Design and calibration of an electrostatic energy analyzer-time-of-flight mass spectrometer for measurement of laser-desorbed ion kinetic energies

The design of a hybrid electrostatic energy analyzer-time-of-flight mass spectrometer for measurement of ion kinetic energies produced by laser desorption ionization is presented. The need for experimental evaluation of the calibration and performance of the instrument is discussed and a novel laser multiphoton ionization technique, which allows experimental calibration of the energy bandpass of the electrostatic energy analyzer, is described. Laser multiphoton ionization at varying electric field strengths also allows the effects of electric field distortions on energy resolution of the instrument to be probed. Measurement of the translational energies of ions produced by 266-nm laser desorption ionization at 48 mJ/cm² of material adsorbed to a stainless steel probe by using this instrument also is presented. Ion translational energies of +19±5, +10±5, and +10±5 eV are found for adsorbed Na⁺, K⁺, and m-xylene M⁺, respectively.     

A Highly K+‐Selective Fluorescent Probe – Tuning the K+‐Complex Stability and the K+/Na+ Selectivity by Varying the Lariat‐Alkoxy Unit of a Phenylaza[18]crown‐6 Ionophore

A desirable goal is to synthesize easily accessible and highly K⁺/Na⁺‐selective fluoroionophores to monitor physiological K⁺ levels in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, highly K⁺/Na⁺‐selective ionophores have to be developed. Herein, we obtained in a sequence of only four synthetic steps a set of K⁺‐responsive fluorescent probes 4 , 5 and 6 . In a systematic study, we investigated the influence of the alkoxy substitution in ortho position of the aniline moiety in π‐conjugated aniline‐1,2,3‐triazole‐coumarin‐fluoroionophores 4 , 5 and 6 [R=MeO ( 4 ), EtO ( 5 ) and iPrO ( 6 )] towards the K⁺‐complex stability and K⁺/Na⁺ selectivity. The highest K⁺‐complex stability showed fluoroionophore 4 with a dissociation constant K_d of 19 mm , but the K_d value increases to 31 mm in combined K⁺/Na⁺ solutions, indicating a poor K⁺/Na⁺ selectivity. By contrast, 6 showed even in the presence of competitive Na⁺ ions equal K_d values (K_d^K+=45 mm and K_d^K+/Na+=45 mm ) and equal K⁺‐induced fluorescence enhancement factors (FEFs=2.3). Thus, the fluorescent probe 6 showed an outstanding K⁺/Na⁺ selectivity and is a suitable fluorescent tool to measure physiological K⁺ levels in the range of 10–80 mm in vitro. Further, the isopropoxy‐substituted N‐phenylaza[18]crown‐6 ionophore in 6 is a highly K⁺‐selective building block with a feasible synthetic route.     

A Highly K+‐Selective Two‐Photon Fluorescent Probe

A highly K⁺‐selective two‐photon fluorescent probe for the in vitro monitoring of physiological K⁺ levels in the range of 1–100 mM is reported. The two‐photon excited fluorescence (TPEF) probe shows a fluorescence enhancement (FE) by a factor of about three in the presence of 160 mM K⁺, independently of one‐photon (OP, 430 nm) or two‐photon (TP, 860 nm) excitation and comparable K⁺‐induced FEs in the presence of competitive Na⁺ ions. The estimated dissociation constant (K_d) values in Na⁺‐free solutions (K_d^OP=(28±5) mM and K_d^TP=(36±6) mM ) and in combined K⁺/Na⁺ solutions (K_d^OP=(38±8) mM and K_d^TP=(46±25) mM ) reflecting the high K⁺/Na⁺ selectivity of the fluorescent probe. The TP absorption cross‐section (σ_2PA) of the TPEF probe+160 mM K⁺ is 26 GM at 860 nm. Therefore, the TPEF probe is a suitable tool for the in vitro determination of K⁺.     

