Determination of nerve agent metabolites in human urine by isotope-dilution gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry after solid phase supported derivatization

A simple and sensitive method has been developed and validated for determining ethyl methylphosphonic acid (EMPA), isopropyl methylphosphonic acid (IMPA), isobutyl methylphosphonic acid (iBuMPA), and pinacolyl methylphosphonic acid (PMPA) in human urine using gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) coupled with solid phase derivatization (SPD). These four alkyl methylphosphonic acids (AMPAs) are specific hydrolysis products and biomarkers of exposure to classic organophosphorus (OP) nerve agents VX, sarin, RVX, and soman. The AMPAs in urine samples were directly derivatized with pentafluorobenzyl bromide on a solid support and then extracted by liquid–liquid extraction. The analytes were quantified with isotope-dilution by negative chemical ionization (NCI) GC-MS/MS in a selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode. This method is highly sensitive, with the limits of detection of 0.02 ng/mL for each compound in a 0.2 mL sample of human urine, and an excellent linearity from 0.1 to 50 ng/mL. It is proven to be very suitable for the qualitative and quantitative analyses of degradation markers of OP nerve agents in biomedical samples.     

Turn-on fluorescence sensor for mono- and di-phosphonic acid derivatives using anthracene-based diamidine and its detection of amidinium-phosphonate and amidinium formation

The fluorescence detection of di-phosphonic acid and mono-phosphonic acid derivatives using the anthracene-based diamidine 1 has been investigated. The diamidine 1 forms 1:1 and 1:2 complexes with the di-phosphonic acid and mono-phosphonic acid derivatives, respectively, and showed a blue fluorescence (λ_em = 432–442 nm) in a DMSO solution. The formation of amidinium-phosphonate (complex formation) and dissociated amidinum (λ_em = 468 nm as a broad band) were distinguished by the difference in the fluorescence wavelength, and confirmed by DOSY NMR spectroscopy and TD-DFT calculations. The formation of a 1:2 complex with diamidine 1 and methylphosphonic acid having additional intermolecular hydrogen-bonding between the methylphosphonic acids is proposed.     

Synthese des substances de groupe sanguin—IX: Une synthese du 2-o-(α-l-fucopyranosyl)-3-o-(α-d-galactopyranosyl)-d-galactose,le determinant antigenique du groupe sanguin b

The trisaccharide 2-O-(α-L-fucopyranosyl)-3-O-(α-D-galactopyranosyl)-D-galactose has been synthesised stereospecifically using the imidate procedure. Allyl 3-O-benzoyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-β-D-galactopyranoside was first α-L-fucosylated by 1-O-(N-methyl)-acetimidyl-2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-β-L-fucopyranose then, after O-debenzoylation, α-D-galactosylated by 1-O-(N-methyl)-acetimidyl 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-β-D-galactopyranose. The resulting tri-saccharide has also been obtained from allyl 2-O-benzoyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-β-D-galactopyranoside after α-D-galactosylation, O-debenzoylation and α-L-fucosylation. The glycosylations were performed at room temperature in nitromethane in the presence of p-toluenesulfonic acid. Deallylation followed by catalytic hydrogenolysis gave the B blood-group antigenic determinant. The allyl group was also selectively transformed into hydroxyethyl group.     

Low-Temperature Thermal Formation of the Cyclic Methylphosphonic Acid Trimer [c-(CH3PO2)3]

We report the formation of the cyclic methylphosphonic acid trimer [c-(CH₃PO₂)₃] through condensation reactions during thermal processing of low-temperature methylphosphonic acid samples exploiting photoionization reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry (PI−ReTOF−MS) along with electronic structure calculations. Cyclic methylphosphonic acid trimers are formed in the solid state and detected together with its protonated species in the gas phase upon single photon ionization. Our studies provide an understanding of the preparation of phosphorus-bearing potentially prebiotic molecules and the fundamental knowledge of low-temperature phosphorus chemistry in extraterrestrial environments.     

