Evaluation of the reduction of imidazophenazine dye derivatives under fast-atom-bombardment mass-spectrometric conditions

Satellite [M + 2](+*) and [M + 3](+) peaks accompanying the common peak of the protonated molecule [M + H](+) that are known to indicate the occurrence of a reduction process were observed in the fast atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectra of imidazophenazine dye derivatives in glycerol matrix. The distribution of the abundances in the [M + nH](+) peak group varied noticeably for different derivatives. This indicated different levels of the reduction depending on the different structure variations of the studied molecules. In the search for correlations between the mass spectral pattern and the structural features of the dyes, ab initio HF/6-31++G** quantum chemical calculations were performed. They revealed that the abundances of the [M + 2](+*) and [M + 3](+) ions show growth proportional to the decrease of the energy of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital, i.e. proportional to the increase of the electron affinity of the dye molecule. A method for rapid screening of reductive properties of sets of dye derivatives on the basis of the FAB mass spectral data is discussed.     

Origin of the tailing signal on the low-energy side of the main beam in mass-analyzed ion kinetic energy spectra

The tailing signal on the low-energy side of the precursor ion signal observed during fast atom bombardment (FAB) mass-analyzed ion kinetic energy spectrometric (MIKES) analyses is due largely to ions of higher m/z value than the chosen precursor. The majority of these ions are independent, unfragmented species that emerge from the ion source with less than the full amount of kinetic energy predicted by the source potential. The tailing precursor ion signal observed under helium collision-activated decomposition conditions is too short to account for the protracted MIKES tail (as judged from mass-to-charge ratio-deconvoluted MIKES analyses performed on a BEqQ hybrid instrument), and a tailing precursor signal is not observed under unimolecular decomposition conditions. Measurements of the mass-to-charge ratios of the ionic species comprising the MIKES tail demonstrated that ions higher in mass-to-charge ratio than the chosen precursor are present throughout the tail, with the mass-to-charge ratio increasing as kinetic energy decreases. These ions possess the same momentum as the chosen precursor, and thus were formed prior to the magnetic field. The existence of intact, source-formed [M + H]⁺ ions with reduced kinetic energy was demonstrated through several types of tandem mass spectrometric experiments. These [M + H]⁺ ions with reduced kinetic energy do not appear to have undergone collisional deceleration, because they do not possess increased internal energy (as judged by observation of their fragmentation patterns). The kinetic energy profiles of unfragmented FAB-desorbed ions were determined and found to exhibit a tailing character similar in appearance to that of the MIKES tail. The population of ions emerging from the source under FAB conditions thus incorporates the characteristics necessary to account for the MIKES tail, namely, the presence of ions of a mass-to-charge ratio higher than the chosen precursor (due to matrix and other background ions), which possess reduced kinetic energy such that their momentum is identical to that of the selected precursor. These ions may arise via desolvation and declustering processes in the acceleration region of the ion source, or via FAB or chemical ionization processes in regions removed from the FAB target.     

Chemical reactions in fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry

Examples of various chemical reactions occurring in the matrix or in the selvedge region in fast atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectrometry are discussed. These are categorized as oxidations and reductions; substitutions; clusterings and additions; and sample decomposition or transformation. Some reactions observed showed significant time behaviour and in one case it was possible to determine rate constants. These data suggest that chemical reactions can be accelerated significantly by fast atom bombardment.     

Analysis of tetrabenzyl N-giucosidic,N-mannosidic and N-galactosidic Isomers using fast atom bombardment/mass-analysed ion kinetic energy spectrometry

A series of new synthetic tetrabenzyl N-glucosidic, N-mannosidic and N-galactosidic isomers were investigated by fast atom bombardment (FAB)/mass-analysed ion kinetic energy (MIKE) spectrometry. The [M + H]⁺ ions were obtained with high abundance in the FAB spectra when using 3-nitrobenzyl alcohol as the matrix. The FAB/MIKE spectra provide characteristic daughter ions fragmented from selected molecular parent ions, allowing these isomers to be differentiated. In addition, an interesting rearrangement was found from the MIKE spectra, indicating that the benzyl (Bzl) group on the sugar ring is rearranged on to the N atom of the base (R) group to form [R + Bzl + H]⁺ and [R+ 2Bzl]⁺ ions.     