Capillary affinity electrophoresis and ab initio calculation studies of valinomycin complexation with Na+ ion

In a combined experimental and theoretical approach, the interactions of valinomycin (Val), macrocyclic depsipeptide antibiotic ionophore, with sodium cation Na⁺ have been investigated. The strength of the Val–Na⁺ complex was evaluated experimentally by means of capillary affinity electrophoresis. From the dependence of valinomycin effective electrophoretic mobility on the sodium ion concentration in the BGE (methanolic solution of 20 mM chloroacetic acid, 10 mM Tris, 0–40 mM NaCl), the apparent binding (stability) constant (K_b) of the Val–Na⁺ complex in methanol was evaluated as log K_b = 1.71 ± 0.16. Besides, using quantum mechanical density functional theory (DFT) calculations, the most probable structures of the nonhydrated Val–Na⁺ as well as hydrated Val–Na⁺·H₂O complex species were proposed. Compared to Val–Na⁺, the optimized structure of Val–Na⁺·H₂O complex appears to be more realistic as follows from the substantially higher binding energy (118.4 kcal/mol) of the hydrated complex than that of the nonhydrated complex (102.8 kcal/mol). In the hydrated complex, the central Na⁺ cation is bound by strong bonds to one oxygen atom of the respective water molecule and to four oxygens of the corresponding C=O groups of the parent valinomycin ligand.     

Alkali and Alkaline Earth Metal Ions Complexes with a Partial Peptide of the Selectivity Filter in K+ Channels Studied by a Cold Ion Trap Infrared Spectroscopy

The infrared (IR) spectra of alkali and alkaline earth metal ion complexes with the Ac-Tyr-NHMe (GYG) peptide have been measured by laser photodissociation in a cold ion trap coupled with an electrospray mass spectrometer. The GYG peptide corresponds to a portion of the ion selectivity filter in the KcsA K⁺ channel that allows K⁺ to pass, but blocks Na⁺ even though it has a smaller ionic radius than K⁺. This current study extends a previous investigation on Na⁺ and K⁺ to the entire set of alkali metaI ions and alkaline earth dications. IR-IR hole-burning (IR² dip) spectroscopy has established the coexistence of several conformers of the GYG-metal ion complexes. The structures of the conformers were assigned by comparison between the isomer-selected IR spectra and theoretical IR spectra obtained from quantum chemical calculations. It was found that the structure of the dominant conformer correlates with the ability of the ion to permeate through the K⁺ channel.     

Detection of femtomole and sub-femtomole levels of peptides by tandem magnetic sector/reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization

This article describes results of low-level (sub-femtomole) detection of peptides by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization. The matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization method can be used for low-level detection of the parent ion, either [M + H]⁺ or [M + Na]⁺, and collision-induced dissociation of the parent ion can be performed at the picomole level. The instrument used for these studies is a novel high-performance magnetic sector (electric(E)/magnetic(B) sector)/reflectron time-of-flight (TOP) tandem mass spectrometer (EB/TOF).     

Na+ Selective Fluorescent Tools Based on Fluorescence Intensity Enhancements,Lifetime Changes,and on a Ratiometric Response

Over the years, we developed highly selective fluorescent probes for K⁺ in water, which show K⁺-induced fluorescence intensity enhancements, lifetime changes, or a ratiometric behavior at two emission wavelengths (cf. Scheme 1, K1 – K4 ). In this paper, we introduce selective fluorescent probes for Na⁺ in water, which also show Na⁺ induced signal changes, which are analyzed by diverse fluorescence techniques. Initially, we synthesized the fluorescent probes 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 and 10 for a fluorescence analysis by intensity enhancements at one wavelength by varying the Na⁺ responsive ionophore unit and the fluorophore moiety to adjust different K_d values for an intra- or extracellular Na⁺ analysis. Thus, we found that 2 , 4 and 5 are Na⁺ selective fluorescent tools, which are able to measure physiologically important Na⁺ levels at wavelengths higher than 500 nm. Secondly, we developed the fluorescent probes 7 and 8 to analyze precise Na⁺ levels by fluorescence lifetime changes. Herein, only 8 (K_d=106 mm ) is a capable fluorescent tool to measure Na⁺ levels in blood samples by lifetime changes. Finally, the fluorescent probe 9 was designed to show a Na⁺ induced ratiometric fluorescence behavior at two emission wavelengths. As desired, 9 (K_d=78 mm ) showed a ratiometric fluorescence response towards Na⁺ ions and is a suitable tool to measure physiologically relevant Na⁺ levels by the intensity change of two emission wavelengths at 404 nm and 492 nm.     

Laser desorption fourier transform mass spectra of ascorbic and isoascorbic acids

Positive and negative ion laser desorption Fourier transform mass spectra of ascorbic acid, isoascorbic acid, and their sodium and potassium salts have been determined. A number of differences between these spectra and previously reported laser microprobe mass analyzer (LAMMA) spectra are found. In contrast with earlier results, m/z 175 anions are present in all negative ion spectra, as are cluster ions. Thus, it should not be concluded that the radical salts are electroneutral, as claimed in the earlier study.     

