Interstellar Enolization-Acetaldehyde (CH3CHO) and Vinyl Alcohol (H2CCH(OH)) as a Case Study

Owing to the unique conditions in cold molecular clouds, enols—the thermodynamically less stable tautomers of aldehydes and ketones—do not undergo tautomerization to their more stable tautomers in the gas phase because they cannot overcome tautomerization barriers at the low temperatures. Laboratory studies of interstellar analog ices have demonstrated the formation of several keto–enol tautomer pairs in astrochemically relevant ice mixtures over the last years. However, so far only one of them, acetaldehyde−vinyl alcohol, has been detected in deep space. Due to their reactivity with electrophiles, enols can play a crucial role in our understanding of the molecular complexity in the interstellar medium and in comets and meteorites. To study the enolization of aldehydes in interstellar ices by interaction with galactic cosmic rays (GCRs), we irradiated acetaldehyde ices with energetic electrons as proxies of secondary electrons generated in the track of GCRs while penetrating interstellar ices. The results indicate that GCRs can induce enolization of acetaldehyde and that intra- as well as intermolecular processes are relevant. Therefore, enols should be ubiquitous in the interstellar medium and could be searched for using radio telescopes such as ALMA. Once enols are detected and abundances are established, they can serve as tracers for the non-equilibrium chemistry in interstellar ices thus eventually constraining fundamental reaction mechanisms deep inside interstellar ices.     

On the Formation of the Popcorn Flavorant 2,3-Butanedione (CH3COCOCH3) in Acetaldehyde-Containing Interstellar Ices

Acetaldehyde (CH₃CHO) is ubiquitous throughout the interstellar medium and has been observed in cold molecular clouds, star forming regions, and in meteorites such as Murchison. As the simplest methyl-bearing aldehyde, acetaldehyde constitutes a critical precursor to prebiotic molecules such as the sugar deoxyribose and amino acids via the Strecker synthesis. In this study, we reveal the first laboratory detection of 2,3-butanedione (diacetyl, CH₃COCOCH₃) – a butter and popcorn flavorant – synthesized within acetaldehyde-based interstellar analog ices exposed to ionizing radiation at 5 K. Detailed isotopic substitution experiments combined with tunable vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photoionization of the subliming molecules demonstrate that 2,3-butanedione is formed predominantly via the barrier-less radical–radical reaction of two acetyl radicals (CH₃ĊO). These processes are of fundamental importance for a detailed understanding of how complex organic molecules (COMs) are synthesized in deep space thus constraining the molecular structures and complexity of molecules forming in extraterrestrial ices containing acetaldehyde through a vigorous galactic cosmic ray driven non-equilibrium chemistry.     

Charge Transfer and Metastable Ion Dissociation of Multiply Charged Molecular Cations Observed by Using Reflectron Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

A multiply charged molecule expands the range of a mass window and is utilized as a precursor to provide rich sequence coverage; however, reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometer has not been well applied to the product ion analysis of multiply charged precursor ions. Here, we demonstrate that the range of the mass-to-charge ratio of measurable product ions is limited in the cases of multiply charged precursor ions. We choose C₆F₆ as a model molecule to investigate the reactions of multiply charged molecular cations formed in intense femtosecond laser fields. Measurements of the time-of-flight spectrum of C₆F₆ by changing the potential applied to the reflectron, combined with simulation of the ion trajectory, can identify the species detected behind the reflectron as the neutral species and/or ions formed by the collisional charge transfer. Moreover, the metastable ion dissociations of doubly and triply charged C₆F₆ are identified. The detection of product ions in this manner can diminish interference by the precursor ion. Moreover, it does not need precursor ion separation before product ion analysis. These advantages would expand the capability of mass spectrometry to obtain information about metastable ion dissociation of multiply charged species.     

