Structural elucidation of amino amide‐type local anesthetic drugs and their main metabolites in urine by LC‐MS after derivatization and its application for differentiation between positional isomers of prilocaine

The demand for clinical toxicology analytical methods for identifying drugs of abuse and medicinal drugs is steadily increasing. Structural elucidation of amino amide‐type local anesthetic drugs and their main metabolites by GC‐EI‐MS and LC‐ESI‐MS/MS is of great analytical challenge. These compounds exhibit only/mostly fragments/product ions representing the amine‐containing residue, while the aromatic amide moiety remains unidentified. This task becomes even more complicated when discrimination between positional isomers of such compounds is required. Here, we report the development of a derivatization procedure for the differentiation and structural elucidation of a mixture of local anesthetic drugs and their metabolites that possess tertiary and secondary amines in water and urine. A method based on two sequential “in‐vial” instantaneous derivatization processes at ambient temperature followed by LC‐ESI‐MS/MS analysis was developed. 2,2,2‐Trichloro‐1,1‐dimethylethyl chloroformate (TCDMECF) was utilized to selectively convert the secondary amines into their carbamate derivatives, followed by hydrogen peroxide addition to produce the corresponding tertiary amine oxides. The resulting derivatives exhibited rich fragmentation patterns, enabling improved structural elucidation of the original compounds. The developed method was successfully applied to the differentiation and structural elucidation of prilocaine and its four positional isomers, which all possess similar GC and LC retention times and four of them exhibit almost identical EI‐MS and ESI‐MS/MS spectra, enabling their structural elucidation in a single LC‐ESI‐MS/MS analysis. The developed technique is fast and simple and enables discrimination between isomers based on different diagnostic ions/fragmentation patterns.     

Development and evaluation of gas and liquid chromatographic methods for the analysis of fatty amines

In contrast to the plethora of publications on the separation of fatty acids, analogous studies involving fatty amines are scarce. A recently introduced ionic‐liquid‐based capillary column for GC was used to separate trifluoroacetylated fatty amines focusing on the analysis of a commercial sample. Using the ionic liquid column (isothermal mode at 200°C) it was possible to separate linear primary fatty amines from C₁₂ to C₂₂ chain length in less 25 min with MS identification. The log of the amine retention factors are linearly related to the alkyl chain length with a methylene selectivity of 0.117 kcal/mol for the saturated amines and 0.128 kcal/mol for the mono‐unsaturated amines. The sp² selectivity for unsaturated fatty amines also could be calculated as 0.107 kcal/mol for the ionic liquid column. The commercial sample was quantified by GC with flame ionization detection (FID). An LC method also was developed with a reversed phase gradient separation using acetonitrile/formate buffer mobile phases and ESI‐MS detection. Native amines could be detected and identified by their single ion monitoring chromatograms even when partial coelution was observed. The analysis of the commercial sample returned results coherent with those obtained by GC–FID and with the manufacturer's data.     

Safe and Efficient Reductive Methylation of Primary and Secondary Amines Using N-Methylpyrrolidine Zinc Borohydride

An efficient, general procedure for reductive methylation of primary and secondary amines with 37% formaldehyde using N-methylpyrrolidine zinc borohydride (ZBHNMP) as a reducing agent gave the corresponding tertiary amines in excellent yields. The reaction was carried out in tetrahydrofuran under neutral conditions at 0–10 °C.     

Detection of Anabolic Steroids By Gc/Sim/Ms With Trifluoroacetylation in Equine Plasma and Urine

ABSTRACT

A method to detect three anabolic steroids (boldenone, nandrolone and mesterolone) is presented. The anabolic steroids are isolated from equine plasma and urine by extraction with diethyl ether and C₁₈ Sep-Pak cartridge adsorption, respectively. The extracts obtained were derivatized with trifluoroacetyl anhydride and analyzed by GC/SIM/MS. The selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode was applied to increase the sensitivity and, when possible, the higher m/z ions were selected to improve identification. Stability of derivatives was good and compounds having hydroxy and conjugated ketone groups produced trifluoroacetyl ester derivatives that were also stable. Repeatability of the chromatographic analysis was evaluated on the basis of area repeatability, and the coefficient of variation obtained was lower than 4.4. The detection limit was 1 and 5 ng/ml for all the anabolic steroids studied in equine plasma and urine, respectively.     