Dehydrogenation and dehalogenation of amines in MALDI‐TOF MS investigated by isotopic labeling

Secondary and tertiary amines have been reported to form [M–H]⁺ that correspond to dehydrogenation in matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS). In this investigation, we studied the dehydrogenation of amines in MALDI‐TOF MS by isotopic labeling. Aliphatic amines were labeled with deuterium on the methylene of an N‐benzyl group, which resulted in the formation of [M–D]⁺ and [M–H]⁺ ions by dedeuteration and dehydrogenation, respectively. This method revealed the proton that was removed. The spectra of most tertiary amines with an N‐benzyl group showed high‐intensity [M–D]⁺ and [M–H]⁺ ion peaks, whereas those of secondary amines showed low‐intensity ion peaks. Ratios between the peak intensities of [M–D]⁺ and [M–H]⁺ greater than 1 suggested chemoselective dehydrogenation at the N‐benzyl groups. The presence of an electron donor group on the N‐benzyl groups enhanced the selectivity. The dehalogenation of amines with an N‐(4‐halobenzyl) group was also observed alongside dehydrogenation. The amino ions from dehalogenation can undergo second dehydrogenation. These results provide the first direct evidence about the position at which dehydrogenation of an amine occurs and the first example of dehalogenation of haloaromatic compounds in MALDI‐TOF MS. These results should be helpful in the structural identification and elucidation of synthetic and natural molecules. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Complexation Properties of a Carbon-Bridged Cryptand with Metal Ions in Aqueous Solution at 25°C

Abstract

Thermodynamic quantities (log K, ΔH, and ΔS) for the interactions of a carbon-bridged cryptand with Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺, and Pb²⁺ were determined at 25° C by calorimetric titration in aqueous solution. The cryptand forms complexes with Na⁺, Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺, and Pb²⁺ with log K ≤ 2. Complexation was not detected for Li⁺, K⁺, and Ca²⁺. Weak interactions with Li⁺ and K⁺ and a log K value of 2.4 for Na⁺ suggest that the cavity size of the cryptand is close to that of Na⁺ but too small for K⁺ and too large for Li⁺. The carbon-bridged cryptand selectively binds Sr²⁺ (log K = 3.2) over Ca²⁺ and Ba²⁺ by more than one order of magnitude.     

Monohydration selectivity mechanism of alkali cations in the potassium channel of excitable biomembranes

Nonempirical quantum chemical method Hartree–Fock–Roothan LCAO SCF MO in a two-exponent Dunning basis with the use of an extended set of Gaussian functions by Huzinaga–Dunning with consideration of electron correlation according to the Meller–Plesset theory of excitations of the second order was used to study monohydrates of Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, and HCOO^? ions. The indicated basis was supplemented with polarization functions of d-type on the O atom and of p-type on the hydrogen atom as well as with diffusion functions of p-type on the oxygen atom. It has been found that binding energies of the water molecule with Li⁺, Na⁺ appeared to be higher and with K⁺ lower than with HCOO^? · H₂O. Potential curve shapes of K⁺ + H₂O and HCOO^? + H₂O reactions are shown to be similar. The molecular mechanism of K⁺ channel selectivity of an excitable membrane is explained on the basis of the obtained calculations.     

A new Na+ and K+ carrier from chemically modified monensin studied in human erythrocytes by 23Na nuclear magnetic resonance,K+ atomic absorption and H+ potentiometry

The transporting ability of a new monensin derivative 26-(1,2-diphenyl-1-ethoxy) monensin, highly active against Gram-positive bacteria, was explored with the human erythrocyte model using three technical approaches: ²³Na nuclear magnetic resonance (internal Na⁺), K⁺ atomic absorption (external K⁺) and H⁺ potentiometry (external H⁺) and compared with monensin 1 and 26-(4-chlorophenylurethane) monensin 3 of known transport selectivities for sodium and potassium respectively. Compound 2 proved to be a good carrier for both Na⁺ and K⁺ under our experimental conditions, thus constituting a new type of monensin derivative. The introduction of Li⁺, Rb⁺ or Cs⁺ in the external buffer as a replacement for Na⁺ led us to propose the transport sequence K⁺, Na⁺ ⪢ Rb⁺ > Li⁺ > Cs⁺ for 2.     

