The constant neutral linked magnetic field electric sector scan

A linked magnetic field-electric sector scan for which (B/E)\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \sqrt {1 - E} $\end{document} is constant selectively records first field free region metastable peaks representing loss of the same neutral fragment. The constant neutral metastable ion spectra produced by this scan should provide information about the presence and location of particular functional groups beyond that which is available from focused mass spectra. Constant neutral linked scans can be obtained consecutively with focused spectra and with B/E and B ²/E linked scans by simple extension of a computerized B-E scanning method developed previously.     

The observation of broad metastable ion peaks in the surface-induced dissociation mass spectra of protonated and cationated peptides

The product ion mass spectra of protonated and cationated peptides of relative molecular mass (RMM) 555–574 Da have been obtained by surface-induced dissociation of MH⁺ and [M + Cat]⁻ ions in a four-sector tandem mass spectrometer equipped with a specially designed collision cell. A linked scan of the electric and magnetic sector field strengths of the second mass spectrometer was used to transmit the fragment ions arising from collisions with a stainless steel surface. The resulting mass spectra contained broad metastable ion peaks produced by the dissociation of MH⁺ and [M + Cat]⁺ ions before the second magnetic sector, in the fourth field-free region of the instrument.     

Fragmentation patterns by fast linked electric and magnetic field scanning

The fragmentation pattern of the molecular ion of n-octacosane was obtained, with good resolution, by linked scanning of the electrostatic and magnetic fields in a double focusing mass spectrometer in a total scan time of only 30 seconds.     

Mass analysis of overlapping ion kinetic energy peaks arising from charge separation in dications

A triple-sector instrument of reversed geometry, BEQQ, has been employed to resolve overlapping ion kinetic energy peaks arising from charge separation of metastable dications. Separation was achieved through mass resolution of the dication in the magnetic sector and of the singly charged product ion of greater mass in the quadrupole mass filter accompanied by energy resolution with the electric sector; the electric sector was scanned to cover the complete range of each charge separation peak. Two overlapping ion kinetic energy peaks arising from charge separation of the diphenylenimine dication and up to four overlapping ion kinetic peaks arising from charge separations of dications arising from benzene-1,3,5-d₃ have been resolved. The kinetic energy releases have been calculated in each case. Enhanced z-discrimination is observed with the final stage of mass analysis.     

MQD--multiplex-quadrature detection in multi-dimensional NMR

With multiplex‐quadrature detection (MQD) the tasks of coherence selection and quadrature separation in N‐dimensional heteronuclear NMR experiments are merged. Thus the number of acquisitions required to achieve a desired resolution in the indirect dimensions is significantly reduced. The minimum number of transients per indirect data point, which have to be combined to give pure‐phase spectra, is thus decreased by a factor (3/4)^N?1. This reduction is achieved without adjustable parameters. We demonstrate the advantage by MQD 3D HNCO and HCCH‐TOCSY spectra affording the same resolution and the same per‐scan sensitivity as standard phase‐cycled ones, but obtained in only 56 % of the usual time and by resolution improvements achieved in the same amount of time.     

Deconvolution of composite metastable peaks: A new method for the determination of metastable transitions occurring in the first field free region

The masses of daughter ions resulting from metastable transitions in the first field free region of a “reversed geometry” mass spectrometer can be accurately determined through a mass analysed ion kinetic energy scan at the apparent mass at which these daughter ions travel through the magnetic sector. A combination of these mass analysed ion kinetic scans with scanning the magnetic flux allows the resolution of overlapping metastable diffuse peaks.     

Primary to quaternary protein structure determination with electrospray ionization and magnetic sector mass spectrometry

Electrospray ionization with a forward-geometry magnetic sector mass spectrometer was used for collisionally activated dissociation studies of multiply charged polypeptides and for studying non-covalently bound protein systems. The high-resolution capabilities of a high-performance instrument allow the resolution of isotopic contributions for product ions and molecular ion species. Determination of product ion charge states by this method reduces difficulties in the interpretation of product ion mass spectra from multiply charged precursors, which are generated either in the atmospheric pressure/vacuum electrospray interface or in the collision chamber of the mass spectrometer. Extended tandem mass spectrometric experiments have the potential for sequencing larger polypeptides. However, evidence for isomerization of gas-phase product ions from substance P and substance P analogues was observed, complicating the interpretation of product ion spectra. Non-covalent complexes can also be studied by electrospray ionization magnetic sector MS. The higher m/z range of such an instrument is a major advantage for studying weakly bound systems, such as heme–protein systems (myoglobin, hemoglobin) and protein aggregates (concanavalin A), because of their tendency to form complex ions with relatively low charge states.     

