model cleavage reactions are consistent with the selective cleavage of the backbone N-Calpha bond in the Asp residue.     

Analysis of 8-aminonaphthalene-1,3,6-trisulfonate-derivatized oligosaccharides by capillary electrophoresis-electrospray ionization quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry.

Dextran was partially hydrolyzed with 0.1 mol/l HCl and the hydrolysate was derivatized with 8-aminonaphthalene-1,3,6-trisulfonate (ANTS) by reductive amination. The derivatized-oligosaccharide mixture was separated by capillary electrophoresis (CE) in a buffer of 1% HAc-NH4OH, pH 3.4, and the separated components were detected on-line by electrospray ionization quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry (ESI-QIT-MS) in the negative ion mode. A mass accuracy lower than 0.01% could be achieved and as low as 1.6 pmol of detxran octaose could be detected. ANTS-derivatized dextran oligosaccharide with a degree of polymerization (DP) lower than 6 produced both [M-H]- and [M-2H]2- ions, whereas those with a DP of 6 or higher than 6 produced only [M-2H]2- ion. As 1< or =DP< or =6, the percentage of [M-2H]2- ion in the total ions of [M-H]- and [M-2H]2- was found to be a linear function of the logarithmic DP. Molecular mass determination with ESI-QIT-MS strengthens the power of CE analysis of oligosaccharides.     

Even-electron ions: a systematic study of the neutral species lost in the dissociation of quasi-molecular ions

The collision-induced dissociations of the even-electron [M + H](+) and/or [M - H](-) ions of 121 model compounds (mainly small aromatic compounds with one to three functional groups) ionized by electrospray ionization (ESI) or atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) have been studied using an ion trap instrument, and the results are compared with the literature data. While some functional groups (such as COOH, COOCH(3), SO(3)H in the negative ion mode, or NO(2) in both the positive and negative ion modes) generally promote the loss of neutrals that are characteristic as well as specific, other functional groups (such as COOH in the positive ion mode) give rise to the loss of neutrals that are characteristic, but not specific. Finally, functional groups such as OH and NH(2) in aromatic compounds do not lead to the loss of a neutral that reflects the presence of these substituents. In general, the dissociation of [M + H](+) and [M - H](-) ions generated from aliphatic compounds or compounds containing an aliphatic moiety obeys the even-electron rule (loss of a molecule), but deviations from this rule (loss of a radical) are sometimes observed for aromatic compounds, in particular for nitroaromatic compounds. Thermochemical data and ab initio calculations at the CBS-QB3 level of theory provide an explanation for these exceptions. When comparing the dissociation behaviour of the even-electron [M + H](+) and/or [M - H](-) ions (generated by ESI or APCI) with that of the corresponding odd-electron [M](+) ions (generated by electron ionization, EI), three cases may be distinguished: (1) the dissociation of the two ionic species differs completely; (2) the dissociation involves the loss of a common neutral, yielding product ions differing in mass by one Da, or (3) the dissociations lead to a common product ion.     

Characteristic negative ion fragmentations of deprotonated peptides containing post-translational modifications: mono-phosphorylated Ser, Thr and Tyr. A joint experimental and theoretical study

Peptides and proteins may contain post-translationally modified phosphorylated amino acid residues, in particular phosphorylated serine (pSer), threonine (pThr) and tyrosine (pTyr). Following earlier work by Lehmann et al., the [M-H]- anions of peptides containing pSer and pThr functionality show loss of the elements of H3PO4. This process, illustrated for Ser (and using a model system), is CH3CONH-C(CH2OPO3H2)CONHCH(3) --> [CH3CONHC(==CH2)CONHCH3 (-OPO3H2)] (a) --> [CH3CONHC(==CH2)CONHCH3-H]- + H3PO4, a process endothermic by 83 kJ mol(-1) at the MP2/6-31++G(d,p)//HF/6-31++G(d,p) level of theory. In addition, intermediate (a) may decompose to yield CH3CONHC(==CH2)CONHCH3 + H2PO4 - in a process exothermic by 3 kJ mol(-1). The barrier to the transition state for these two processes is 49 kJ mol(-1). Characteristic cleavages of pSer and pThr are more energetically favourable than the negative ion backbone cleavages of peptides described previously. In contrast, loss of HPO3 from [M-H]- is characteristic of pTyr. The cleavage [NH2CH(CH2-C6H4-OPO3H-)CO2H] --> [NH2C(CH2-C6H4-O-)CO2H (HPO3)] (b) --> NH2CH(CH2-C6H4-O-)CO2H + HPO3 is endothermic by 318 kJ mol(-1) at the HF/6-31+G(d)//AM1 level of theory. In addition, intermediate (b) also yields NH2CH(CH2-C6H4-OH)CO2H + PO3 - (reaction endothermic by 137 kJ mol(-1)). The two negative ion cleavages of pTyr have a barrier to the transition state of 198 kJ mol(-1) (at the HF/6-31+G(d)//AM1 level of theory) comparable with those already reported for negative ion backbone cleavages.     