Application of tandem mass spectrometry combined with gas chromatography and headspace solid-phase dynamic extraction for the determination of drugs of abuse in hair samples

A new method combination, headspace solid-phase dynamic extraction coupled with gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (HS-SPDE/GC/MS/MS), is introduced to determine drugs of abuse in hair samples. This highly automated procedure utilizes SPDE for pre-concentration and on-coating derivatization as well as GC and triple quadrupole MS/MS for selective and sensitive detection. All these steps, apart from washing and cutting of the hair samples, are performed without manual intervention on a robot-like autosampler.SPDE is a solventless extraction technique related to solid-phase microextraction (SPME). The analytes are absorbed from the sample headspace directly into a hollow needle with an internal coating of polydimethylsiloxane by repeated aspirate/dispense cycles.The HS-SPDE/GC/MS/MS procedure was applied to the analysis of methadone, the trimethylsilyl derivatives of cannabinoids and the trifluoroacetyl derivatives of amphetamines and designer drugs. The method was shown to be sensitive with detection limits between 6 and 52 pg/mg hair matrix and precision between 0.4 and 7.8% by the use of an internal standard technique. Linearity was obtained from 0.1-20 ng/mg with coefficients of correlation between 0.995 and 0.999.Compared with conventional methods of hair analysis, HS-SPDE/GC/MS/MS is easier to use, substantially faster, with the degree of sensitivity and reproducibility demanded in clinical and forensic toxicology. The main advantage of the SPDE technique in relation to SPME is the robustness of the capillary.     

Dehydrogenation of tertiary amines in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

In the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI TOF MS) analysis of various compounds synthesized in our laboratory, strong [M - H]+ ion peaks were often observed for the molecules with tertiary amino groups. In this work, the MALDI TOF MS behavior of two groups of compounds that incorporate tertiary amino moieties was investigated. One group is bisurea dimethylanilines (BUDMAs) prepared for the study of molecular recognition in thermoplastic elastomers, and the other group is the poly(propylene imine) diaminobutane dendrimers. The results clearly demonstrate the appearance of the [M - H]+ ions. In order to understand the possible mechanisms for the generation of these ions, a series of model compounds, ranging from primary to tertiary amines, were investigated. Unlike the tertiary amines, no [M - H]+ ion peaks were recorded for the primary amines, and only barely detectable ones, if any, for some secondary amines. It appears that the tertiary amino groups play an important role in the formation of these ions. In addition to MALDI TOF MS analysis, these samples were also applied to electrospray ionization (ESI) MS where no [M - H]+ ions were observed. The results indicate that the generation of [M - H]+ ion is due to the unique MALDI conditions and is likely to be formed via dehydrogenation of a protonated tertiary amine resulting in an N=C double bond. The absence of [M - H]+ ion peaks for the primary and secondary amines is probably because upon their formation these ions could easily transfer one proton to the corresponding amines in the MALDI gas-phase plume, yielding neutral imines that cannot be detected by MS.     

Analysis of six aromatic amines stability in workplace measurement

For aromatic amine determination in workplaces, stabilities of six types of carcinogenic aromatic amines (2,4-diaminotoluene, 4,4'-diamino-3,3'-dimethyldiphenylmethane, o-tolidine, 3,3'-dichlorobenzidine, 4,4'-methylenebis(2-chloroaniline), and o-dianisidine) were evaluated with air or argon gas bubbling for 45 min in aqueous solution under light irradiation (desk lamp) and heating conditions. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was used to identify and quantify the aromatic amines. The following conditions were selected: temperature program 70°C (1 min), 7 grad/min up to 120°C (1 min), 10 grad/min up to 300°C (5 min), carrier gas flow rate 1.0 mL/min. 3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine concentration decreased by approximately 10% after irradiation with a desk lamp for 45 min in distilled water, and a monochloro compound was detected by GC–MS. The other aromatic amines were rarely different from the 0-min concentration. The shielding prevented the decomposition of 3,3'-dichlorobenzidine in distilled water.     

Simultaneous determination of a spectrum of trichothecene toxins out of residuals of biogas production

A sensitive and selective method for the simultaneous determination of a spectrum of trichothecenes in residuals of biogas production has been developed. It comprises sample clean-up by liquid/liquid partition for digested manure and solid phase extraction for digested solid phase. Quantification of A- and B-type trichothecenes as their trifluoroacetyl derivatives is performed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS), that of B-type trichothecenes alternatively by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Fluorescence detection (FLD) after post-column derivatisation using methylacetoacetate and ammonium acetate after alkaline decomposition of toxins was applied. Detection limits in digestates were between 1 and 30 microg/l and 20 and 50 microg/l for GC/MS and HPLC/FLD, respectively. Recovery rates were between 52 and 129% for GC/MS detection with the exception of T-2 tetraol with 22%, and between 56 and 123% for HPLC/FLD.     