Affinity capillary electrophoretic study of K+/Na+ selectivity of hexaarylbenzene-based polyaromatic receptor

Affinity capillary electrophoretic (ACE) study has proved the selectivity of hexaarylbenzene-based polyaromatic receptor (R) for K⁺ ion over Na⁺ ion. The apparent binding constants of the R complexes with K⁺ and Na⁺ ions were determined from the dependence of effective electrophoretic mobility of R on the concentration of the above alkali metal ions in the background electrolyte using a non-linear regression analysis. The apparent binding constants (K_b) of the K-R⁺ and Na–R⁺ complexes in methanolic medium were evaluated as log K_b = 3.20 ± 0.22 for the K–R⁺ complex, and log K_b??0.7 for the Na–R⁺ complex.     

Determination of alkali metal ion binding selectivities of calixarenes by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization and electrospray ionization in a quadrupole ion trap

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) are used to evaluate the alkali metal ion binding selectivities of a series of calixarenes. Each calixarene of interest is mixed with one or more alkali metal salts (1:100 ratio of calixarene to metal), either in the ESI solution or on the MALDI probe surface, and the relative binding selectivities are directly determined from the intensities of the calixarene/metal complexes in the mass spectra. For t-butylcalix[4]arene-tetraacetic acid tetraethyl ester (calixarene 1), complexation of Na⁺ is favored over complexation of K⁺, in agreement with prior solution results obtained by conventional methods. For the three calixarenes that do not have t-butyl groups on the upper rims, the calixarenes preferentially bind K⁺ over Na⁺, thus demonstrating that size selective complexation can be probed with both the ESI and MALDI methods. Collision-activated dissociation results indicate that the phenyl oxygens, but not necessarily the ethoxy ethyl oxygens of the lower rims, are the primary binding sites for the alkali metal ions.     

Study of synthetic aliphatic copolyamides by time-of-flight matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry

Synthetic copolyamides based on aliphatic diamines (1,3-propanediamine and 1,4-butanediamine) and dichlorides of aliphatic carboxylic acids (adipic and sebacic acid dichlorides) were investigated using time-of-flight matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry. Their mass spectra showed peaks for cationized (Na⁺ and K⁺) and protonated (less intense peaks) oligomers with NH₂-NH₂, NH₂-COOH, or COOH-COOH end groups. No cyclic oligomers were detected in the samples. The compositions of oligomers were determined, and the relative reactivities of homologous comonomers in polycondensation were estimated. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 7, pp. 1320–1324, July, 2007.     

Unexplored metallic cation effect in the acidity constants of p-t-butylthiacalix[4]arene,p-t-butylcalix[4]arene and p-t-butylcalix[6]arene in aqueous-organic media

The influence of the metallic cation of the base (Li⁺, Na⁺ or K⁺) was determined on the acid–base constants of p-t-butylthiacalix[4]arene (TC4), p-t-butylcalix[4]arene (CA4) and p-t-butylcalix[6]arene (CA6) in ethanol/water in an large interval of pH values by potentiometry and spectrophotometry. The pK_a values determined by both methods correlate very well and these are characteristic for each macrocycle with influence of the cation of the base without a straight evidence of an effect by the size of the metallic cation. In the case of TC4, pK_a1 and pK_a2 were lower to Li⁺ and Na⁺ than with K⁺. For CA4, an effect of K⁺ on the pK_a2 with respect to Li⁺ was observed. A very different behaviour was observed for CA6 with Li⁺ and K⁺ showing a lower pK_a2 and a higher pK_a3 than with Na⁺. These effects were interpreted on the basis of the interaction/complexation of each cation with each macrocycle.     

Structure of poly(L‐lactic acid)s prepared by the dehydropolycondensation of L‐lactic acid with organotin catalysts