Tandem mass spectra of transition-metal ion adducts of glycosyl dithioacetals; distinction among stereoisomers

Electrospray ionization mass spectra of some glycosyl dithioacetals recorded in the presence of transition-metal chlorides, XCl2 (where X = Co, Mn and Zn), give abundant adduct ions such as [M+XCl]+ and [2M-H+X]+ and minor ions such as [M-H+X]+ and [2M+XCl]+. The tandem mass spectra of these adducts show characteristic elimination of neutral molecules such as H2O, HCl, EtSH, CH2O, C2H4O2/C2H4O. [M+XCl]+ ions fragment readily and the fragmentation appears to be stereochemically controlled as the relative abundances of the fragments are different for three stereoisomers. The added metal is lost as neutral molecules in the form of XCl(OH) and XCl(SEt). This is a predominant pathway in the ZnCl+ adducts. [2M+XCl]+ ions fragment preferentially by elimination of HCl, indicating strong metal interactions in the resulting dimeric [2M-H+X]+ ion. As there are several electron-rich centers in the molecule, the dimeric complex [2M-H+X]+ can have several structures and the observed fragmentations may reflect the sum of those of all these structures. The dimeric complexes fragment by elimination of neutral molecules leaving the dimeric interactions intact. The extent of fragmentation varies for the stereoisomers, leading to stereochemical differentiation.     

Oxidation of [Ru(NH3)5isn](BF4)2 by hyochlorous acid and chlorine in aqueous acidic media

UV-vis stopped-flow studies of the reaction of [Ru(NH3)5isn](2+) (isn = isonicotinamide) with excess HOCl at 25 degrees C demonstrate that it proceeds in two time-resolved steps. In the first step [Ru(NH3)5isn](3+) is produced with the rate law -d[Ru(II)]/dt = 2(aK(h)[H(+)] + b[H(+)][Cl(-)] + c[Cl(-)])[HOCl](tot)[Ru(II)]/(K(h) + [H(+)][Cl(-)]). Here, K(h) is 1.3 x 10(-3) M(2) and corresponds to the equilibrium hydrolysis of Cl2, a is (8.34 +/- 0.19) x 10(3) M(-2) s(-1) and represents the acid-assisted reduction of HOCl, b is (4.04 +/- 0.13) x 10(4) M(-1) s(-1) and represents the reduction of Cl2, and c is (6.25 +/- 0.59) x 10(2) s(-1) and represents the Cl(-)-assisted reduction of HOCl. In the second step [Ru(NH3)5isn](3+) undergoes further oxidation to a mixture of products with the rate law -d[Ru(III)]/dt = e[Ru(III)][HOCl]/[H(+)] where e is (1.18 +/- 0.01) x 10(-2) s(-1). This step is assigned a mechanism with Cl(+) transfer from HOCl to [Ru(III)(NH3)4(NH2)isn](2+) occurring in the rate-limiting step. These results underline the resistance of HOCl to act as a simple outer-sphere one-electron oxidant.     

Tools to discover anionic and nonionic polyfluorinated alkyl surfactants by liquid chromatography electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry

A tiered approach is proposed for the discovery of unknown anionic and nonionic polyfluorinated alkyl surfactants (PFASs) by reversed phase ultra high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC)--negative electrospray ionisation--quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI(-)-QTOF-MS). The chromatographic separation, ionisation and detection of PFASs mixtures, was achieved at high pH (pH=9.7) with NH(4)OH as additive. To distinguish PFASs from other chemicals we used the characteristic negative mass defects of PFASs, their specific losses of 20 Da (HF) and the presence of series of chromatographic peaks, belonging to homologues series with m/z of n×50 Da (CF(2)) or n×100 Da (CF(2)CF(2)). The elemental composition of the precursor ions were deducted from the accurate m/z values of the deprotonated molecules [M-H](-). In case of in-source fragmentation, the presence of dimers, e.g. [M(2)-H](-) and adduct ions such as [M-H+solvent](-) and [(M-H)(M-H+Na)(n)](-) were used to confirm the identity of the precursor ions. In relation to quantification of PFASs, we discuss how their surfactancy influence the ESI processes, challenge their handling in solution and choices of precursor-to-product ions for MSMS of e.g., structural PFAS isomers. The method has been used to discover PFASs in industrial blends and in extracts from food contact materials.     

Characterization of alpha- and gamma-glutamyl dipeptides by negative ion collision-induced dissociation

The low-energy CID mass spectra of the [M-H](-) ions of a variety of dipeptides containing glutamic acid have been obtained using cone-voltage collisional activation. Dipeptides with the gamma-linkage, H-Glu(Xxx-OH)-OH, are readily distinguished from those with the alpha-linkage, H-Glu-Xxx-OH, by the much more prominent elimination of H-Xxx-OH from the [M-H](-) ions of the former isomers, resulting in formation of m/z 128, presumably deprotonated pyroglutamic acid. Dipeptides with the reverse linkage, H-Xxx-Glu-OH, show distinctive fragmentation reactions of the [M-H](-) ions including enhanced elimination of CO(2) and formation of deprotonated glutamic acid. Exchange of the labile hydrogens for deuterium has shown that there is considerable interchange of C-bonded hydrogens with labile (N- and O-bonded) hydrogens prior to most fragmentation reactions. All dipeptides show loss of H(2)O from [M-H](-). MS(3) studies show that the [M-H-H(2)O](-) ion derived from H-Glu-Gly-OH has the structure of deprotonated pyroglutamylglycine while the [M-H-H(2)O](-) ions derived from H-Glu(Gly-OH)-OH and H-Gly-Glu-OH show a different fragmentation behaviour indicating distinct structures for the fragment ions.