Development of single‐drop microextraction and simultaneous derivatization followed by GC‐MS for the determination of aliphatic amines in tobacco

In this work, for the first time, headspace (HS) single‐drop microextraction and simultaneous derivatization followed by GC‐MS was developed to determine the aliphatic amines in tobacco samples. In the HS extraction procedure, the mixture of derivatization reagent and organic solvent was employed as the extraction solvent for HS single‐drop microextraction and in situ derivatization of aliphatic amine in the samples. Fast extraction and simultaneous derivatization of the analytes were performed in a single step, and the obtained derivatives in the microdrop extraction solvent were analyzed by GC‐MS. The optimized experiment conditions were: sample preparation temperature of 80°C and time of 30 min, HS extraction solvent (the mixture of benzyl alcohol and 2,3,4,5,6‐pentafluorobenzaldehyde) volume of 2.0 μL, extraction time of 90 s. With the optimal conditions, the method validations were also studied. The method has good linearity (R² more than 0.99), accepted precision (RSD less than 13%), good recovery (98–104%) and low limit of detection (0.11–0.97 μg/g). Finally, the proposed technique was successfully applied to the analyses of aliphatic amines in tobacco samples of seven different brands. It was further demonstrated that the proposed method offered a simple, low‐cost and reliable approach to determine aliphatic amines in tobacco samples.     

Tertiary Amines Differentiated from Primary and Secondary Amines by Active Ester‐Functionalized Hexabenzoperylene in Field Effect Transistors

Herein, we report two novel derivatives of hexabenzoperylene (HBP) that are functionalized with ester groups. Methyl acetate functionalized HBP ( 1 ) in single crystals self‐assembles into a supramolecular nanosheet, which has a two‐dimensional π‐stack of HBP sandwiched between two layers of ester groups. With the same self‐assembly motif, active ester‐functionalized HBP ( 2 ) in field effect transistors has enabled differentiation of tertiary amines from primary and secondary amines, in agreement with the fact that active ester reacts with primary and secondary amines but not with tertiary amines to form amides.     

Synthesis of N,N‐Dialkyl‐9‐oxoacridine‐10(9H)‐carbothioamides via the Reaction of (2‐Halophenyl)(2‐isothiocyanatophenyl)methanones with Secondary Amines,Followed by Cyclization with NaH

The first preparation of acridin‐9(10H)‐ones carrying a tertiary thiocarbamoyl group at C(10), i.e., N,N‐dialkyl‐9‐oxoacridine‐10(9H)‐carbothioamides 9 , is described. The method is based on the reaction of (2‐halophenyl)(2‐isothiocyanatophenyl)methanones 7 , prepared from (2‐aminophenyl)(2‐halophenyl)methanones 5 by a convenient three‐step sequence, with secondary amines in DMF at room temperature to generate the corresponding thiourea derivatives 8 in situ, which are treated with NaH at 100–120° to provide the desired products in one‐pot reactions in generally good yields.     

Three-component one-pot process to propargylic amines and related amide and sulfonamide compounds: application to the construction of 2-(aminomethyl)benzofurans and indoles

An efficient palladium-copper-catalyzed three-component assembling of propargyl halides, aryl or heteroaryl halides, and secondary amines is described. A wide variety of tertiary propargylic amines were synthesized in good to excellent yields from easily accessible starting materials. This three-component assembling was also effective when using potassium phthalimide or di-tert-butyliminodicarbonate instead of secondary amines. Consequently, it provides a quick entry to N-protected propargylic amines suitable intermediates for the synthesis of primary and secondary propargylic amines. In a similar way, related compounds including propargylic amide, carbamate and sulfonamide derivatives were efficiently obtained. This catalytic domino three-component process has been applied successfully to the construction of functionalized 2-(aminomethyl)benzo[b]furan or indole derivatives of biological interest.     

Identification of amphetamine isomers by GC/IR/MS

The methods of gas chromatography/Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (GC/FTIR) and gas chromatography/infrared spectroscopy/mass spectrometry (GC/IR/MS) are evaluated for their ability to differentiate side chain isomers of amphetamine. It is found that absorption bands from 3000 to 2850 cm-1 and 900 to 650 cm-1 are most useful for differentiating the alkyl amines, while the bands from 1600 to 900 cm-1 are only useful for differentiating primary amines from the other substituted amines. The combination of GC/IR/MS is superior for differentiating these side chain isomers.     

Thiocarbamyolation of amine-containing compounds

Thiocarbamoylation of primary and secondary aliphatic amines with tetramethylthiuram disulfide in various solvents at different temperatures was studied. At 110°C, the reactions with primary amines afforded mixed,N,N-dimethyl-N′-alkyl(cycloalkyl)thioureas and symmetricalN,N′-dialkyl(cycloalkyl)thioureas as the final products, while the reactions with secondary amines gave mixtures of dithiocarbamate salts with “symmetrical” derivatives predominating.     