质谱离子源技术用于电化学反应机理研究的进展

电化学反应是连续的动态变化过程,伴随着瞬时中间体和复杂结构物质的产生,因此,精确而有效地捕捉反应过程中的一系列产物,有助于准确推导其电化学反应机理,进而优化反应条件,提高反应效率.目前,主流的电化学在线监测技术包括光谱法、循环伏安法和线性极化曲线等,这些方法能够胜任反应过程中大部分物质的结构及组成变化检测,然而,为了更加系统和精确地掌握电化学反应过程中所有产物的信息,仍需进一步拓展实时、原位反应监测技术.质谱具有灵敏度高、选择性好、分析速度快、可以结构解析等特点,是一种理想的电化学反应研究手段.近年来,采用质谱法研究电化学反应机理的报道越来越多,尤其是采用以电喷雾离子源(Electrospray Ionization,ESI)及其衍生离子源为代表的常压离子源对电化学反应过程进行实时、原位监测已经成为研究热点.本综述主要介绍了近期发表的电化学-质谱联用技术,详细描述了其针对不同类型电化学反应监测要求而设计和开发的电化学离子源装置.     

A Reflectron Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer with a Nano-Electrospray Ionization Source for Study of Metal Cluster Compounds

An experiment facility has been set up for the study of metal cluster compounds in our laboratory, which consists of a nano-electrospray ionization source, an ion transmission and focus system, and a reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Taking advantage of the nano-electrospray ionization source, polyvalent ions are usually produced in the “ionization” process and the obtained mass resolution of the equipment is over 8000. The molecular ion peaks of metal cluster compounds [Au₂₀(PPhpy₂)₁₀Cl₂](SbF₆)₄, where PPhpy₂=bis(2-pyridyl)phenylphosphine, and [Au₆Ag₂(C)L₆](BF₄)₄, where L=2-(diphenylphosphino)-5-methylpyridine, are distinguished in the respective mass spectrum, accompanied by some fragment ion peaks. In addition, the mass-to-charge ratios of the parent ions are determi-nated. Preliminary results suggest that the device is a powerful tool for the study of metal cluster compounds. It turns out that the information obtained by the instrumentation serves as an essential supplement to single crystal X-ray diffraction for structure characterization of metal cluster compounds.     

A Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometric Study of Fluorescamine and Fluorescamine - Amino Acid Derivatives

Abstract

The chemical ionization mass spectra of fluorescamine and fluorescamine - amino acid derivatives have been studied using methane and ammonia as reagent gases. Major ions in the spectra are protonated molecular ions, adduct ions and ions formed by loss of an oxygen atom.

Fluorescamine, 4-phenyl-spiro[furan-2(3H),1′-phthalan]3,3′-dione, is a powerful new fluorogenic reagent for assaying primary amines.¹ and EI² and EI³ mass spectrometric investigations of fluorescamine and its derivatives were carried out. Our present study reports the CI mass spectral analysis of fluorescamine and some of its amino acid derivatives.     

Photoionization Mass Spectrometric and Kinetic Modeling of Low-pressure Pyrolysis of Benzene (cited: 3)

Pyrolysis of benzene at 30 Torr was studied from 1360 K to 1820 K in this work. Synchrotron vacuum ultraviolet photoionization mass spectrometry was employed to detect the pyroly-sis products such as radicals, isomers and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and measure their mole fraction profiles versus temperature. A low-pressure pyrolysis model of benzene was developed and validated by the experimental results. Rate of production analysis was performed to reveal the major reaction networks in both fuel decomposition and aromatic growth processes. It is concluded that benzene is mainly decomposed via H-abstraction reaction to produce phenyl and partly decomposed via unimolecular decomposition reac-tions to produce propargyl or phenyl. The decomposition process stops at the formation of acetylene and polyyne species like diacetylene and 1,3,5-hexatriyne due to their high thermal stabilities. Besides, the aromatic growth process in the low-pressure pyrolysis of benzene is concluded to initiate from benzene and phenyl, and is controlled by the even carbon growth mechanism due to the inhibited formation of C5 and C7 species which play important roles in the odd carbon growth mechanism.     

Quantification of Diaminomaleonitrile Using High Performance Liquid Chromatography with UV and Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometric Detection

Abstract

A method was developed to quantify diaminomaleonitrile (DAMN) in complex aqueous matrices using high performance liquid chromatography with UV and electrospray ionization mass spectrometric (ESI-MS) detection. The method is rapid (analytical times <10 min), able to quantify DAMN against complex backgrounds, and achieved with part per billion detection limits. Given the central role of DAMN in generating heterocycles of known biological significance, this study provides a rapid and sensitive method for quantifying DAMN in complex solutions.     

