Ionic (liquid) matrices for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry—applications and perspectives

A large number of matrix substances have been used for various applications in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI MS). The majority of matrices applied in ultraviolet-MALDI MS are crystalline, low molecular weight compounds. A problem encountered with many of these matrices is the formation of hot spots, which lead to inhomogeneous samples, thus leading to increased measurement times and hampering the application of MALDI MS for quantitative purposes. Recently, ionic (liquid) matrices (ILM or IM) have been introduced as a potential alternative to the classical crystalline matrices. ILM are equimolar mixtures of conventional MALDI matrix compounds such as 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB), α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CCA) or sinapinic acid (SA) together with organic bases [e.g., pyridine (Py), tributylamine (TBA) or N,N-dimethylethylenediamine (DMED)]. The present article presents a first overview of this new class of matrices. Characteristic properties of ILM, their influence on mass spectrometric parameters such as sensitivity, resolution and adduct formation and their application in the fields of proteome analysis, the measurement of low molecular weight compounds, the use of MALDI MS for quantitative purposes and in MALDI imaging will be presented. Scopes and limitations for the application of ILM are discussed.     

Ion mobility spectrometry—mass spectrometry performance using electrodynamic ion funnels and elevated drift gas pressures

The ability of ion mobility spectrometry coupled with mass spectrometry (IMS-MS) to characterize biological mixtures has been illustrated over the past eight years. However, the challenges posed by the extreme complexity of many biological samples have demonstrated the need for higher resolution IMS-MS measurements. We have developed a higher resolution ESI-IMS-TOF MS by utilizing high-pressure electrodynamic ion funnels at both ends of the IMS drift cell and operating the drift cell at an elevated pressure compared with that conventionally used. The ESI-IMS-TOF MS instrument consists of an ESI source, an hourglass ion funnel used for ion accumulation/injection into an 88 cm drift cell, followed by a 10 cm ion funnel and a commercial orthogonal time-of-flight mass spectrometer providing high mass measurement accuracy. It was found that the rear ion funnel could be effectively operated as an extension of the drift cell when the DC fields were matched, providing an effective drift region of 98 cm. The resolution of the instrument was evaluated at pressures ranging from 4 to 12 torr and ion mobility drift voltages of 16 V/cm (4 torr) to 43 V/cm (12 torr). An increase in resolution from 55 to 80 was observed from 4 to 12 torr nitrogen drift gas with no significant loss in sensitivity. The choice of drift gas was also shown to influence the degree of ion heating and relative trapping efficiency within the ion funnel.     

Liquid chromatography—Electrospray mass spectrometry for detection and isolation of an antifungal acetophenone fromRibes rubrum (Saxifragaceae)

Summary An antifungal acetophenone glycoside has been isolated from the methanol extract of the roots ofRibes rubrum (Saxifragaceae). The structure was established by spectrometric (UV, mass spectrometry, and¹H and¹³C NMR) and chemical methods. Extracts of four different tissues ofR. rubrum, the fruits, leaves, stem bark, and roots, have been compared by use of HPLC combined with UV detection and electrospray-ionization mass spectrometry (ES-MS).     

Solvatochromism and piezochromism of pentacyanoferrates(II) and of mixed valence iron(II)—iron(III) and ruthenium(II)—ruthenium(III) species

Pressure effects on the MLCT bands of the pyrazine- and 4-cyanopyridine-pentacyanoferrate(II) anions have been established. The relation of these piezochromic effects to the solvatochromism of each complex is put into the correlation between these parameters developed for other d⁶ ternary complexes. The conformance of piezochromic and solvatochromic efrects on MMCT bands for diiron and diruthenium mixed valence complexes to this correlation is examined.     