Novel Synthesis of Optically Active 2‐Ethylhexanoic Acid, 2‐Ethylhexanol,and 2‐Ethylhexylamine via the Asymmetric Favorskii Rearrangement

The asymmetric Favorskii rearrangement of optically active α‐haloketones, which are easily prepared from chiral menthyl‐4‐toluenesulfoxide in several steps using primary or secondary amines, yields their corresponding secondary or tertiary chiral amides. The secondary chiral amides were converted to acids or amines using acylation followed by hydrolysis or reduction. In addition, the tertiary amides were directly reduced to alcohol with Super‐Hydride^®.     

Carbene adduct of cyclopalladated ferrocenylimine‐assisted synthesis of aminopyridine derivatives by the amination of chloropyridines with primary and secondary amines

An efficient, simple way to synthesize aminopyridine derivatives is presented, based on Buchwald–Hartwig aminations. Using 1 mol% N‐heterocyclic carbene adduct of cyclopalladated ferrocenylimine in the presence of 1.5 equiv. ^tBuOK as base in dioxane at 110°C offered moderate to excellent yields in the reaction of chloropyridines with primary and secondary amines, including sterically hindered amines and alkyl amines.     

Transition-Metal Free Electrophilic Aminations of Polyfunctional O-2,4,6-Trimethylbenzoyl Hydroxylamines with Zinc and Magnesium Organometallics

We reported a new electrophilic amination of various primary, secondary and tertiary alkyl, benzylic, allylic zinc and magnesium organometallics with O-2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl hydroxylamines (O-TBHAs) in 52–99 % yield. These O-TBHAs displayed an excellent long-term stability and were readily prepared from various highly functionalized secondary amines via a convenient 3 step procedure. The amination reactions showed remarkable chemoselectivity proceeding without any transition-metal catalyst and were usually complete after 1–3 h reaction time at 25 °C. Furthermore, this electrophilic amination also provided access to enantioenriched tertiary amines (up to 88 % ee) by using optically enriched secondary alkylmagnesium reagents of the type s-AlkylMgCH₂SiMe₃.     

Qualitative confirmation procedure for ephedrines as acetonide derivatives in doping urine samples by gas chromatography/electron ionization mass spectrometry

Ephedrines are sympathomimetic amines which have central nervous system stimulating properties and, for this reason, some of them are forbidden in sport by the World Antidoping Agency (WADA). They are screened and quantitated in urine by several published techniques and confirmed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). In this paper, a simple and easy confirmation procedure for norpseudoephedrine, norephedrine, ephedrine and pseudoephedrine in human urine by GC/electron ionization (EI)‐MS is described. After the addition of diphenylamine as internal standard, a liquid‐liquid extraction procedure under alkaline conditions with tert‐butyl methyl ether was applied to the samples. The analytes were derivatized with acetone and pyridine to form the correspondent oxazolidine derivatives (acetonide). The EI mass spectra of all the studied substances have many diagnostic ions with relative abundance in accordance with WADA requirements and show great structural information content. The fragmentation of theses derivatives is discussed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Sensitive fluorescent detection and Lewis basicity of aliphatic amines

In this contribution is reported the sensitive properties of the Zn(II) Schiff base complex, 1, in dichloromethane with respect a series of primary, secondary, and tertiary aliphatic amines through the study of fluorescence enhancement upon amine coordination to the Lewis acidic Zn(II) metal center with formation of 1:1 adducts. It is found that complex 1 exhibits selectivity and nanomolar sensitivity for primary and alicyclic amines. A distinct selectivity is also observed along the series of secondary or tertiary amines, paralleling the increasing steric hindrance at the nitrogen atom. The binding interaction can be related to the Lewis basicity of the coordinating amine; thus, complex 1 represents a suitable reference Lewis acid, and estimated binding constants within the investigated amine series can be related to their relative Lewis basicity. A relative order of the Lewis basicity can be established for acyclic amines, primary > secondary > tertiary, while an inverted order, tertiary > secondary ≈ primary (acyclic), is found in the case of alicyclic amines. The present approach represents a simple, suitable method to ranking the relative Lewis basicity of aliphatic amines in low-polarity, nonprotogenic solvents.     

Reactivity of the 1,2-Diphenytethyl Radical in a Solvent Cage

The 1,2-diphcnylethyl radical and derivatives were generated from photolysis of tran-f-stilbene and its derivatives 1–13 with secondary amines as quenchers. The 1,2-diphenylelhyl radicals that escaped from the solvent cage were trapped by 2-methyl-2-nitrosopropane (MNP) and were detected by the HPLCEPR method. The yield of the spin adduct is greater for tertiary amines. The smaller yields of the spin adduct formed from secondary amines are ascribed to greater reactivities of the 1,2-diphenylethyl and dialkylamino radicals within the solvent cage.