香豆素类新基质在基质辅助激光解吸／电离飞行时间质谱测定多糖和糖蛋白中的应用

将几种香豆素类新基质(香豆素、3-羟基香豆素(3-HC)、3-氨基香豆素(3-AC)、3-羧基香豆素(3-CC)和4-甲基-7-羟基香豆素(4-M-7-HC))分别应用于基质辅助激光解吸/电离飞行时间质谱(MALDI TOF-MS)测定葡聚糖和3种糖蛋白的研究.香豆素和3-羟基香豆素分别与2,5-二羟基苯甲酸(DHB)混合组成2种二元基质,极大地改善了基质和葡聚糖样品的共结晶状况,样品分布更加均匀.葡聚糖样品更易解吸/电离,每个激光点照射样品均能产生较强的质谱信号,且谱图重现性更好,得到了理想的MALDI TOF-MS谱图.当香豆素类基质用于分析糖蛋白时:3-HC和4-M-7-HC是测定糖蛋白A的优异基质,能检测到m/z 为66 672 Da 的离子信号.而3-AC测定糖蛋白B的基质效果比糖类分析常用基质2,5-二羟基苯甲酸更好.因此,这些香豆素类化合物将为MALDI TOF-MS分析多糖和糖蛋白提供更多新基质选择.     

基质辅助激光解吸电离飞行时间质谱表征双二氮杂萘酮化合物

采用基质辅助激光解吸电离飞行时间质谱(MAIDI-TOF MS)，以2，5-二羟基苯甲酸(DHB)为基体对10种合成的新型双二氮杂萘酮化合物进行了质谱分析，得到了较强的样品准分子离子信号；对校正标样进行了筛选并讨论了标样对测定准确度的影响；研究了样品与金属离子形成加成物的性质。     

Capillary Electrochromatography of Pyrimidine Derivatives Using UV and Mass Spectrometric Detection

Summary.  The separation of pyrimidine derivatives by capillary electrochromatography (CEC) using either UV or mass spectrometric detection is described. For UV detection an aqueous phosphate carrier electrolyte containing acetonitrile is employed. The results are compared to the analysis of the same compounds by micellar electrokinetic chromatography in terms of selectivity, migration times, linearity, and detection limits. For the combination of CEC and mass spectrometry (MS) an inexpensive way to couple commercially available instruments is presented; the interface consists of an electrically grounded stainless steel connector (containing a stainless steel frit) serving as the electrode and coupling the CEC capillary with a fused silica transfer capillary to the MS instrument. Alternatively, a PEEK adapter combining the CEC capillary and a grounded stainless steel transfer capillary serving as the electrode is employed. To avoid the formation of hydrogen gas at the coupling piece or the transfer capillary, p-benzoquinone is added to the carrier electrolyte consisting of aqueous ammonium acetate and acetonitrile. Received July 21, 1999. Accepted July 29, 1999     

酞青化合物的激光解吸质谱和快原子轰击质谱的研究

用激光解吸质谱法和快原子轰击质谱法分析研究Ａｌ－酞青和Ｃｕ，Ｎｉ，Ｚｎ４，４＇，４＇＇，４＇＇＇－四羧基酞青化合物，四羧基取代酞青由于四个羧基取代导致酞青极大增大和挥发点增高，较难用于ＦＡＢ法测定，但用基体帮助激光解吸质谱法可得到满意的结果，而一般铝酞青化合物分别用ＦＡＢ和ＭＡＬＤ法都可获得满意结果，但ＦＡＢ法能获得更多碎片信息。     

4种百部生物碱的质谱行为研究

对4种百部生物碱的质谱行为进行了研究。其电子轰击质谱除显示弱到中等强度的分子离子峰和特征离子[M-99] 外,其余离子丰度较弱,未能提供较多结构信息。4个化合物的电喷雾电离质谱和大气压化学电离质谱均显示强的准分子离子[M H] ,并得到特征离子[M-100] 和[M-74] 。软电离二级质谱能提供更多的结构信息。其裂解途径能体现它们的结构相似性及差异性,说明软电离质谱是百部类生物碱的结构鉴定中有效的质谱方法,将为这类生物碱的结构解析提供依据。     