Liquid secondary ion mass spectrometry of several β-diketonates of cobalt(III) and chromium(III)

The positive, liquid secondary ion (LSI) mass spectra of six cobalt(III) and three chromium(III) (β-diketonates ligand = L^?) were examined in a 3-nitrobenzyl alcohol matrix. The complexes of both metals yield clean, matrix-free mass spectra, but there are important differences between them. The cobalt compounds show prominent peaks assignable to the molecular ion, CoL ₃ ⁺ , of the monomeric chelates, together with abundant dimeric ions, such as Co₂L ₄ ⁺ and Co₂L ₃ ⁺ ; in contrast, chromium complexes show protonated monomers, CrL₃H⁺, in addition to ionized monomers, CrL ₃ ⁺ , and only minor formation of dimeric ions. The collisionally-activated dissociation (CAD) mass spectrum of Co₂L ₄ ⁺ shows fragmentation to CoL ₂ ⁺ and Co₂L ₃ ⁺ . That of Co₂L ₃ ⁺ shows fragmentation only to dimeric ions, including Co₂L ₂ ⁺ and, for thienyl or phenyl substituted ligands, to Co₂L₂Ar⁺ or Co₂LAr⁺ (Ar = thienyl or phenyl). Neither Co₂L ₄ ⁺ nor Co₂L ₃ ⁺ dissociates to the CoL ₃ ⁺ ion. The LSI mass spectrum of a mixture of two different cobalt chelates shows dimeric ions containing both types of ligand, which can be explained by ion-molecule reactions in the selvedge region. The differing behaviors of the cobalt and chromium complexes is attributed to the relatively greater stability of the +2 oxidation state for cobalt than for chromium.     

Polyatomic ions in thermal ionisation mass spectrometry — challenges and opportunities

Polyatomic ions, often considered as causing interference in ICP-MS, SSMS and GDMS, are useful in thermal ionisation mass spectrometry (TIMS) for determining the atomic ratios of the elements, particularly for light elements. The objective of this paper is to provide a detailed discussion on the handling of the isotopic measurement data in TIMS using polyatomic ions, a useful technique for light elements, to reduce isotope fractionation effects. Taking as an example the Li₂BO₂⁺ ion for the determination of the ⁶Li/⁷Li or ¹⁰B/¹¹B ratio of the unknown sample, a detailed theoretical analysis is presented for optimum selection of the pair of polyatomic ions to be used to determine the isotopic ratio of the element. The theory is supported by experimental data from the literature in three different examples: (i) the isotopic analysis of natural Li samples using the SRM-951-B isotopic standard; (ii) the isotopic analysis of an enriched ⁶Li sample using SRM-951-B; (iii) the isotopic analysis of an enriched ¹⁰B sample using natural Li (Svec standard). It is shown that the four polyatomic peaks observed in the m/z range of 54–57 are of practical importance. A qualitative idea can be obtained about the isotopic composition of Li and B in the sample (natural or enriched) based on the intensity distribution of these four peaks in the mass spectrum. When calculating accurate atomic ratios from the observed intensities of the polyatomic peaks, a simple “rule of thumb” should be kept in mind: the polyatomic ratio that is closer to the expected atomic ratio provides an accurate value of the atomic ratio of the element in the unknown sample. Even between the two polyatomic ion ratios, better accuracy is possible in cases which do not magnify the error during calculation and show less isotopic fractionation in the ion source. It has been stressed that the two peaks of highest intensity in the polyatomic ion are not necessarily the best for arriving at atomic ratios during the analyses of unknown samples, for depleted as well as enriched ⁶Li and ¹⁰B samples.     

Narrow and broad band diode laser absorption spectrometry—concepts,limitations and applications

Implementation concepts as well as the fundamental aspects concerning the analytical capability of diode laser spectrometry with respect to narrow and broad band absorption are discussed. The applicability is illustrated by means of the element-selective analysis of flames or plasmas and the molecular analysis of liquids or turbid media. While in narrow band absorption one diode laser and different modulation techniques can be applied to obtain very low detection limits, two diode lasers and a double-beam scheme should be used when the absorption bands are very broad. The two-laser, double-beam method is demonstrated by means of absorption measurements in a turbid medium and by concentration analyses of liquid samples applying the surface plasmon resonances technique.     