Comparative performance study of ICP mass spectrometers by means of U “isotopic measurements”

The performance of four commercially available ICPMS instruments of three different types was compared by means of uranium “isotopic measurements”. Examined were two quadrupole sector (different generation, different manufacturer), one single detector double focusing magnetic sector and one multiple collector double focusing magnetic sector instruments. The same samples of the IRMM-072 series were used under routine conditions to measure the ²³³U/²³⁵U and the ²³³U/²³⁸U ratios which, in these samples, vary over almost three orders of magnitude from ～ 1 to ～ 2 · 10^–3. Within expanded (k = 2) uncertainties, good agreement was observed between the certified values and the data internally corrected for mass-discrimination effects. The magnitude of the evaluated uncertainties was different for each type of instrument. With the multiple collector instrument, expanded uncertainties varied from ± 0.04% to± 0.24% for the ²³³U/²³⁵U ratio, and from ± 0.08% to ± 0.27% for the ²³³U/²³⁸U ratio. They were ～ 1 to 5 times larger with the single detector magnetic sector instrument, and ～ 10 to 25 times larger with both quadrupole sector instruments. With the multiple collector instrument, repeatability of the measurements seemed to be limited by the difficulty of correcting properly for instrumental background, whereas with the single detector magnetic sector instrument the counting statistics was the only limitation (on smallest ratios). Apparent mass-discrimination was clearly found to be larger but more reproducible (and hence easier to correct for) in the case of magnetic sector instruments than for both quadrupole sector instruments. If space charge effects were the main source of mass-discrimination for all instruments, these results are in contradiction with the hypothesis of the size of mass-discrimination decreasing with the acceleration voltage. With the single detector magnetic sector instrument in particular (when operated by changing the ion energy only), our results pointed at more than only one major source of mass-discrimination, with variable size depending on the ratios measured.     

Factors influencing the QMF resolution for operation in stability zones 1 and 3

This study uses a computer model to simulate a quadrupole mass filter (QMF) instrument under different operating conditions for Mathieu stability zones 1 and 3. The investigation considers the factors that limit the maximum resolution (R_max), which can be obtained for a given QMF for a particular value of scan line. Previously, QMF resolution (R) has been found to be dependent on number (N) of radio frequency (rf) cycles experienced by the ions in the mass filter, according to R = N ⁿ /K, where n and K are the constants. However, this expression does not predict the limit to QMF resolution observed in practice and is true only for the linear regions of the performance curve for QMF operation in zone 1 and zone 3 of the stability diagram. Here we model the saturated regions of the performance curve for QMF operation in zone 1 according to R = q(1 – 2c ^N )/∆q, where c is a constant and ∆q is the width of the intersection of the operating scan line with the stability zone 1, measured at q-axis of the Mathieu stability diagram. Also by careful calculations of the detail of the stability tip of zone 1, the following relationship was established between R_max and percentage U/V ratio: R _max   = q/(0.9330-0.00933U/V). For QMF operation in zone 3 the expression R = a – bc ^N simulates well the linear and saturated regions of the performance curve for a range of operational conditions, where a, b, and c are constants.     

Analyzer scan modes for hybrid mass spectrometers

The scan modes that can be used to obtain daughter ion, parent ion, and constant neutral-loss spectra on hybrid mass spectrometers are derived for instruments with a quadrupole combined with a magnetic and/or electric sector. All combinations of sector/quadrupole and quadrupole/sector instruments are discussed. The advantages or lack thereof of the various scans are presented with respect to operation, resolution and potential artifacts.     

