Electrolytic deposition of metals on to the high-voltage contact in an electrospray emitter: implications for gas-phase ion formation

The electrospray ion source is an electrolytic flow cell. Electrolytic reactions in the electrospray emitter maintain the production of charged droplets by this ion source that contain an excess of ions of one polarity. These redox reactions necessarily change the composition of the solution that initially enters the emitter. As a result, the ions ultimately observed in the gas phase by electrospray mass spectrometry (ESMS) may be substantially influenced by both the nature and extent of these electrochemical reactions. It is demonstrated in this paper that Ag(+), Cu(2+) and Hg(2+) ions in solution can be electrolytically reduced and deposited as the respective metals on to the surface of the high-voltage contact in the electrospray emitter in negative ion mode electrospray. The deposited metals are shown to be liberated from the surface by switching the electrospray high-voltage polarity to operate in the positive ion mode. The deposited metals are oxidized in positive ion mode, releasing the metal ions back into solution where they are detected in the electrospray mass spectrum. In a semi-quantitative analysis, it was found that up to 50% of the Ag(+) in a 2.5 microM solution was deposited on the high-voltage contact of the emitter as the solution flowed through the emitter. Deposition of Cu(2+) and Hg(2+) was less efficient. These data illustrate that in the analysis of metals by ESMS, one must be aware that both the concentration and form of the metals may be altered by electrochemical processes in the emitter. Hence reduction or oxidation of metals in the electrospray emitter, which may remove ions from solution, or change metal valence, would be expected to impact both quantitative metal determinations and metal speciation attempts using ESMS.     

Metabolites of the Sea Isolate of Bacteria Streptomyces sp. 6167

Sea isolate of Streptomyces sp. 6167 was found to produce four macrolide antibiotics feigrisolides A, B, and D, and dinactin. The chemical structures of the compounds were determined using 1D and 2D NMR spectrometry and electrospray mass spectrometry (ESMS). It was shown that the feigrisolides are cytotoxic to Ehrlich carcinoma tumor cells and to egg-cells of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius and antimicrobial to the bacteria Bacillus cereus and Escherichia coli.     

Structure and electrospray mass spectrometry studies on dithiacyclooctan-3-ol-containing palladium (II) complex of trans -[Pd(dtco-3-OH)_2](ClO_4)_2·2DMSO

The structure of trans-[Pd(dtco-3-OH)2] (ClO4)2·2DMSO, in which dtco-3-OH is dithiacyclooctan-3-ol and DMSO is dimethyl sulfoxide, was determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis. The crystal data: space group pi, a = 0.7077(2) nm, b = 1.0788(1) nm, c = 1.1111(1) nm, α=67.710(8)°, β = 73. 59(2)°, γ = 85. 39(2)°,R1 = 0 . 0368 and Rw = 0.0998. The palladium (II) is coordinated by four sulfur atoms with a regular square planar configuration. The Pd-S distances are 0.2314(1) and 0.2317(1) nm, respectively. Both dtco-3-OH ligands are in the boat-chair configuration and two hydroxyl groups are on the opposite sites of the PdS4 coordination plane and are towards Pd(II). The Pd-O distance is 0. 285 nm, indicating a weak interaction between them. A typical hydrogen bond between the hydroxyl group of dtco-3-OH ligand and DMSO was observed in the crystal structure. An aqueous solution prepared with the crystals of the complex was used for the investigation of electrospray mass spectrometry ( ESMS ). Besid     

Electrospray Mass Spectrometry of Aqueous Solutions of Isopolyoxotungstates

Electrospray mass spectrometry (ESMS) has been conducted on aqueous solutions of isopolyoxotungstate systems. There is direct evidence that the desorption process in the ESMS technique has resulted in significant chemical effects, resulting in the detection of many new anions and cations. For the ammonium polyoxotungstate system, negative-ion ESMS yields ions of the form [HW _m O_3m+1]^–, [W _m O_3m+1]^2–, and [HW _m O_3m+2]^3– (with the latter being better formulated as [H₂W_2m O_6m+4]^6–). For the alkali metal polyoxotungstate systems ions of the form [W _m O_3m+1A]^– and [W _m O_4m A_2m–2]^2– (where A=Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺) were observed. For positive-ion ESMS two series were observed, namely, the [W _m O_4m A_2m+1]⁺ and [W _m O_4m A_2m+2]²⁺ ions. In the ammonium polyoxotungstate system, aggregates of both the [HW _m O_3m+1]^– and the [W _m O_3m+1]^2– series can be classified as open-chained structures of tetrahedra that are corner shared, whereas the more highly charged anions [H₂W_2m O_6m+4]^6– are consistent with closed-packed structures which are based on the structure of paratungstate-B [H₂W₁₂O₄₂]^10–. For the alkali metal tungstate systems, the ESMS spectra are consistent with open-chained structures of octahedral units that are edge shared, with a terminating tetrahedral unit. Linear correlations suggest that the assembly of these aggregates occurs via an additive polymerization mechanism for which the additive moieties (WO₃, WO²⁺ ₂, and W₂O₈A₄) in aqueous solution can be identified.     

