Electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometric and electron impact mass spectrometric characterization of mycosporine-like amino acids

Positive-ion mass spectral fragmentations of seven mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) are reported and discussed. The MAAs studied are small compounds composed of a cycloheximine ring substituted with amino acid or amino alcohol units. Techniques used include electron impact (EI) and electrospray ionization (ESI) with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). ESI-MS/MS showed unusual small radical losses, generally resulting from the loss of a methyl group with the exception of shinorine and porphyra for which the initial losses were 30 and 44 Da, respectively. As expected from structural similarities, porphyra, shinorine and palythinol displayed similar fragmentation patterns, while palythenic acid and palythene fragmented in a similar manner. Overall, the ESI-MS/MS fragmentations at m/z <200 exhibited a distinctive pattern for all seven MAAs with characteristic ions at m/z 137, 168, 186, and 197 or 199. Several ions were observed for each of the MAAs analyzed, and together provide a useful and potentially diagnostic pattern for identification of MAAs and as an aid in structure elucidation of novel MAAs. For GC/EI-MS analysis, trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivatives were made. The EI-MS fragmentation patterns of TMS-MAAs showed many features typical of TMS-derivatized alpha-amines. The precursor TMS-MAA ion was not detected, but a [M-90](+ radical) ion was the highest-mass intense peak observed for palythine, palythinol and shinorine, while palythene gave a [M-116](+ radical) ion. Besides determining the number of acidic hydrogens, EI-MS of TMS-derivatized MAAs will aid in structure elucidation of novel MAAs.     

De novo analysis of electron impact mass spectra using fragmentation trees

The automated fragmentation analysis of high resolution EI mass spectra based on a fragmentation tree algorithm is introduced. Fragmentation trees are constructed from EI spectra by automated signal extraction and evaluation. These trees explain relevant fragmentation reactions and assign molecular formulas to fragments. The method enables the identification of the molecular ion and the molecular formula of a metabolite if the molecular ion is present in the spectrum. These identifications are independent of existing library knowledge and, thus, support assignment and structural elucidation of unknown compounds. The method works even if the molecular ion is of very low abundance or hidden under contaminants with higher masses. We apply the algorithm to a selection of 50 derivatized and underivatized metabolites and demonstrate that in 78% of cases the molecular ion can be correctly assigned. The automatically constructed fragmentation trees correspond very well to published mechanisms and allow the assignment of specific relevant fragments and fragmentation pathways even in the most complex EI-spectra in our dataset. This method will be very helpful in the automated analysis of metabolites that are not included in common libraries and it thus has the potential to support the explorative character of metabolomics studies.     

The mass spectrometric fragmentation of n-alkanes

The fragmentation of n-hexane, n-nonane and n-tetradecane under electron impact has been investigated, using ¹³C labelled compounds. The mechanism of the formation of the alkyl radical ions is quantitatively explained by using a method of calculation developed in an earlier publication for n-heptane. It is assumed that these ions are formed either by a direct C-C bond cleaveage or by a secondary olefin loss from an alkyl radical ion. In the latter case the probability for a particular carbon to be lost in the neutral fragment is assumed to be random. The probability for a direct cleavage to an alkyl ion is about 80% for an ion containing at least half of the number of carbon atoms of the molecular ion and 15% for the smaller ions. The [M? H]⁺ ion seems to be a special case not yet clearly understood. Former results about the loss of methyl from the molecular ion are confirmed.     

The mass spectrometric fragmentation of n-benzylacetamide

The low energy mass spectra of N-benzylacetamide have been recorded. The major fragmentations of the molecular ion are similar to those observed in the acetanilide spectrum. In addition, the secondary dissociation of the [C₆H₅CH₂NH]⁺ ion by loss of HCN is shown to occur with transfer of the -N–H hydrogen to the ring.     

