Sample preparation for high throughput accurate mass analysis by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

An automated sample preparation for high throughput accurate mass determinations by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS) has been developed. Sample preparation was performed with an automated workstation and automated mass analyses were performed with a commercial MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer. The method was tested with a 41-sample library. MALDI-TOFMS was found to give the needed sensitivity, accurate mass measurement, and soft ionization necessary for structure confirmation, even of mixtures. A mass accuracy of 5 ppm or less was obtained in over 80% of known compound measurements. A mass accuracy better than 10 ppm was obtained for all measurements of known compounds. Analyses of parallel synthesis products resulted in 77% of the measurements with a mass accuracy of 5 ppm or better.     

High-Resolution Infrared Synchrotron Investigation of (HCN)2 and a Semi-Experimental Determination of the Dissociation Energy D0

The high-resolution infrared absorption spectrum of the donor bending fundamental band ν of the homodimer (HCN)₂ has been collected by long-path static gas-phase Fourier transform spectroscopy at 207 K employing the highly brilliant 2.75 GeV electron storage ring source at Synchrotron SOLEIL. The rovibrational structure of the ν transition has the typical appearance of a perpendicular type band associated with a Σ–Π transition for a linear polyatomic molecule. The total number of 100 assigned transitions are fitted employing a standard semi-rigid linear molecule Hamiltonian, providing the band origin ν₀ of 779.05182(50) cm⁻¹ together with spectroscopic parameters for the degenerate excited state. This band origin, blue-shifted by 67.15 cm⁻¹ relative to the HCN monomer, provides the final significant contribution to the change of intra-molecular vibrational zero-point energy upon HCN dimerization. The combination with the vibrational zero-point energy contribution determined recently for the class of large-amplitude inter-molecular fundamental transitions then enables a complete determination of the total change of vibrational zero-point energy of 3.35±0.30 kJ mol⁻¹. The new spectroscopic findings together with previously reported benchmark CCSDT(Q)/CBS electronic energies [Hoobler et al. ChemPhysChem. 19 , 3257–3265 (2018)] provide the best semi-experimental estimate of 16.48±0.30 kJ mol⁻¹ for the dissociation energy D₀ of this prototypical homodimer.     

Photochemically induced fluorescence investigation of aβ-cyclodextrin: Azure A inclusion complex and determination of analytical parameters

The photooxidation of Azure A and fluorescence properties of Azure A and its photoproduct have been investigated in aqueous media and in the presence of-cyclodextrin (-CD). The fluorescence intensity of the complex formed between the photoproduct and -CD was found to be three times higher than that of the uncomplexed Azure A photoproduct. A complex formation constant of 110±40 M^–1 was calculated using the Benesi-Hildebrand treatment of the fluorescence emission data. Although the stoichiometry of the Azure A photoproduct: -CD complex was found to be 1: 1, it seems that the Azure A structure is only partially included. Calibration graphs were plotted for the free Azure A photoproduct and the photogenerated product included in -CD. The analytical parameters and quantification limits were determined.     

Synthesis of α-2′-deoxynucleosides

α-Thymidine (4) was synthesized from thymidine (1) in 3 steps in 36% overall yield without using chro-matography and with the possibility of increasing the yield to 85% by reusing the remaining α,β-mixture. 1-(2-Deoxy-3,5-di-O-p-toluoyl-α-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)thymine (3) was further converted to 1-(2-deoxy-α-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-5-methylcytosine (5) .     

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer between quantum dot donors and dye-labeled protein acceptors

We used luminescent CdSe-ZnS core-shell quantum dots (QDs) as energy donors in fluorescent resonance energy transfer (FRET) assays. Engineered maltose binding protein (MBP) appended with an oligohistidine tail and labeled with an acceptor dye (Cy3) was immobilized on the nanocrystals via a noncovalent self-assembly scheme. This configuration allowed accurate control of the donor-acceptor separation distance to a range smaller than 100 A and provided a good model system to explore FRET phenomena in QD-protein-dye conjugates. This QD-MBP conjugate presents two advantages: (1) it permits one to tune the degree of spectral overlap between donor and acceptor and (2) provides a unique configuration where a single donor can interact with several acceptors simultaneously. The FRET signal was measured for these complexes as a function of both degree of spectral overlap and fraction of dye-labeled proteins in the QD conjugate. Data showed that substantial acceptor signals were measured upon conjugate formation, indicating efficient nonradiative exciton transfer between QD donors and dye-labeled protein acceptors. FRET efficiency can be controlled either by tuning the QD photoemission or by adjusting the number of dye-labeled proteins immobilized on the QD center. Results showed a clear dependence of the efficiency on the spectral overlap between the QD donor and dye acceptor. Apparent donor-acceptor distances were determined from efficiency measurements and corresponding F?rster distances, and these results agreed with QD bioconjugate dimensions extracted from structural data and core size variations among QD populations.     

A microcomputer aided microwave spectrometer controlled by a larger computer

Hewlett-Packard 8460A microwave spectrometer has been connected to a microcomputer based on the Motorola MC6800 microprocessor. The microcomputer is programmed to control frequency and Stark voltage and to perform $\text{A}\text{D}$ conversion, storage and accumulation of intensities.The microcomputer is connected to a larger local computer, the RC4000, from which it may be loaded with a program, started and stopped, and from which data transfer between the storages of the two computers is controlled. This transfer may be performed, while the microcomputer is running a spectrum.     

Field ionization mass spectrometry as a facile method for the study of the thermal formation of radicals

Electron impact spectra of thermolysis products of organic salts heated in the ion source of a mass spectrometer may give rise to organic ions corresponding to the cation of the salt. Field ionization mass spectrometry has been used as a facile method for detemining whether such an ion is due to ionization of the corresponding radical present in the gas phase, or to an electron impact induced fragmentation of a reaction product of higher mass. By comparison of the electron impact and field ionization spectra of a series of N-methyl pyridinium, tropylium and 1,2-dithiolylium salts it has been found possible to identify the radicals formed thermolytically, when present.     

Förster Resonance Energy Transfer Investigations Using Quantum‐Dot Fluorophores

F?rster resonance energy transfer (FRET), which involves the nonradiative transfer of excitation energy from an excited donor fluorophore to a proximal ground-state acceptor fluorophore, is a well-characterized photophysical tool. It is very sensitive to nanometer-scale changes in donor-acceptor separation distance and their relative dipole orientations. It has found a wide range of applications in analytical chemistry, protein conformation studies, and biological assays. Luminescent semiconductor nanocrystals (quantum dots, QDs) are inorganic fluorophores with unique optical and spectroscopic properties that could enhance FRET as an analytical tool, due to broad excitation spectra and tunable narrow and symmetric photoemission. Recently, there have been several FRET investigations using luminescent QDs that focused on addressing basic fundamental questions, as well as developing targeted applications with potential use in biology, including sensor design and protein conformation studies. Herein, we provide a critical review of those developments. We discuss some of the basic aspects of FRET applied to QDs as both donors and acceptors, and highlight some of the advantages offered (and limitations encountered) by QDs as energy donors and acceptors compared to conventional dyes. We also review the recent developments made in using QD bioreceptor conjugates to design FRET-based assays.