Synthesis and stability study of dental monomers containing methacrylamidoethyl phosphonic acids

Three new dental monomers containing methacrylamidoethyl phosphonic acids were synthesized. The structures of the synthesized monomers were determined with electrospray mass spectrometry (ESMS), Fourier transform infrared, and NMR. The hydrolytic stabilities of the synthesized monomers and a commercial monomer, 2‐methacryloyloxyethyl phosphoric acid (MEP; used as a control), were studied with flow injection (FI)/ESMS, ¹H NMR, and ³¹P NMR analysis of a CD₃OD/D₂O (4:1 v/v) solution of each monomer before and after storage at 60 °C for 2 months. The ¹H NMR and ³¹P NMR chemical shifts of the monomers 2‐methacrylamidoethylphosphonic acid ( I ) and N,N′‐[4,4′‐(propane‐2,2‐diyl)‐bis(phenoxy‐2‐hydroxypropyl)]‐bis(2‐methacrylamidoethylphosphonic acid) ( II ) showed little change after storage at 60 °C for 2 months, but those of MEP changed significantly. FI/ESMS also showed that MEP was nearly completely decomposed, whereas monomers I and II remained largely intact. MEP could react with H₂ZrF₆ to form ternary zirconium fluoride complexes that were partially soluble in methanol, but all the monomers containing phosphonic acids formed precipitates. This study demonstrates that ESMS is a more sensitive and effective method than NMR for studying the hydrolytic stability or degradation of dental monomers. The new monomers containing methacrylamidoethyl phosphonic acids have higher hydrolytic stability than methacrylate phosphate monomers and may be used in dental bonding agents and other dental materials. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 99–110, 2007     

16-O-去甲基乌头碱的生物转化及电喷雾质谱研究

采用乌头碱和人肠内细菌体外温孵的方法, 探讨乌头碱在肠内的生物转化规律. 乌头类生物碱在ESI正离子模式条件下形成质子化分子[M＋H]^＋, 利用离子阱电喷雾串联质谱和傅立叶离子回旋共振电喷雾串联质谱方法可以直接分析乌头碱的转化产物. 本文首次报道了乌头碱在人肠内菌群环境中产生16-O-去甲基乌头碱, 16-O-去甲基乌头碱可进一步被肠内细菌转化, 通过脱乙酰基、脱苯甲酰基、脱甲基、脱羟基以及酯化反应, 产生新型的单酯型、双酯型和20余种脂类生物碱等转化产物.     

Electrospray mass spectrometry: a tool for elemental speciation

Recent progress in the development of electrospray mass spectrometry (ESMS) as a tool for elemental speciation is reviewed. Reports wherein ESMS is used to qualitatively determine the presence of metal ions (inorganic, organometallic and complexed) and non-metallic inorganic species have grown exponentially over the last decade. In addition to elemental speciation, impact in other areas such as gas-phase chemistry, inorganic–organometallic chemistry and biological mass spectrometry has been prolific. The review is structured to cover each of the areas listed above, and also includes a brief introduction, discussion of the electrospray process, discussion of instrumentation and other relevant application areas. An overview of the types of species/complexes studied is given in each section along with a brief discussion of the application objectives and analytical aspects. Analytical considerations for the development of ESMS as a tool for elemental speciation are also raised, including, application, quantitation, sensitivity, limitations and future directions. The impact of speciation strategies involving stand-alone ESMS, ESMS coupled with on-line separation techniques and the inclusion of ESMS in dual (multiple) technique strategies are presented. High backgrounds due to chemical noise and signal suppression (matrix effects) appear to be two important factors limiting sensitive detection of most analytes. The use of sample pre-treatment, pre-concentration or separation techniques is necessary to alleviate these problems. Although ESMS currently suffers from a number of limitations, continued instrumentation and methods development will improve its capability and diversify the impact of ESMS as a tool for elemental speciation.     