Final report on VAMAS round‐robin study to evaluate a correction method for saturation effects in DSIMS

A Versailles Project on Advanced Materials and Standards round robin test (RRT) has been conducted to evaluate the linearity of the instrumental intensity scale and correction method using an approximation intermediate extended dead time model with parameters derived from two different isotope depth profiles. Nine organizations in five countries participated. An arsenic‐implanted silicon wafer and a film of BN diffused into a Si wafer were supplied by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology along with instructions for the RRT. The instruments used to analyze ¹⁰³(AsSi)^? and ¹⁰⁵(AsSi)^? from arsenic‐implanted samples were five quadrupole‐type SIMS and four magnetic‐sector type SIMS. The instruments used to analyze ¹⁰B⁺ and ¹¹B⁺ from the BN‐diffused samples were three quadrupole‐type SIMS, four magnetic‐sector type SIMS, and one time‐of‐flight type SIMS. We validated the usefulness of the approximation intermediate extended dead time model to correct saturated intensities for all SIMS in this RRT. The optimum extension parameter ρ tends to be affected by the ratio of the maximum reliable intensity to the maximum intensity in raw profiles. From the ratio, ρ may be predicted when the intensity reaches full saturation. On the other hand, ρ is also affected by lateral non‐uniformity of intensity. In practice, because the maximum intensity does not reach full saturation and the intensity is not laterally uniform, ρ is likely to be smaller than its predicted value. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

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).     

The functional relationship scan in tandem mass spectrometry

A type of tandem mass spectrometric scan is described in which m₁ ⁺, m₂ ⁺ and m₃, defined in terms of the process m₁ ⁺ → m₂ ⁺ + m₃, are all varied while maintaining some prescribed relationship between them. The scan can be viewed as a variant upon the neutral loss scan in which the constant mass difference between parent and daughter ion masses is replaced by some other functional relationship. Specific examples of this scan are provided in two simple applications: (i) symmetrical proton-bound dimers are recognized using the functional scan m₂ = (m₁ + 1)/2; and (ii) symmetrical Diels–Alder adducts comprised of diene and dienophile of equal masses are recognized in mixtures using the scan function m₂ = (1/2)m₁.     

Single‐Scan Multidimensional NMR Analysis of Mixtures at Sub‐Millimolar Concentrations by using SABRE Hyperpolarization

Signal amplification by reversible exchange (SABRE) is a promising method to increase the sensitivity of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments. However, SABRE‐enhanced ¹H NMR signals are short lived, and SABRE is often used to record 1D NMR spectra only. When the sample of interest is a complex mixture, this results in severe overlaps for ¹H spectra. In addition, the use of a co‐substrate, whose signals may obscure the ¹H spectra, is currently the most efficient way to lower the detection limit of SABRE experiments. Here, we describe an approach to obtain clean, SABRE‐hyperpolarized 2D ¹H NMR spectra of mixtures of small molecules at sub‐millimolar concentrations in a single scan. The method relies on the use of para‐hydrogen together with a deuterated co‐substrate for hyperpolarization and ultrafast 2D NMR for acquisition. It is applicable to all substrates that can be polarized with SABRE.     

Magnet Design by Integration of Layer and Chain Magnetic Systems in a π‐Stacked Pillared Layer Framework

The control of inter‐lattice magnetic interactions is a crucial issue when long‐range ordered magnets that are based on low‐dimensional magnetic frameworks are designed. A “pillared layer framework (PLF)” model could be an efficient system for this purpose. In this report, A magnet based on a π‐stacked PLF with a phase transition temperature of 82 K, which can be increased to 107 K by applying a pressure of 12.5 kbar, is rationally constructed. Two types of low‐dimensional magnetic framework systems, an electron donor/acceptor magnetic layer and a charge transfer [FeCp*₂]⁺TCNQ^.? columnar magnet ([FeCp*₂]⁺=decamethylferrocenium; TCNQ=7,7,8,8‐tetracyano‐p‐quinodimethane), are integrated to fabricate the magnet. This synthetic strategy employing a combination of layers and chains is widely useful not only for magnet design, but also for the creation of multifunctional materials with pores and anisotropic frameworks.     