Improved detection limits for fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry: A study of time-dependent desorption using a model pulsed bombardment ionization method

Certain sample preparations for fast atom bombardment (FAB) yield an intense but brief pulse of sample ions at the onset of ionization. A model system is used to study this phenomenon. This system utilizes a conventional source of a constant flux of fast atoms and a probe that permits mechanical movement of the sample stage. This is used to simulate the effect of pulsing the atom beam. Experiments with model samples and selected ion monitoring detection show that, following bombardment initiation, sample ions are preferentially desorbed with respect to ions from the FAB matrix. Exhibition of preferential sample desorption depends upon the analyte behaving as a surfactant in the selected matrix. When used in conjunction with an array detector that permits data collection in a time-resolved manner, this system allows collection of useful mass spectra with significantly enhanced sensitivity compared to normal bombardment. When applied to the undecapeptide eledoisin (sequence pyro-EPSKDAFIGLM-NH₂, MW 1187.6 Da) this novel methodology allows an improvement in detection limit of at least three to four orders of magnitude over that observed when using conventional continuous FAB and a point detector.     

Comparative study of organic dyes with time-of-flight static secondary ion mass spectrometry and related techniques

A series of cationic, zwitterionic and anionic fluorinated carbocyanine dyes, spin-coated on Si substrates, were measured with time-of-flight static secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-S-SIMS) under Ga(+) primary ion bombardment. Detailed fragmentation patterns were developed for all dyes measured. In the positive mode, the resulting spectra showed very intense signals for the precursor ions of the cationic dyes, whereas the protonated signals of the anionic dyes were hardly detected. Differences of three orders of magnitude were repeatedly observed for the secondary ion signal intensities of cationic and anionic dyes, respectively. All measured dyes yielded mass spectra containing several characteristic fragment ions. Although the secondary ion yields were still higher for the cationic than the anionic dye fragments, the difference was reduced to a factor of < or =10. This result and the fact that M(+), [M + H](+) or [M + 2H](+) are even-electron species make it very likely that the recorded fragments were not formed directly out of the (protonated) parent ions M(+), [M + H](+) or [M + 2H](+). In the negative mode, none of the recorded spectra contained molecular information. Only signals originating from some characteristic elements of the molecules (F, Cl), the anionic counter ion signal and some low-mass organic ions were detected. A comparative study was made between TOF-S-SIMS, using Ga(+) primary ions, and other mass spectrometric techniques, namely fast atom bombardment (FAB), electrospray ionization (ESI) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI). The measurements showed that MALDI, ESI and FAB all give rise to spectra containing molecular ion signals. ESI and FAB produced M(+) and [M + H](+) signals, originating from the cationic and zwitterionic dyes, in the positive mode and M(-) and [M - H](-) signals of the anionic and zwitterionic dyes in the negative mode. With MALDI, molecular ion signals were measured in both modes for all the dyes. Structural fragment ions were detected for FAB, ESI and MALDI in both the positive and negative modes. Compared with the other techniques, TOF-S-SIMS induced a higher degree of fragmentation.     

Partial methanolysis and fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry of peptides containing sulphurated ammo acids

Sequence determination by partial methanolysis and fast atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectrometry of peptides containing cysteine and methionine was investigated. Cysteine-containing peptides require methylation of the sulphydryl group by methyl iodide to give a stable S-methylcysteinyl residue prior to partial methanolysis and mass spectrometry. Methionine-containing peptides undergo partially a methylation on sulphur during methanolysis, with formation of an S-methylsulphonium ion which under FAB conditions is extracted from the matrix and eliminates methyl sulphide in the gas phase. The presence of additional peaks due to chemical modifications or gas-phase fragmentations, however, does not interfere with the sequence information of the spectra.     