Determination of Methylphosphonic Acid in Human Blood Plasma by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Using high-performance liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometric detection, an approach has been developed for the determination of the most stable nerve agent biomarker, methylphosphonic acid, in human blood plasma. The proposed method is based on the derivatization of methylphosphonic acid with p-bromophenacyl bromide. The optimization of conditions for human plasma sample preparation, mass spectrometric detection conditions, and gradient elution program has been performed. The proposed approach has demonstrated satisfactory reproducibility and selectivity of the determination; the limit of detection for methylphosphonic acid in human plasma was 3 ng mL^–1.     

Reactivity of sarcosine and 1,3-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid towards salicylaldehyde-derived alkynes and allenes

The reaction of sarcosine and 1,3-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid with salicylaldehyde-derived alkynes and allenes opened the way to new chromeno[4,3-b]pyrrole and chromeno[2,3-b]pyrrole derivatives. Tetrahydro-chromeno[4,3-b]pyrroles were obtained from the reaction of these secondary amino acids with O-propargylsalicylaldehyde. Interestingly, sarcosine reacted with ethyl 4-(2-formylphenoxy)but-2-ynoate to give a monocyclic pyrrole resulting from rearrangement of the initially formed 1,3-dipolar cycloadduct. Decarboxylative condensation of ethyl 4-(2-formylphenoxy)but-2-ynoate with 1,3-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid afforded in a stereoselective fashion the expected chromeno-pyrrolo[1,2-c]thiazole, which structure was unambiguously established by X-ray crystallography. However, the 1H,3H-pyrrolo[1,2-c]thiazole resulting from the opening of the pyran ring was also isolated. The reaction with O-buta-2,3-dienyl salicylaldehyde afforded 3-methylene-hexahydrochromeno[4,3-b]pyrrole. O-Allenyl salicylaldehyde reacted with sarcosine and 1,3-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid to give a new type of chromeno-pyrroles. A mechanism proposal for the synthesis of these chromeno[2,3-b]pyrroles has been presented.     

Determination of trace amounts of Russian toxic agent VX

Method was developed for detection of residual amounts of Russian toxic agent RVX on metallic surface. The method is based on RVX conversion into O-isobutyl ester of methylphosphonic acid fluoride on a filter impregnated with silver fluoride, followed by detection of the formed derivative using a flame photometer. The method sensitivity has been enhanced by application of a large volume injection (0.20 mL). The method allows determination of RVX levels corresponding to the sanitary regulations and is intended for control measures at the toxic agents elimination establishments and for determination of the Danger grade of metallic waste.     

Synthesis of 3-haloisoxazoles by novel oxidative degradation of the side-chain of 3-(3-halo-isoxazol-5-yl) propionic acids

A novel method for the oxidative degradation of the side-chain of 3-(3-haloisoxazol-5-yl) propionic acids has been developed. The E-3-(3-chloroisoxazol-5-yl) propenoic acid 13a obtained by treatment of the striazolo [2,3-c] quinazolin-4-ium iodide 11a with PhI(OAc)₂ and Bz₂O₂, respectively, and subsequent hydroxysis, has been used for the synthesis of numerous 3-haloisoxazole derivatives.     

First synthesis of 5,6-branched galacto-hexasaccharide,the dimer of the trisaccharide repeating unit of the cell-wall galactans of Bifidobacterium catenulatum YIT 4016

α-d-Galactopyranosyl-(1→6)-[β-d-galactofuranosyl-(1→5)]-β-d-galactofuranosyl-(1→6)-β-d-galactofuranosyl-(1→5)-[α-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→6)]-β-d-galactofuranose, the dimer of the trisaccharide repeating unit of the cell-wall galactans of Bifidobacterium catenulatum YIT 4016, has been synthesized as its dodecyl glycoside 2 by coupling of 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-α-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→6)-[6-O-acetyl-2,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-β-d-galactofuranosyl-(1→5)]-2-O-acetyl-3-O-benzyl-β-d-galactofuranosyl trichloroacetimidate 14 with dodecyl 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-α-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→6)-[2,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-β-d-galactofuranosyl-(1→5)]-2-O-acetyl-3-O-benzyl-β-d-galactofuranoside 16. The trisaccharide trichloroacetimidate donor 14 and trisaccharide acceptor 16 were regiospecifically prepared by employing 3-O-benzyl-1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-d-galactofuranose 4 as the glycosyl acceptor, and isopropyl 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-1-thio-β-d-galactopyranoside 5 and 6-O-acetyl-2,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-β-d-galactofuranosyl trichloroacetimidate 9 as glycosyl donors.     