Speciation of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) ions using a β-cyclodextrin-crosslinked polymer micro-column and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

A sensitive and selective method for the speciation of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in water samples was developed. It is based on the selective binding of the complex formed between Cr(III) and 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol adsorbed on a cross-linked polymer modified with β-cyclodextrin and placed in a micro-column. Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) was used to quantify chromium. Cr(VI) ion is not adsorbed but remains in the aqueous sample phase. Thus, an in-situ separation of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) is accomplished. The concentration of Cr (VI) was calculated by subtracting the value for Cr(III) from that for total chromium. Under optimum conditions, the limit of detection of Cr(III) is 0.056 μg L^?1, and the linear range is from 2.0 to 160.0 μg L^?1. The relative standard deviation is 2.5% (n?=?3, at 30.0 μg L^?1). The preconcentration factor is 25. The method was applied to the speciation of chromium in water samples, and recoveries in spiked real samples range from 101.9% to 104.5%. A reference water sample (GBW(E)080642) also was analyzed, and the results were in good agreement with the certified values.

Mass spectral studies of 1-(2-chloroethoxy)-2-[(2-chloroethyl)thio]ethane and related compounds using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography–triple quad mass spectrometry (GC-QQQ)

The electron impact and collision-ion-dissociation mass spectra of 1-(2-chloroethoxy)-2-[(2-chloroethyl) thio]ethane (1) and 10 related molecules were obtained using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and gas chromatography–triple quad mass spectrometry. These mass spectral studies were performed to facilitate the development of a spectral database of mustard-related compounds for verification purposes of the Chemical Weapons Convention. The proposed fragmentation pathways of each individual molecule (1–11) are reported along with rationalizations for the most characteristic ions.     

Thermal Analysis of Poly(AN—co—St) and Poly(AN—St—MMA)

Poly(AN—co—St) (PAS) and poly(AN—St—MMA)(PASM) were synthetized by emulsion polymerisation. The glass transition temperatures (T_g) of the copolymers and the relationship between T_g and the components of the copolymers were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry. The results show that T_g for the AN—St bipolymers has apeak value in the range 115–118°C at a content of 50 mass% St. When methyl methacrylate was added, the T_g of the terpolymer was decreased by about 2–6°C.The thermostability and the activation energy E of degradation were determined by thermogravimetric analysis.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Ionization and transmission efficiency in an electrospray ionization—mass spectrometry interface

The ionization and transmission efficiencies of an electrospray ionization (ESI) interface were investigated to advance the understanding of how these factors affect mass spectrometry (MS) sensitivity. In addition, the effects of the ES emitter distance to the inlet, solution flow rate, and inlet temperature were characterized. Quantitative measurements of ES current loss throughout the ESI interface were accomplished by electrically isolating the front surface of the interface from the inner wall of the heated inlet capillary, enabling losses on the two surfaces to be distinguished. In addition, the ES current lost to the front surface of the ESI interface was spatially profiled with a linear array of 340-microm-diameter electrodes placed adjacent to the inlet capillary entrance. Current transmitted as gas-phase ions was differentiated from charged droplets and solvent clusters by measuring sensitivity with a single quadrupole mass spectrometer. The study revealed a large sampling efficiency into the inlet capillary (>90% at an emitter distance of 1 mm), a global rather than a local gas dynamic effect on the shape of the ES plume resulting from the gas flow conductance limit of the inlet capillary, a large (>80%) loss of analyte ions after transmission through the inlet arising from incomplete desolvation at a solution flow rate of 1.0 microL/min, and a decrease in analyte ions peak intensity at lower temperatures, despite a large increase in ES current transmission efficiency.     

Mass spectrometry and inflammation—MS methods to study oxidation and enzyme-induced changes of phospholipids