The mass spectrometric fragmentation of n-heptane

The electron impact fragmentation of n-heptane has been investigated using ¹³C labelled derivatives. A mechanism is proposed for the loss of alkyl radicals where the cleavage of a C? C bond is coupled with the rearrangement of a hydrogen atom, thus yielding a secondary alkyl ion that eventually fragments further by a subsequent loss of olefin. For alkyl ions with less than six carbon atoms this consecutive pathway is in competition with formation directly from the molecular ion. The consecutive pathway contributes about 15% to the intensity of the alkyl ions with four and five carbon atoms and 80% for smaller ions. The electron energy dependence was studied.     

Molecular structure of erbium trichloride monomer and dimer by electron diffraction and mass spectrometric data

A simultaneous electron diffraction and mass spectrometric experiment was performed to investigate erbium trichloride vapor at 1134(20) K. The vapor contains 97(2) mol.% monomer and 3(2) mol.% dimer. For the ErCl₃ molecule, the following parameters were found: r_g(Er-Cl) 2.430(5) å, r_g(Cl-Cl) 4.036(19) å, effective angle CIErCl 112.3(1.2)?; with vibrational corrections included, these values correspond to the pyramidal equilibrium configuration of the molecule. For the dimer, a stmcture of D_2h, symmetry with four bridging bonds was adopted and the following parameters were found: r_g(Er-Cl₁) 2.444(5) å, r_g(Er-Cl_h) 2.65(4) å, ∠Cl₁-Er-Cl₁ 117(5)°, ∠Cl_b-Er-Cl_b 84(10)°.     

The mass spectrometric behaviour of benzohydroxaraic and benzothiohydroxamic acids under electron impact

Primary fragmentation reactions in benzohydroxamic and benzothiohydroxamic acids have been studied and compared with those in benzamides and benzothioamides. Mass-analysed ion kinetic energy spectra, collisional activation spectra and spectral data from labelled compounds were used to elucidate fragment ion structures and reaction mechanisms. The mass spectra are shown to be dependent on ion source temperature. Losses of O and H₂O are proved to be thermal in origin. The formation of an S… HO bond, which is analogous to an intramolecular hydrogen bond in solution chemistry, directs many fragmentation pathways. This seems to be the major factor determining the differences between the mass spectra of benzothiohydroxamic acids and those of the corresponding carbonyl compounds.     

The mass spectrometric fragmentation of selenophene and tellurophene

The mass spectra of selenophene and tellurophene have been measured and their modes of fragmentation compared with those of furan and thiophene.     

Influence of fluorine atoms on the electron impact and chemical ionization mass spectrometric fragmentation of methyl x-deoxy-x-fluoro-per-O-methyl-β-D-galactopyranosides

Fully methylated methyl x-deoxy-x-fluoro-β-D -galactopyranosides were studied using electron impact (EI) and chemical ionization (CI) mass spectrometry and by gas chromatography (GC)/mass spectrometry. Metastable daughter- and parent-ion measurements and high-resolution measurements were used to evaluate the fragmentation schemes. Both the presence and the position of the electronegative fluorine atom influences the fragmentation pathways of the permethylated compounds. The individual methyl x-deoxy-x-fluoro-per-O-methyl-β-D - galactopy-ranosides have different GC retention times. This, together with the characteristic differences present in the EI or CI (methane or isobutane) mass spectra, allows the location of fluorine in these substances to be unambiguously determined.     

Nitramine anion fragmentation: A mass spectrometric and Ab initio study

The fragment ion formation characteristics of the radical anions generated from hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitrotriazine (RDX) and its three nitroso metabolites were studied using GC/MS with negative chemical ionization (NCI) to understand the fragmentation mechanisms responsible for the formation of the most abundant ions observed in their NCI mass spectra. Ab initio and density functional theory calculations were used to calculate relative free energies for different fragment ion structures suggested by the m/z values of the most abundant ions observed in the NCI mass spectra. The NCI mass spectra of the four nitramines are dominated by ions formed by the cleavage of nitrogen-nitrogen and carbon-nitrogen bonds in the atrazine ring. The most abundant anions in the NCI mass spectra of these nitramines have the general formulas C(2)H(4)N(3)O (m/z 86) and C(2)H(4)N(3)O(2) (m/z 102). The analyses of isotope-labeled standards indicate that these two ions are formed by neutral losses that include two exocylic nitrogens and one atrazine ring nitrogen. Our calculations and observations of the nitramine mass spectra suggest that the m/z 86 and m/z 102 ions are formed from either the (M--NO)(-) or (M--NO(2))(-) fragment anions by a single fragmentation reaction producing neutral losses of CH(2)N(2)O or CH(2)N(2)O(2) rather than a set of sequential reactions involving neutral losses of HNO(2) or HNO and HCN.     