Electrospray mass spectrometry analysis of ferocenylketimines and their platinum(II) complexes

Ferrocenylketimines from ethylenediamine, trimethylenediamine, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine and ferrocenecarboxaldehyde were prepared and characterized by elementary analysis, Fourier Transform infrared (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and electrospray mass spectrometry (ESMS). Corresponding platinum(II) complexes were also prepared and characterized by elementary analysis, FTIR and ESMS. The results of ESMS are discussed in terms of stability and show that the complexes are unstable and undergo cyclometallation under relatively mild conditions of ionization. This study has also evidenced the possibility of formation of complexes having two metal ions bound to one ligand instead of the more favorable chelates.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel fluoride‐releasing monomers. II. Dimethacrylates containing bis(aminodiacetic acid) and their ternary zirconium fluoride complexes

Novel dimethacrylate monomers containing bis(aminodiacetic acid) chelating ligands with or without additional hydroxyl groups were synthesized, starting from 2,2‐bis(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methylphenyl)propane. The structures of the monomers were characterized by electrospray mass spectrometry (ESMS), ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR. The structures and relative stability of fluoride‐releasing monomers containing one or more ternary zirconium fluoride complex moieties were studied by ESMS. The most stable ternary zirconium fluoride complex was in the form of [LZrF]^?, where H₄L is the monomer containing bis(aminodiacetic acid) without additional hydroxyl groups. The synthesized monomer was photopolymerized with camphorquinone and 1‐phenyl‐1,2‐propane‐dione as initiators and N,N‐dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate as the accelerator. The fluoride release, fluoride recharge, compressive strength, and flexure strength were tested on the experimental dental composite containing 13.7 wt % synthesized monomer and three commercial flowable dental composites. The results showed that the experimental composite has significantly higher fluoride release and recharge capabilities than the commercial flowable composites. The compressive strength was comparable to that of the commercial materials. The water sorption and solubility met the requirement of the ISO Specification 4049. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 3153–3166, 2005     

Electrospray mass spectral fragmentation study of N,N′-disubstituted imidazolium ionic liquids

The tandem positive electrospray mass spectrometry (ESMS(n)) fragmentation of ionic liquids incorporating the 1-methyl-imidazolium ring substituted on N(II) with an alkyl chain functionalized with an alcohol, carboxylic acid, or an iodobenzyl or iodobenzoyl ester is presented for the first time. The influence of chain length and function is studied. Esterified structures led to intense CID fragments lacking the imidazolium ring allowing full characterization of the ester moiety. Fragment ion compositions for this interesting and newly important class of compounds are established through accurate mass data and deuterium labeling. The presence of the cationic ring system produces intense even electron molecular cations in electrospray that undergo multiple stages of CID to yield fragments which often are radical cations. Unusual losses of methyl and hydrogen radicals are frequently noted.     

Fate studies of the non-ionic surfactant alkyl glucamide by liquid chromatography/electrospray mass spectrometry

Alkyl glucamides (AGs) were analyzed by reversed-phase liquid chromatography (LC) coupled to mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization (ESMS). Analytes were separated according to the chain length of two homologs, C12- and C14-glucamide. Mass spectrometric detection in the positive ion mode exhibited higher overall sensitivity where, apart from fragments, different molecular and quasi-molecular ions were obtained. However, application of the negative ion mode offered advantages in terms of reproducibility and extent of information when analyzing environmental samples. Therefore, a simple and sensitive analytical methodology was developed for the determination of AGs in municipal sewage treatment plant influent and effluent based on solid-phase enrichment, LC separation and negative ion ESMS quantification. After preconcentration of 100 ml of aqueous sample, the recoveries using polymeric LiChrolut EN cartridges exceeded 89%. A quantification limit of 0.1 microg l(-1) was achieved. Studies on the biodegradability and metabolic pathway of C10-glucamide were carried out on a laboratory-scale microbial test unit under aerobic conditions. A postulated metabolism including omega-oxidation of the alkyl chain followed by subsequent beta-oxidations was checked by LC/ESMS. Identification and formation of 'C4-glucamide acid' as a degradation intermediate was confirmed by mass spectrometric studies. Higher homolog acids such as C10-, C8- and C6-glucamide acids, which should be predicted precursors of C4-glucamide acid, and any other metabolites, were not detectable, presumably owing to rapid breakdown.     