The synthesis of low‐molecular‐weight (weight‐average molecular weight < 45,000 g/mol) lactic acid polymers through the dehydropolycondensation of L ‐lactic acid was investigated. Polymerizations were carried out in solution with solvents (xylene, mesitylene, and decalin), without a solvent using different Lewis acid catalysts (tetraphenyl tin and tetra‐n‐butyldichlorodistannoxane), and at three different polymerization temperatures (143, 165, and 190 °C). The products were characterized with differential scanning calorimetry, size exclusion chromatography, vapor pressure osmometry, ¹³C NMR, and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight (MALDI‐TOF). The resulting polymers contained less than 1 mol % lactide, as shown by NMR. The number‐average molecular weights were calculated from the ratio of the area peaks of ester carbonyl and carboxylic acid end groups via ¹³C NMR. The stereosequences were analyzed by ¹³C NMR spectroscopy on the basis of triad effects. Tetraphenyl tin was an effective transesterification catalyst, and the randomization of the stereosequence at 190 °C was observed. In contrast, the distannoxane catalyst caused comparatively less transesterification reaction, and the randomization of the stereosequences was slow even at 190 °C. The L ‐lactic acid and D ‐lactic acid isomers were added to the polymer chain in a small, blocky fashion. The MALDI‐TOF spectra of poly(L ‐lactic acid) (PLA) chains doped with Na⁺ and K⁺ cations showed that the PLA chains had the expected end groups. The MALDI‐TOF analysis also enabled the simultaneous detection of the cyclic oligomers of PLA present in these samples, and this led to the full structural characterization of the molecular species in PLA. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 2164–2177, 2005     

A Highly K+‐Selective Phenylaza‐[18]crown‐6‐Lariat‐Ether‐Based Fluoroionophore and Its Application in the Sensing of K+ Ions with an Optical Sensor Film and in Cells

Herein, we report the synthesis of two phenylaza‐[18]crown‐6 lariat ethers with a coumarin fluorophore ( 1 and 2 ) and we reveal that compound 1 is an excellent probe for K⁺ ions under simulated physiological conditions. The presence of a 2‐methoxyethoxy lariat group at the ortho position of the anilino moiety is crucial to the substantially increased stability of compounds 1 and 2 over their lariat‐free phenylaza‐[18]crown‐6 ether analogues. Probe 1 shows a high K⁺/Na⁺ selectivity and a 2.5‐fold fluorescence enhancement was observed in the presence of 100 mM K⁺ ions. A fluorescent membrane sensor, which was prepared by incorporating probe 1 into a hydrogel, showed a fully reversible response, a response time of 150 s, and a signal change of 7.8 % per 1 mM K⁺ within the range 1–10 mM K⁺. The membrane was easily fabricated (only a single sensing layer on a solid polyester support), yet no leaching was observed. Moreover, compound 1 rapidly permeated into cells, was cytocompatible, and was suitable for the fluorescent imaging of K⁺ ions on both the extracellular and intracellular levels.     

Use of Ionic liquids as additives in ion exchange chromatography for the analysis of cations

The behavior of acids (citric acid, nitric acid, oxalic acid, tartaric acid) as a mobile phase and imidazolium ionic liquids (the bromides, tetrafluoroborates and hexafluorophosphates of 1‐ethyl, 1‐butyl, and 1‐hexyl‐3‐methylimidazolium) as additives in ion exchange chromatography for cations (Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺) separation were studied. The results showed that nitric acid and 1‐hexyl‐3‐methyl‐imidazolium hexafluorophosphate offered the most interesting features in the separation of cations, such as lower retention time and better resolution. The selected optimal conditions were achieved by adding 0.10 mM 1‐hexyl‐3‐methyl‐imidazolium hexafluorophosphate in 4.0 mM HNO₃ mobile phase for the separation of four cations with the flow rate of 0.9 mL/min at room temperature (25°C). The linear regression equations of Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ were S  = 4.4763c  + 0.0209, S  = 3.8903c  – 0.0087, S  = 6.3974c  – 0.0173, and S  = 7.601c  – 0.0339 and the limits of detection of Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ were 0.296, 4.98, 0.0970, and 1.22 μg/L, respectively. In this work, four cations in samples were successfully detected.     

Stable ion complexes of vitamin A species (retinol) in solution as detected by mass spectrometry

Mechanisms of retinol (ROL) transport in plasma alternative to that involving the Retinol‐Binding Protein (RBP) have been hypothesized after RBP‐knockout mice were shown to be viable and fertile. Accordingly, the possibility of a ROL fraction circulating free in plasma has been suggested. In this study, stable complex formation between ROL and the physiological relevant ions Na⁺, Li⁺, and K⁺ was investigated by using mass spectrometry and assessed in regard to the aforementioned alternative mechanism. The ROL‐Na complex was found to be kinetically favoured with respect to the ROL‐Li and ROL‐K complexes. Fragmentation of the [ROL‐Na]⁺ adduct rendered the carbocation [ROL+H–H₂O]⁺ (m/z 269) and NaOH as neutral loss. In consonance with these results, it is hypothesized on the possibility of the complex [ROL‐Na]⁺ being an alternative way of ROL transport to cells, as well as an intermediate in cis/trans isomerism. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.