Many diseases such as arthritis or atherosclerosis are accompanied by inflammatory processes. Inflammation is characterized by the infiltration of cells such as neutrophilic granulocytes and (a) the release of phospholipases [particularly phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂)] and (b) the generation of reactive oxygen as well as nitrogen species (ROS and RNS). While PLA₂ leads to defined lyso products (lacking one acyl residue), lipid oxidation is characterized by much more complex product patterns, including lipid peroxides, aldehydes (by double bond cleavage), and many others. Nevertheless, oxidation processes are highly important under in vivo conditions because molecules with regulatory functions are generated by the oxidation of lipids and/or free fatty acids. Therefore, lipid oxidation products as well as lysolipids are increasingly assumed to represent important disease (bio)markers. Consequently, there is also increasing interest in methods to characterize these products qualitatively and quantitatively. Mass spectrometry (MS) seems to be the method of choice to study (phospho)lipids changed under inflammatory conditions: nowadays, soft ionization MS methods are regularly used to study oxidative lipid modifications because of their high sensitivities and the tremendous mass resolutions that are achievable by using modern mass spectrometers. However, experimental care is required to be able to detect all relevant products. Although electrospray ionization (ESI) MS is so far most popular, applications of matrix-assisted laser desorption and ionization (MALDI) MS are continuously increasing. This review aims to summarize the so far available data on MS analyses of oxidized lipids as well as lysolipids. In addition to model systems, special attention will be paid to the monitoring of oxidized lipids and lysolipids under in vivo conditions. It is the aim of this review to provide a critical survey of the advantages and drawbacks of the different MS methods, with the focus on MALDI and ESI.

Intensity-tunable micelles and films containing bimetal ions—europium(III) and terbium(III)

In this paper, multicolored micelles were prepared by coordination of lanthanide(III) (europium(III) (Eu(III)) and terbium(III) (Tb(III))) ions with block copolymer in different molar ratios of n _Eu(III)/n _Tb(III). The micelles formed by polymer–Eu(III)/Tb(III) could emit higher quantum yield luminescence than the mixture of polymer–Eu(III) micelles and polymer–Tb(III) micelles. The micelles containing Eu(III) and Tb(III) could emit a yellow-green color, and the intensity varied with the molar ratios of n _Eu(III)/n _Tb(III). In the constant concentrations of Eu(III) and 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen), the intensity of ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ increased with the addition of Tb(III), and the intensity of ⁵D₄→⁷F₅ decreased with the increasing of Eu(III) in the constant concentrations of Tb(III) and Phen. All the multicolored micelles could be spin-coated as intensity-tunable films.     

Application of multi-capillary column – ion mobility spectrometry (MCC-IMS) in rubber chemistry and technology

In this paper the possibility for authentication and differentiation of various styrene butadiene rubbers (SBRs) was investigated. Seven types of SBR were analyzed by multi-capillary column (MCC) ion mobility spectrometer (IMS) and their spectra compared. The analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) releasing from the rubbers revealed the presence of characteristics signals, which can be assigned only to a specific material. Such “markers”, when defined for other polymer materials, can be used for their authentication. In the second part of the paper, the blend of epoxidized natural rubber and poly-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate (ENR/P(3,4)HB) was subjected to different types of aging. MCC-IMS spectra of not aged, thermal, climatic and UV aged samples were collected and differences between the signals discussed. The study showed possibility of authentication of polymeric materials and processes. The paper is a some kind of introduction to the use of analytical properties and advantages of MCC-IMS technique in chemistry, technology and exploitation of polymer materials.     

Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) – a versatile and selective detector for trace element speciation

AAS as a highly sensitive and specific single element technique is ideally suited as a detector for speciation analysis. The combinations of chromatographic separation with element specific detectors (flame AAS, electrothermal AAS (ETAAS), hydride generation AAS (HGAAS)) provide powerful approaches to the determination of all species. Sample stabilisation is the area that requires most attention as it still represents the main source of problems encountered in speciation work. The correct speciation depends on how the sample is handled prior to analysis. Unfortunately, no universal procedure has been found. Anything that changes redox conditions, pH or complexation equilibrium is clearly unacceptable.     

Study of cis–trans stereochemistry of 2-(2-chlorobenzylideneamino)phenol and 2-(2-chlorophenyl imino)methyl)phenol (Schiff bases) by GC and GC-MS spectrometry

Cis–trans stereochemistry of 2-(2-chlorobenzylideneamino)phenol (1) and 2-(2-chlorophenyl imino)methyl)phenol (2) (Schiff bases) was studied by GC-MS spectrometry, and cis–trans conversion of the two compounds in solution was investigated by GC. Thus, 2 exists as a sole trans configuration and its conversion to cis was unsuccessful in any circumstance, while compound 1 exists as a mixture of two configurations in solution, occurrence of which were dependent on the temperature, heating time, solvent, and acid catalyst. X-ray crystallography of solid 1 presented a sole trans configuration.     