A study of characteristic fragmentation of isoflavonoids by using negative ion ESI-MSn

Isoflavone mono‐O‐glycosides were investigated by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry with a quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometer in negative ion mode. Isoflavonoids having different positions of glycosylation or methylation were differentiated according to the relative abundances of Y₀^? and [Y₀? H]^?? ions generated from the [M ? H]^? ion. It is found that the site of glycosyl or methyl group significantly affects relative abundances of the Y₀^? and [Y₀? H]^?? ions. In addition, the characteristic ion [Y₀? 2H]^? was observed in the product ion spectrum of genistein 7‐O‐β‐D ‐glucoside and was also detected, together with the [Y₀? CH₃]^?? and [Y₀? H ? CH₃]^? ions in the product ion spectra of glycitin and 6‐methoxy genistein 7‐O‐β‐D ‐glucoside. The structures of isoflavonoids can be characterized and identified according to the formation of these diagnostic ions. The results obtained from this investigation can promote the rapid identification of isoflavonoids in crude plant extracts. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An isomer-specific high-energy collision-induced dissociation MS/MS database for forensic applications: a proof-of-concept on chemical warfare agent markers

Spectra database search has become the most popular technique for the identification of unknown chemicals, minimizing the need for authentic reference chemicals. In the present study, an isomer‐specific high‐energy collision‐induced dissociation (CID) MS/MS spectra database of 12 isomeric O‐hexyl methylphosphonic acids (degradation markers of nerve agents) was created. Phosphonate anions were produced by the electrospray ionization of phosphonic acids or negative‐ion chemical ionization of their fluorinated derivatives and were analysed in a hybrid magnetic‐sector–time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometer. A centre‐of‐mass energy (E_com) of 65 eV led to an optimal sequential carbon–carbon bond breakage, which was interpreted in terms of charge remote fragmentation. The proposed mechanism is discussed in comparison with the routinely used low‐energy CID MS/MS. Even‐mass (odd‐electron) charge remote fragmentation ion series were diagnostic of the O‐alkyl chain structure and can be used to interpret unknown spectra. Together with the odd‐mass ion series, they formed highly reproducible, isomer‐specific spectra that gave significantly higher database matches and probability factors (by 1.5 times) than did the EI MS spectra of the trimethylsilyl derivatives of the same isomers. In addition, ionization by negative‐ion chemical ionization and electrospray ionization resulted in similar spectra, which further highlights the general potential of the high‐energy CID MS/MS technique. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cytotoxic metabolites of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptimonospora salina</Emphasis>

Streptimonospora salina gen. nov., sp. nov. was found to produce three phenoxazinone antibiotics, 2-amino-3H-phenoxazin-3-one (1), 2-methylamino-3H-phenoxazin-3-one (2), 2-acetylamino-3H-phenoxazin-3-one (3), and one phenazine antibiotic, phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (4). The chemical structures of the compounds were determined using 1D and 2D NMR spectrometry and electrospray mass spectrometry (ESMS). Compounds 1-4 exhibited modest cytotoxicity against a human renal carcinoma cell line ACHN with IC₅₀ values of 35.4, 12.4, 65.4, and 82.9 μM, respectively. Compound 2 was discovered for the first time from a biological origin. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 405–406, July–August, 2008     

Complexes of dichloro(ethylenediamine)palladium(II) observed from aqueous solutions by electrospray mass spectrometry

Aqueous solutions of dichloro(ethylenediamine)palladium(II) were investigated using electrospray mass spectrometry (ESMS). The most abundant peak (m/z 436.8) was attributed to the dimeric Pd(en)Cl2.Pd(en)Cl+ ion. We conjecture that the structures of the observed ions arise from the clustering of the hydrolysis products of the parent compound. This hypothesis was tested experimentally by carrying out a series of collision-induced dissociation (CID) experiments and deuterium exchange reactions. It was also assessed by performing density functional theory (DFT) calculations, from which optimized structures and reaction energetics were obtained. These results were compared with our earlier ESMS study of an aqueous Pd(en)Br2 solution. Calculations were also carried out on the Pd(en)Br2 system to facilitate the comparisons. Conclusions are drawn regarding the species present in the two aqueous solutions.     

Rhenium-Based Hydrosols: Preparation and Properties

Transmission electron microscope (TEM), ultraviolet-visible (UV/vis), electrospray mass spectrometric (ESMS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) studies are presented on a little studied rhenium hydrosol system produced by reduction of aqueous K(2)ReCl(6) with hydrazine in the presence or absence of a gum arabic protecting agent. The studies indicate that hydrazine-generated "rhenium hydrosols" are unstable in water and slowly dissolve over time in aqueous media to form the highly stable perrhenate ion. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.     