Fragmentation of Moxifloxacin and Its Analogs by Electrospray Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

The fragmentation of patterns of moxifloxacin, 2-N-methylated moxifloxacin (analog 1), and 1-cyclopropyl-6,7-difluoro-8-methoxy-4-oxo-3-quinolinecarboxylic acid (analog 2) were investigated by electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry in the positive-ion mode. Many unusual ions were detected in the tandem mass spectra of moxifloxacin. Although the structures of moxifloxacin and analog 1 were similar, the relative abundances of products varied greatly. Comparison of the relative abundances of the product ions that lost CO₂ or H₂O and complementary product ions resulting from sequential four-membered hydrogen rearrangement showed that the differences were related to the protonation sites. The loss of HF, probably though the formation of an ion/neutral complex, is of scientific interest. The identities of the major product ions were confirmed by deuterium-labeling experiments that demonstrated an unusual loss of a deuterium atom. The major differences in fragmentation patterns were compared to previous reports in the literature.     

Crystal Structure and Mass Spectrometric Fragmentation Behavior of Eprosartan

The crystal structure determination and mass spectrometric fragmentation analysis of the medicinal ingredient eprosartan （4-[2-butyl-5-（2-carboxy-3-thiophen-2-yl-propenyl）-imidazol-l-ylmethyl]-benzoic acid） are presented. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction shows that the colorless transparent crystal of eprosartan is of monoclinic system, space group P2/c with a = 16.1861（15）, b = 10.9813（12）, c = 28.610（3） A, β = 118.452（2）°, Z = 4, V= 4471.1（8） A3, Dc = 1.288 g/cm3,μ（MoKα） = 0.178 mm^-1 and F（000） = 1831. The independent part of the unit cell contains two eprosartan molecules and one unordered H2O molecule in the crystal structure which is fixed by inter- and intramolecular hydrogen bonds. The product ions in electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry （ESI-MSn） displays the protonated eprosartan dissociated in three competitive pathways and the fragmentation mechanism is proposed and supported by the FTICRMSn results.     

Mass Spectrometric Fragmentation of 1-（Benzyloxycarbonyl）amino-2-alkyl/cycloalkyl Thioacetates： a Thioester Pyrolysis-type Rearrangement under Electron Impact Ionization

Many four- and six-membered ring rearrangements have been observed under mass spectrometric ionization conditions to date1-7. 1-(Benzyloxycarbonyl)amino-2-alkyl/ cycloalkyl thioacetates are key intermediates for the synthesis of 1-substituted and cyclic t…     

基于密度泛函理论的橘霉素衍生物质谱裂解行为研究

采用电喷雾离子阱质谱(ESI-IT-MSn),研究了橘霉素衍生物正离子模式下的裂解行为,并结合密度泛函理论(DFT)证明裂解途径的可靠性,为同类化合物的准确鉴定提供实验和理论基础。核磁共振仪对海莲内生真菌代谢产物分离得到的橘霉素衍生物结构进行确认,电喷雾离子阱质谱正离子模式扫描,测定化合物氢氘交换产物多级裂解质谱图,并结合键断裂能和Mulliken电荷分布,进一步验证裂解规律。实验结果表明,分子结构中-COOH和CH3COO-在一级裂解过程中易脱除CO2和COCH2,CID-MS2观测到丢失H2O/HDO、H2O和-CH3或CHCO/CDCO的碎片离子峰,且丰度依次降低,理论计算也证明,这些碎片离子的总能量依次增大,稳定性降低,键断裂能逐渐增大。该结果丰富了橘霉素衍生物的电喷雾质谱裂解规律,有助于橘霉素衍生物结构的准确鉴定,为该类化合物的检测和痕量分析提供了更多支持。     

大蒜挥发油组分的质谱研究

本文介绍采用水蒸汽蒸馏的方法,从大蒜中提取出一种浅黄色的挥发油。用毛细管气相色谱-质谱联用技术,发现了挥发油中至少含有15种以上个组分。根据这些组分的质谱特征,定性识别了其中10种成分,它们都是有机硫化合物,文中给出了这些化合物的质谱图和结构式,讨论了其中二种物质的质谱裂解规律。