Determination of flux from a saddle field fast-atom bombardment gun

The flux or beam density (equivalent current/area) of xenon atoms striking the sample target from a saddle field fast-atom bombardment (FAB) gun has been compared with that from a cesium ion gun mounted on the same instrument. A shielded Faraday cup mounted on the end of a solids probe was used to measure directly the flux of the Cs⁺ beam. Samples of methylene blue in glycerol solution were then exposed to the ion beam at different fluxes and the extents of reduction were measured. The extent of reduction varied linearly with flux up to a value of about 1.16 × 10¹³ particles s^?1 cm^?2 (1.85 μ cm^?2); above this level, the reduction effect appeared to saturate. FAB spectra were obtained from the same dye solution by using varying settings of the FAB gun. By comparing the extents of reduction of the dye from the two guns, the flux from the atom gun could be estimated. Observation of luminescence from a CsI-coated target allowed estimation of the area of the atom beam. The atom beam “equivalent current” could then be calculated by multiplying the flux times the area. It was noted that for given settings, the flux from the atom gun depended on the physical condition of the gun electrodes. With new electrodes, a flux ≥ 1.16 × 10¹³ particles s^?1 cm^?2 was obtained with nominal gun emission currents of 0.60–1.0 mA. Electrodes used extensively, but freshly cleaned, provided a flux of ～ 8 × 10¹² particles s^?1 cm^?2 at nominal emission currents of 0.40–1.0 mA. With dirty electrodes this flux could only be achieved at the highest (1.0 mA) emission current. This decline in performance occurs over a matter of months as a result of contamination and erosion of the electrodes during use. Such behavior can adversely affect spectral reproducibility even when nominal FAB gun voltage and emission current are carefully reproduced.     

Formation of M+ ions and electronic excitation under fast-atom bombardment conditions by using a liquid matrix

Japan The mechanism for the formation of molecular ions M^+· under fast-atom bombardment (FAB) conditions with a liquid matrix is discussed on the basis of the mass spectra of pyrene, coronene, and fullerene C₆₀ obtained by using electron impact, gas-phase fast-atom bombardment, and gas-phase fast-molecule bombardment techniques. The obtained results suggest that formation of the M^+· ions under FAB conditions is not due to direct collisions between analytes M and fast atoms A, but is due to collision interactions between M and recoiling matrix molecules B or matrix ions. It has been confirmed, furthermore, that the FAB conditions with a liquid matrix are sufficient in energy for formation of singly charged ions M^+· and insufficient for the formation of multiply charged ions M ^z+ (z=2, 3) of pyrene, coronene, and C₆₀.     

The determination of GC-MS relative molar responses of benzene and biphenyl derivatives

The dependence of relative response factors on the carbon and chlorine atom number related to naphthalene has been investigated by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The main goal of these investigations is to find some relationship between the GC-MS signal (peak area) and the test molecule chemical structure. By means of the knowledge of correlations of relative molar response, the quantitative analysis passes into easier and fewer reference materials are needed to investigate a sample having lot of component, because the sensitivities can be determined from the correlations studied in this paper. This is very important in daily analytical tasks, particularly for impurity profiling studies. Relative responses of some polychlorinated benzenes, polychlorinated biphenyls and n-alkylbenzenes are compared in the experiments. Linear correlation is found between the molecular structures of n-alkylbenzenes, i.e. the carbon atom number, and relative molar response. Relative molar responses of polychlorinated biphenyls also provided linear correlation taken as a function of chlorine atom number. Under given conditions, the increments of CH₂ unit and chlorine atom number to the relative molar responses are 0.221 and 0.198, respectively. However, relative responses of polychlorinated benzenes showed diversity plotted against chlorine atom number, and their isomer compounds also gave various results according to the first ionization energy. The measurement conditions can influence the relative responses. The low injector temperature, the interface and the ion source temperature affected relative responses of high volatile compounds. However, when the parameters are kept under control, the results can become accurate and reproducible.     

Secondary ion mass spectra of organic cationic dyestuffs

Rules for the behavior under fast atom bombardment (FAB) have been established for 15 cationic dyes — quaternary ammonium salts of heterocyclic amines and heterocycles containing quaternary nitrogen atoms with aliphatic substituents. Intense peaks corresponding to the molecular mass of the cationic part of the dyes [M-Hal]⁺ are observed in the spectra of all the derivatives. Fragmentation of the azodyes is determined by the azo group and the heterocyle. The base peaks in the case of compounds containing a quaternary nitrogen atom with aliphatic substituents correspond to the ammonium ion and a fragment of amine type. The results obtained can be used to identify dyes of unknown structure from their secondary ion mass spectra (SIMS).DeceasedTranslated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 10, 1411–1417, October, 1992     

Analysis of carbohydrates by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry: 2—Influence of the matrix and the nature of the alkaline cations in the attachment process of an alkaline cation to a disaccharide molecule