Electrochemical/electrospray mass spectrometric studies of electrochemically stimulated ATP release from PP/ATP films

Polypyrrole (PP)/adenosine triphosphate (ATP) was chosen as a conducting polymer/anionic drug model to serve as a bioactive releasing material for ATP. The process of ATP release from PP/ATP films was investigated for the first time by electrochemical electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (EC/ESMS). This technique allowed the simultaneous and direct detection of ATP and its related species during electrochemical release. In the experiments, suitable solvent conditions were found for both the electrochemical release and the electrospray mechanisms. EC/ESMS results showed that continuous potential cycles allowed a higher ATP release rate than potential steps. It was also found that the film thickness is an important factor affecting the rate and the amount of electrochemical ATP release.     

Authentication of Gentiana straminea Maxim. and its substitutes based on chemical profiling of iridoids using liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry

A liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–ion‐trap mass spectrometry (MSⁿ) method was established and applied for authentication of Gentiana straminea from the four substitutes, G. tibetica, G. lhassica, G. waltonii and G. robusta, based on chemical profiling of the principal iridoid glucosides aided by a quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. The fragmentation pathways of the three representative iridoid glucosides, loganic acid, gentiopicroside and sweroside, were investigated by MSⁿ analysis in negative ion mode, which assisted the characterization of analogs detected in the chromatographic profiling of the tested Gentiana species. In total, 25 iridoids were identified or tentatively characterized from G. straminea and four substitutes, in which 7‐O‐(4′′‐O‐glucosyl)coumaroyl‐loganic acid and 7‐O‐coumaroyl‐loganic acid are diagnostic in G. straminea and can serve as the proposed chemical markers to discriminate it from morphologically similar substitutes.     

Desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometric analysis of organophosphorus chemical warfare agents using ion mobility and tandem mass spectrometry

Desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (DESI‐MS) has been applied to the direct analysis of sample media for target chemicals, including chemical warfare agents (CWA), without the need for additional sample handling. During the present study, solid‐phase microextraction (SPME) fibers were used to sample the headspace above five organophosphorus CWA, O‐isopropyl methylphosphonofluoridate (sarin, GB), O‐pinacolyl methylphosphonofluoridate (soman, GD), O‐ethyl N,N‐dimethyl phosphoramidocyanidate (tabun, GA), O‐cyclohexyl methylphosphonofluoridate (cyclohexyl sarin, GF) and O‐ethyl S‐2‐diisopropylaminoethyl methyl phosphonothiolate (VX) spiked into glass headspace sampling vials. Following sampling, the SPME fibers were introduced directly into a modified ESI source, enabling rapid and safe DESI of the toxic compounds. A SYNAPT HDMS? instrument was used to acquire time‐aligned parallel (TAP) fragmentation data, which provided both ion mobility and MSⁿ (n = 2 or 3) data useful for the confirmation of CWA. Unique ion mobility profiles were acquired for each compound and characteristic product ions of the ion mobility separated ions were produced in the Triwave? transfer collision region. Up to six full scanning MSⁿ spectra, containing the [M + H]⁺ ion and up to seven diagnostic product ions, were acquired for each CWA during SPME fiber analysis. A rapid screening approach, based on the developed methodology, was applied to several typical forensic media, including Dacron sampling swabs spiked with 5 µg of CWA. Background interference was minimal and the spiked CWA were readily identified within one minute on the basis of the acquired ion mobility and mass spectrometric data. Copyright © 2010 Crown in the right of Canada. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nucleophile addition of reduced glutathione on 2-methyl-2-nitroso compound: A combined electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and electrospray tandem mass spectrometry study

Mass spectrometry (MS) was used in conjunction with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) to characterize products arising from reactions between reduced glutathione (GSH) and 2-methyl 2-nitroso propane (MNP) in an oxidative medium, to evaluate the reactivity of this tripeptide as a nucleophile toward a nitroso compound. Depending on the experimental conditions, different radical species could be detected by EPR, which allowed some structural assumptions. These samples were then submitted to electrospray ionization, in both positive and negative ion modes, for structural elucidation in tandem mass spectrometry. Although the primary nitroxide products could not be detected in MS, structurally related compounds such as hydroxylamine and O-methyl hydroxylamine could be fully characterized. In the absence of light, a S-adduct was formed via a Forrester-Hepburn reaction, that is, a nucleophile addition of MNP onto the thiol function in reduced glutathione to yield a hydroxylamine intermediate, further oxidized into nitroxide. In contrast, irradiating the reaction medium with visible light could allow an inverted spin trapping reaction to take place, involving the oxidation of both MNP and GSH before the nucleophilic addition of the sulfenic acid function onto the nitrogen of MNP, yielding a so-called O-adduct. It was also found that dilution of the reaction medium with methanol for the purpose of electrospray ionization could allow nitroxides to be indirectly observed either as hydroxylamine or O-methyl hydroxylamine species.