Strategies for isotope ratio measurements with a double focusing sector field ICP-MS

A single collector double focusing sector field ICP-MS is evaluated for the determination of isotope ratios. Spectral interferences (e.g. ⁴⁰Ar²³Na on ⁶³Cu) can lead to calculation of inaccurate ratios. The use of high resolution enables such interferences to be separated from the isotopes of interest. External reproducibilities of < 0.02% are shown for uninterfered isotopes (measured at low resolution R = 300) and < 0.1% for interfered isotopes which required the use of medium (R = 4000) and high resolution (R = 10000). Received: 11 January 1999 / Revised: 8 April 1999 / Accepted: 11 April 1999     

Strategies for isotope ratio measurements with a double focusing sector field ICP-MS

A single collector double focusing sector field ICP-MS is evaluated for the determination of isotope ratios. Spectral interferences (e.g. ⁴⁰Ar²³Na on ⁶³Cu) can lead to calculation of inaccurate ratios. The use of high resolution enables such interferences to be separated from the isotopes of interest. External reproducibilities of < 0.02% are shown for uninterfered isotopes (measured at low resolution R = 300) and < 0.1% for interfered isotopes which required the use of medium (R = 4000) and high resolution (R = 10000). Received: 11 January 1999 / Revised: 8 April 1999 / Accepted: 11 April 1999     

Examination of complex oligosaccharides by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry on time-of-flight and magnetic sector instruments

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) spectra of underivatized oligosaccharides of the type attached to asparagine in glycoproteins (N-linked oligosaccharides) were examined with linear time-of-flight (TOF) and magnetic sector instruments using 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (2,5-DHB), α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid, sinapinic acid, 1,4-dihydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxylic acid or 2-(4-hydroxyphenylazo)benzoic acid (HABA) as the matrices. All compounds formed abundant [M + Na]⁺ ions with the strongest signals being obtained from 2,5-DHB after recrystallization of the initially dried sample spot from ethanol. Only traces of fragmentation were detected from neutral oligosaccharides on the TOF system but more abundant fragment ions (about 5% relative abundance) were present in the spectra from the magnetic sector instrument. Fragmentation was dominated by Y-type glycosidic cleavages (Domon and Costello nomenclature) between all sugar residues yielding sequence and branching information. Sialic acid-containing oligosaccharides generally produced the sodium adduct of the sodium salt and gave much weaker signals than the neutral sugars in the positive-ion mode. There was also considerable loss of the sialic acid moleties as the result of fragmentation on the magnetic sector instrument. The least fragmentation of both neutral and acidic sugars was caused by 2.5 DHB, which proved to be the most appropriate matrix for examination of oligosaccharide mixtures. Much better resolution of the oligosaccharides was obtained than by traditional methods such as the use of Bio-Gel P-4 gel filtration column chromatography. It is worth noting also that the measurements were considerably faster (a few minutes as opposed to about 16 h). In addition, no radiolabelling was necessary as required for detection on the P-4 columns. Mixtures of oligosaccharides from several glycoproteins (ribonuclease B, human immunoglobulin G (IgG) transferrin, bovine fetuin and chicken ovalbumin) were examined and the patterns of the identified oligosaccharides were found to agree closely with the known compositions of the sugar mixtures. The mass spectrometric resolution on the magnetic sector instrument was very much better (up to 3000, FWHM) than could be obtained with the linear TOF systems (200–400). The technique was used as a detection system for the products of exoglycosidase digestion in experiments to determine the detailed structure of the oligosaccharide chains from human IgG.     

Development toward a double focusing isotopic separator for noble gas isotope enrichment

A double focusing sector field mass filter used in Nier–Johnson geometry has been built in order to perform Kr isotope enrichment for ⁸¹Kr and ⁸⁵Kr isotopes. The principle consists in implanting Kr⁺ ions accelerated at 7 keV in Al foils after separation using the magnetic sector. A specific ion source has been designed capable of generating high Kr⁺ ion beams (>0.5 μA) to transfer into the collecting Al foils in 3 to 5 h significant fractions of large Kr samples (10¹⁵ to 10¹⁶ atoms) initially introduced in the instrument. Implanted Kr isotopes can be further selectively released from the Al foil by surface ablation using an infrared laser beam. Implantation yields and enrichment factors are measured using a conventional mass spectrometer. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

In vivo topical magnetic resonance

NMR is rapidly extending biochemistry into the in vivo situation. This review provides a survey of the instrumental techniques necessary for high resolution spectra to be produced from a whole animal. The current areas of application are then reviewed for phosphorus, ¹³C topical magnetic resonance etc., and finally the potential areas for future development are outlined.