A scalable chemoenzymatic process for 7-amino-3-[Z-2-(4-methylthiazol-5-yl)vinyl]-3-cephem-4-carboxylic acid (ATCA)

An efficient chemoenzymatic process has been developed for preparation of 7-amino-3-[Z-2-(4-methylthiazol-5-yl)vinyl]-3-cephem-4-carboxylic acid, featuring removal of para-methoxybenzyl by trichloroacetic acid and cleavage of phenylacetyl E-isomer by immobilized penicillin acylase enzyme. The E-isomer of 7-amino-3-[Z-2-(4-methylthiazol-5-yl)vinyl]-3-cephem-4-carboxylic acid could be easily decreased to less than 0.2 % by salt formation. Importantly, trichloroacetic acid and immobilized penicillin acylase enzyme could be recovered and reused. The enzyme reaction could be run in a flow reactor. Only two crystallizations are involved as the purification procedure in the six-step sequence.     

Novel octulosonic acid derivatives in the composite Smallanthus sonchifolius

Two novel octulosonic acid derivatives with a 6,8-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane skeleton that are major water-soluble phenolic compounds were found in the roots of Smallanthus sonchifolius. The structures of these compounds were determined to be (1R,2S,3S,4R,5S,7R)-4-hydroxy-7-hydroxymethyl-3-[3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1-oxo-2-propenyloxy]-6,8-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-5-carboxylic acid (4-O-caffeoyl-2,7-anhydro-d-glycero-β-d-galacto-oct-2-ulopyranosonic acid) and (1R,2S,3R,4R,5S,7R)-2,4-dihydroxy-7-hydroxymethyl-2,3-bis[3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1-oxo-2-propenyloxy]-6,8-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-5-carboxylic acid (4,5-di-O-caffeoyl-2,7-anhydro-d-glycero-β-d-galacto-oct-2-ulopyranosonic acid) by MS, NMR and CD spectral analyses.     

Two novel carbonic acid esters conjugated with oligophenyl glucosides from Rhamnus nakaharai

Two novel carbonic acid esters conjugated with oligomeric phenyl glycosides have been isolated and characterized from the wood of Rhamnus nakaharai. The structures are characterized as 5,7-dihydroxyphthalide 5-O-β-[6-O-{3″-methoxy-4″-O-β-[6?-O-(4?-O-carboxy-3?,5?-dimethoxy)phenyl]glucopyranosyl}phenyl]glucopyranoside (1) and 6-O-{3′-methoxy-4′-O-β-[6″-O-(3?-mercapto-5?-methoxy-4?-O-methylcarboxy)phenyl]glucopyranosyl}phenyl β-glucopyranose (2), namely, rhamnakoside A (1) and B (2), all by NMR and other spectral methods, respectively. They could be a novel case of phase II detoxification products and biogenetic diversity in plant kingdom.     

(o -Hydroxyphenyl)methylphosphonic Acids: Spectrophotometric determination of their pKa values and of the deprotonation sequence

UV/VIS Absorption spectra of nitrosubsituted (o-hydroxyphenyl)methylphosphonic acids (o-(phosphonomethyl)phenols) were measured as a function of pH at 25° in 0.1M NaClo₄ solutions. Computational treatment of the whole set of optical density data between 200 and 500 nm resulted in the determination of the dissociation constants of these polyacids and also of the individual electronic spectra of all the species involved in the deprotonation sequence. The spectral behavior gives information on the structure of the anions formed and consequently the order of the subsequent deprotonation steps could be deduced. For the (2-hydroxy-3-nitro(or 5-nitro)phenyl)methylphosphonic acid and the 2-hydroxy-5-nitro-1,3-phenylenebis(methylphosphonic acid), the phenolic proton dissociates in the last step, while, in the case of (2-hydroxy-3,5-dinitrophenyl)methylphosphonic acid, the last dissociating proton comes from a P? OH group. An intermediate situation is found for (3-chloro-2-hydroxy-5-nitrophenyl)methylphosphonic acid. Generally, the deprotonation sequence is governed by intramolecular H-bonds involving the phenolic OH group.     

Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Interaction between Calcite Crystal and Phosphonic Acid Molecules

The interactions between calcite crystal and seven kinds of phosphonic acids, nitrilotris(methylphosphonic acid) (NTMP), nitrilo‐methyl‐bis(methylphosphonic acid) (NMBMP), N,N‐glycine‐bis(methylphosphonic acid) (GBMP), 1‐ hydroxy‐1,1‐ethylenebis(phosphonic acid) (HEBP), 1‐amino‐1,1‐ethylenebis(phosphonic acid) (AEBP), 1,2‐ethylenediamine‐N,N,N′,N′‐tetrakis(methylphosphonic acid) (EDATMP), and 1,6‐hexylenediamine‐N,N,N′,N′‐tetrakis‐ (methylphosphonic acid) (HDATMP) have been simulated by a molecular dynamics method. The results showed that the binding energy of each scale inhibitor with the (1l?0) (1l?0) face of calcite crystal was higher than that with (104) face, which has been approved by the analysis of pair correlation functions. The sequence of scale inhibition efficiencies for phosphonic acids against calcite scale is as follows: EDATMP>HDATMP>HEBP>NTMP>GBMP>HEBP>NMBMP, and the growth inhibition on the (1l?0) face of calcite was at the leading status. Phosphonic acids deformed during the binding process, and electrovalent bonds formed between the phosphoryl oxygen atoms in phosphonic acids and the calcium ions on calcite crystal.     

Coordination properties of some nickel(II) monophosphono dipeptides species in aqueous solution: The role of phosphonic oxygen in complex stabilization and ligand-fields analysis

Equilibrium studies on the nickel(II) complexes of oxygen and nitrogen donor ligand (monophosphono dipeptides: 1- (N-l-leucylamino)methylphosphonic acid – Leu-Gly(P), and a thioether sulfur donor ligands (monophosphono dipeptides: 1-N-(glycyloamino)-2-(S-benzylthio)ethanephosphonic acid – Gly-(Bz)Cys(P), d(−) and Gly-(Bz)Cys(P), d(+) were performed by potentiometric titration and NIR–Vis spectroscopy. Additionally, the ligand-field parameters (CFM/AOM) were estimated and discussed in the tetragonal distortion framework. The lowest tetragonal distortion was observed in the case of the [NiHL] species, whereas the strongest in the case of [NiL₂] species. In the latter species the ligand-field analysis confirms the coordination of the deprotonated phosphonic groups to the metal ions in both axial positions. In the case of nickel(II) complexes with Gly-(Bz)Cys(P), d(−) or Gly-(Bz)Cys(P), d(+) additional interaction between sulfur donor atom and nickel(II) was suggested.     

A Peroxisome‐Inspired Chemiluminescent Silica Nanodevice for the Intracellular Detection of Biomarkers and Its Application to Insulin‐Sensitizer Screening

The profiling of oxidase‐catalyzed biomarkers is an essential procedure for the diagnosis and precise treatment of metabolic diseases. Inspired by the metabolism of H₂O₂ in peroxisomes, a novel chemiluminescent silica nanodevice (CSN) was designed for the sensitive and selective sensing of intracellular oxidase‐catalyzed biomarkers. Oxidases catalyzed the oxidation of biomarkers followed by the production of H₂O₂, and then the generated H₂O₂ was employed to trigger chemiluminescence of the CSN. Utilizing this nanodevice, we not only accurately quantified intracellular glucose but also developed its further application for facile insulin sensitizer screening. Furthermore, sensitive and multiparametric analysis of oxidase‐catalyzed biomarkers like lactic acid, uric acid, and ethanol was demonstrated. Thus, this peroxisome‐inspired CSN holds great promise for the general diagnosis of metabolic diseases and in drug discovery.     