Reducing fragmentation observed in the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometric analysis of triacylglycerols in vegetable oils

Edible oils consist primarily of triacylglycerols (TAGs). Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectra of the oils are typically dominated by sodium adducts of these TAGs but also show prominent fragment ions (that do not contain sodium), which can interfere with analytical measurements of other components in oils. The fragments seemingly correspond to the loss of a fatty acid moiety from the sodiated TAGs as a sodium salt: RCOONa. However, a previous study suggested that the fragments actually arise from nearly complete fragmentation of unseen protonated TAGs. These authors suggested that the fragmentation occurs so rapidly and completely that protonated TAGs are not normally observed in the spectra of these oils. In this paper, we present evidence to support their theory and also demonstrate an approach to eliminate these interfering ions from the MALDI-TOF mass spectra via addition of a base to the matrix/sample mixture. The added base does not impede formation of the sodiated TAGs, but does significantly reduce the amount of fragments observed. We propose that this occurs by depleting the H+ ions from the matrix, thus preventing the formation of significant numbers of protonated TAGs in the first place. For measurements by MALDI-TOF, the relative abundances of the fragment ions are related to the strength of the base, and can be almost completely eliminated. However, in longer time-scale experiments such as in post-source decay and Fourier transform mass spectrometry, sodiated and non-sodiated diacylglycerol (DAG)-like fragments are present in spectra, regardless of whether or not a base is added to the sample.     

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometric fragmentation of hydroquinone derivatives

The fragmentation patterns of nine di-, tri- and tetracyclic hydroquinones with potential antitumor activity were rationalized by invoking competing mechanisms that included sterically accelerated homolytic cleavage, Meerwein-type rearrangements and dehydrations through elimination or intramolecular nucleophilic substitution.     

Mechanism of ionization and initial fragmentation in electron impact mass spectra of 3-halogenobenzanthrones

Electron-impact mass spectra of 3-halogenobenzanthrones (halogen X = Cl, Br, I) were measured and ionization efficiency curves and three kinds of linked-scan spectra were obtained for several fragment ions. The fundamental mechanisms of ionization and initial fragmentation were interpreted by the penetration length of an impacting electron or the density distribution on the molecular surface of a rejected electron and its orbital energy. The apparent ionization energy (IE) of a singly charged molecular ion seems to be the lower one of non-bonding electrons on O or X, and that of a doubly charged molecular ion the sum of three terms, the IE of non-bonding electron on O, that on X and the electrostatic repulsion between two positive charges. Two competing pathways of decomposition from the molecular ion M^+· to an ion [M - CO,- X]⁺ were observed: one is the initial detachment of CO in chloro and bromo compounds and the other is the initial elimination of the iodine atom in the iodo compound. The sequence of these reactions was confirmed by metastable ion analysis with linked-scan spectra and the relative magnitudes of the appearance energies. They can be explained by the driving force of a localized positive charge or unpaired electron on a heteroatom.     

Correlation between electron capture negative chemical ionization mass spectrometric fragmentation and calculated internal energies for polychlorinated biphenyls

Correlationbse tween molecular structure and fragmentation observed in electron capture negative chemical ionization mass spectra (moderator gas = methane) of 49 selected tetrachlorinated, pentachlorinated, and hexachlorinated biphenyls have been investigated by using molecular modeling. The semiempirical general molecular orbital program MOPAC was used to calculate molecular properties for biphenyl and the 209 polychlorinated biphenyls. The mass spectrometric ionization and fragmentation processes were found to be linked to the number of chlorine atoms present on the biphenyl, and to the number of those chlorine atoms in the ortho (2, 2′, 6, and 6′) positions. The intensity of molecular ions increased with the number of chlorine atoms present, but this was counteracted by enhanced fragmentation as the number of ortho position chlorine atoms increased. The molecular parameters that were most closely linked with the number of ortho chlorine atoms were the twist angle between the phenyl rings and the energy of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO). It is suggested that fragmentation occurs when the energy of the ionizing electron exceeds the energy difference between the LUMO and LlJMO + 1 orbitals.     