Determination of pesticides and Pharmaceuticals from Fish Cultivation Water by parallel solid-phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS)

A screening method for multiple classes of pesticides and pharmaceuticals from fish cultivation water was established using liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS). Parallel solid-phase extraction (SPE) with different adsorbents was selected for extracting and purifying analytes with different properties. This method allowed for efficient and economical screening of a virtually unlimited number of compounds without reference standards. In order to evaluate the feasibility of this method, 25 pesticides and pharmaceuticals with different properties were selected. The screening detection limit of this method was 0.015?µg L^?1, which was lower than the maximum residue limits. This value showed that the method was suitable for screening organic contaminants in fish cultivation water. In a simulation experiment, the organic contaminants with high intensity (atrazine and carbendazim) were identified by retention time, accurate mass, isotopic pattern, and the main fragment ions. Moreover, the information about the organic contaminants and MS² spectra was added into a database. Since the QTOF-MS data were traceable, they were saved and could be reexamined for compounds that previously were unexpected. This method provides insight into the screening and identification of organic contaminants in water samples, as well as risk assessment and fishery accident identification.     

An analytical investigation of 24 oxygenated-PAHs (OPAHs) using liquid and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

We developed two independent approaches for separation and quantitation of 24 oxygenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OPAHs) using both liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization/mass spectrometry (LC-APCI/MS) and gas chromatography-electron impact/mass spectrometry (GC-EI/MS). Building on previous OPAH research, we examined laboratory stability of OPAHs, improved existing method parameters, and compared quantification strategies using standard addition and an internal standard on an environmental sample. Of 24 OPAHs targeted in this research, 19 compounds are shared between methods, with 3 uniquely quantitated by GC-EI/MS and 2 by LC-APCI/MS. Using calibration standards, all GC-EI/MS OPAHs were within 15 % of the true value and had less than 15 % relative standard deviations (RSDs) for interday variability. Similarly, all LC-APCI/MS OPAHs were within 20 % of the true value and had less than 15 % RSDs for interday variability. Instrument limits of detection ranged from 0.18 to 36 ng mL^?1 on the GC-EI/MS and 2.6 to 26 ng mL^?1 on the LC-APCI/MS. Four standard reference materials were analyzed with each method, and we report some compounds not previously published in these materials, such as perinaphthenone and xanthone. Finally, an environmental passive sampling extract from Portland Harbor Superfund, OR was analyzed by each method using both internal standard and standard addition to compensate for potential matrix effects. Internal standard quantitation resulted in increased precision with similar accuracy to standard addition for most OPAHs using 2-fluoro-fluorenone-¹³C as an internal standard. Overall, this work improves upon OPAH analytical methods and provides some considerations and strategies for OPAHs as focus continues to expand on this emerging chemical class.

Raman spectrometry and neural networks for the classification of wood types—1

In this work the coupling of near infrared (NIR) Fourier-transform (FT) Raman spectroscopy and neural computing for spectral feature extraction and classification of woods is reported. A NIR FT-Raman spectrometer operating at 1064 nm was used for all measurements; particular attention was paid to the effects of sample fluorescence and heating. It was demonstrated that fluorescence rejection is accomplished only for the lighter colored woods and that fluorescence was found to be severe for 10 of the 71 woods studied in this work even using excitation at 1064 nm. It was further found that hardwoods were no more or less susceptible to sample heating than softwoods. Feed-forward neural networks were used to extract the principal features of wood spectra at resolutions of 4, 8 and 16 cm⁻¹ and to classify spectra as either temperate hardwoods or temperate softwoods. Neural networks were constructed using zero and two processing elements in the hidden layer. It was shown that neural networks with two hidden processing elements perform near optimally, since each hidden layer processing element may function as either a hardwood or softwood feature detector. This work represents the first time that FT-Raman spectroscopy and neural network technology have been coupled for spectral feature extraction and classification.