Preparation of 4-nitrostyrene

The interaction of D,L-1-(4-nitrophenyl)ethanol with SOCl₂ and P₄O₁₀ has been studied. In the reaction of D,L-1-(4-nitrophenyl)ethanol with SOCl₂ a mixture of 1-(4-nitrophenyl)-1-chloroethane, 1,1′-bis-(4-nitrophenyl)diethyl ether, and 4-nitrostyrene (yield 21%) has been formed. The direction of reaction of D,L-1-(4-nitrophenyl)ethanol with P₄O₁₀ in toluene has been affected significantly by the order of reagents addition and the solution concentration. 4-Nitrostyrene has been obtained in the only case: the addition of P₄O₁₀ to diluted solution of D,L-1-(4-nitrophenyl)ethanol and subsequent refluxing. Also the procedure of 4-nitrostyrene preparation via the cleavage of 2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethyl nitrate with alkoxy anion in the alcoholic solution has been upgraded.     

Gas-chromatographic determination of trace <Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>-[2-(<Emphasis Type="Italic">N,N</Emphasis>)-diethylamino)ethyl]methylphosphonothioic acid in water

A procedure is proposed for the gas-chromatographic determination of S-[2-(N,N)-diethylamino) ethyl]methylphosphonothioic acid (monothiol) in water at a level of 5 × 10^?5%. The procedure is based on the extraction of monothiol from water by liquid-liquid extraction, treatment of the extract with isopropanol in the presence of AgNO₃ and with diazomethane to obtain O-isopropyl-O-methyl methylphosphonate, and the chromatographic detection of the derivative obtained with a flame-photometric detector. The relative error of determining monothiol in water does not exceed 35%; the time of analysis is 60 min.     

Simultaneous analysis of sarin, pyridostigmine bromide and their metabolites in rat plasma and urine using HPLC

Summary A method was developed for the separation and quantification of the warfare nerve agent sarin (O-isopropylmethylphosphonoflouridate), its metabolite methylphosphonic acid, the anti nerve agent drug pyridostigmine bromide (PB;3-dimethylaminocarbonyloxy-N-methyl pyridinium bromide) and its metaboliteN-methyl-3-hydroxypyridinium bromide in rat plasma and urine. The method involved using solid phase extraction and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with reversed phase C₁₈ column, and UV detection at 280 nm. The compounds were separated using gradient of 1% to 55% acetonitrile in 0.1% triflouroacetic acid water solution (pH 3.20) at flow rate of 0.9 ml/min in a period of 15 min. The retention times ranged from 4.4–12.1 min. The limits of detection were 50 ng mL⁻¹ for PB andN-methyl-3-hydroxypyridinium bromide, and 10 μg mL⁻¹ for sarin and methylphosphonic acid, while limits of quantitation were between 100 ng mL⁻¹–12 μg mL⁻¹. Average percentage recovery of five spiked samples from plasma were 84.6±8.4, 86.5±9.0, 76.4±8.5, 81.3±8.2, and from urine 78.5±7.9, 76.4±7.8, 74.4±8.4, 80.6±6.8 for sarin, methylphosphonic acid, pyridostigmine bromide andN-methyl-3-hydroxypyridinium bromide, respectively. This method was applied to analyze the above chemicals and metabolites following combined administration in rats.     

Enantiomeric analysis of chiral compounds using phosphorus acid chlorides

New achiral separating bifunctional reagents, dichlorides of methylphosphonic and O-ethyl-thiophophoric acids, have been used for the quantitative determination of the enantiomeric composition of α-amino acids (alanine, valine, proline), secondary alcohols (2-octanol, 2-pentanol, 1-methoxy-2-propanol) and α-phenylethylamine. The determination of the enantiomeric composition of optically active α-amino acids, secondary alcohols, and amines is based on the transformation of compounds into symmetric diastereometers using organophosphorous achiral bifunctional reagents followed by the determination of the derivatives by gas chromatography with a mass spectral detector.