Cyclization of molecular ions: The mass spectrometric fragmentation of allene-carboxylic esters

A series of six 2,4,4-substituted allenecarboxylic esters R₁R₂C?C?C(R₃)COOAlk has been found to exhibit O-Alkyl cleavage as the most prominent feature of both their 70 and 12 eV mass spectra. Loss of linearity of the allene system upon ionization, followed by conversion of the molecular ion to a 5-membered cyclic isomer, is thought to induce this unusual mode of bond rupture. Oxygen-migration from the ester function to C-4 as is indicated by the subsequent decomposition of the [M — Alk] ions to [R₁? C?O]+ and [R₂? C?O]⁺ fragments can be taken as direct evidence in favour of this rationale.     

Systematic identification of N-acetylheparosan oligosaccharides by tandem mass spectrometric fragmentation

Recently, a useful procedure for the preparation of both even- and odd-numbered series of N-acetylheparosan (NAH) oligosaccharides was established. The present report describes findings when these NAH oligosaccharides were subjected to comparative mass spectrometry (MS)/MS fragmentation analysis by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI)-LIFT-time-of-flight (TOF)/TOF-MS/MS, and electrospray ionization (ESI) collision-induced dissociation (CID) MS/MS. The resultant fragment ions were systematically assigned to elucidate fragmentation characteristics. In the MALDI-LIFT-MS/MS experiments, all the NAH oligosaccharides underwent unique glycosidic cleavages that included B-Y ion cleavages (nomenclature system of Domon and Costello, Glycoconjugate J. 1988; 5: 397) at the C-1 side, and C-Z ion cleavages at the C-4 side, with respect to glucuronic acid (GlcA). In addition, (0,2)A and/or (0,2)X cross-ring cleavages were observed for relatively small oligosaccharides. The former observation clearly reflects the occurrence of a GlcA-N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) alternating structure of NAH, while the latter feature implies the occurrence of the -beta-1-4-glucuronide linkage. Extensive glycosidic cleavages were also observed in the ESI-CID-MS/MS fragmentation, though cleavage specificity was less evident than in the case of MALDI-LIFT-TOF/TOF-MS/MS. The information obtained in this study should be valuable for understanding both biosynthetic and degradation processes of NAH and its derivatives including heparin and heparan sulfate, as well as artificially modified NAH oligosaccharides.     

CHCA-modified Au nanoparticles for laser desorption ionization mass spectrometric analysis of peptides

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been studied as a potential solid-state matrix for laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (LDI-MS) but the efficiency in ionization remains low. In this report, AuNPs are capped by a self-assembled monolayer of cysteamine and modified with α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnanic acid (CHCA) for effective MALDI measurements. CHCA-terminated AuNPs offer marked improvement on peptide ionization compared with citrate-capped or cysteamine-capped AuNPs. The coating also effectively suppresses formation of Au cluster ions and analyte fragment ions, leading to cleaner mass spectra. Addition of glycerol and citric acid to the peptide/AuNPs sample further improves the performance of these AuNPs for LDI-MS analysis. Glycerol appears to enhance the dispersion of AuNPs in sample spots, increasing the sample ionization and shot-to-shot reproducibility, while citric acid serves as an external proton donor, providing high production of protonated analyte ions and reducing fragmentation of peptides on the nanoparticle-based surface. Optimal ratios of citric acid, glycerol, and AuNPs in sample solution have been systematically studied. A more than 10-fold increase for desorption ionization of peptides can be achieved by combining 5% glycerol and 20 mM citric acid with the CHCA-terminated AuNPs. The applicability of the CHCA-AuNPs for LDI-MS analysis of protein digests has also been demonstrated. This work shows the potential of AuNPs for SALDI-MS analysis, and the improvement with chemical functionalization, controlled dispersion, and use of an effective proton donor.