The fast atom bombardment (FAB) ionization process of a non-reducing disaccharide by an attachment reaction with an alkaline cation has been investigated according to the nature of both the matrix (glycerol, diethanolamine, triethanolamine) and the alkaline cation (lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, caesium). We have established that one way of forming the cationized disaccharide molecular ions, [disaccharide-cat]⁺, is by a desolvation reaction from the cationized solvated disaccharide molecular ions, [disaccharide-cat-matrix]⁺. This process, which has been established by mass-analysed ion kinetic energy (MIKE) spectral analysis of the solvated species, is shown to be drastically affected by the nature of the involved matrix but only slightly by the alkaline cation. The variations in the relative abundances of the disaccharide cationized molecular ions compared to their solvated clusters in the FAB mass spectra, due to the matrix employed, have been explained according to the unimolecular dissociation of the solvated clusters examined by MIKE analysis. However, the variations in the abundance of the disaccharide cationized molecular ions in relation to the alkaline cation used—a higher sensitivity has been observed for lithium, sodium and potassium alkaline cations—have been explained in terms of the cations available at the target surface for the attachment process to the sugar molecule, and by a ligand exchange reaction between the matrix and the disaccharide.     

Routine liquid charomatography/fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry of peptides and enzymatically digested proteins

The development of a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)/fast atom bombardment (FAB) interface and the subsequent commercial availability of such systems has facilitated the routine application of the technique to problems in pharmaceutical research and development. Although many products are amenable to FAB analysis and hence LC/FAB, the greatest benefit of the interface has been in the field of peptide and protein analysis. It has been found that, even with post-column matrix addition, chromatographic resolution is maintained and, by plotting mass chromatograms, the resolution may be greater than that achieved by the less specific UV detector. As only 1% matrix is required in the final eluent, the system is stable for extended periods and has been used for 3 h LC/FAB experiments or used continuously for multiple analyses over 8 h periods. In addition to the acquisition of relative molecular mass information, the constant background can be completely subtracted to yield structurally significant fragment ions which may allow sequencing of components from the single LC/FAB experiment. Applications of LC/FAB to date include the characterization of Iys(78)-plasminogen by the on-line analysis of complex mixtures of peptides resulting from the various enzymatic digests.     

Structural and substituent effects on [M]+. vs. [MH]+ formation in fast atom bombardment mass spectra of simple organic compounds

The peak intensity ratios of [M]^+. vs. [MH]⁺ were measured in the fast atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectra of readily available test compounds with 3-nitrobenzyl alcohol as the matrix. For simple aromatic amines, the ratio increases as the ionization energy of the substrate decreases. 4-Substituted benzophenones showed preferential formation of [MH]⁺ ions, regardless of the nature of the substituents. This is probably due to the fact that the benzophenoes have carbonyl groups which can form hydrogen bonds with the matrix molecule. The peak intensity ratio is roughly proportional to the Hammett σ^+. Among 4-substituted biphenyls, both bromo and chloro substituents afforded abnormally high peak intensity ratios. The effects of the substituents in these compounds are discussed semi-quantitatively in terms of the Hammett correlation and the hard and soft acids and bases principle. The mechanism of ion formation in FAB and chemical ionization (CI) ion sources appeared to be different because some of the compounds studied showed an intense [M]^+. peak with a relatively weak [MH]⁺ peak in FAB spectra but exhibited a strong [MH]⁺ peak in ordinary CI spectra.     

Application of dicyandiamide as a matrix additive in fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry

Dicyandiamide (DCDA) is used as a chemical additive in the fast atom bombardment (FAB) matrix 3-mercaptopropane-l,2-diol (thioglycerol) and propane-l,2,3-triol (glycerol). It is demonstrated that DCDA can be used to generate adduct ions [M + H + DCDA]⁺ for a variety of common organic functional groups to confirm the molecular ion [M + H]⁺. It is particularly useful for aromatic and alkyl amines and these compounds were therefore investigated in greater detail. Primary and secondary amines on heating react with DCDA to produce biguanides. DCDA can be used as a derivatizing reagent, but the reaction times are typically longer than 12 h and, therefore, it has limited utility. Biguanides can be detected at the nanogram level in full-range FAB mass spectral analysis.     

Simultaneous determination of dyes of different classes in aquaculture products and spices using HPLC–high-resolution quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry

A simple method of sample preparation, rapid screening, and determination of dyes—veterinary drugs and illegally used dyes (coloring product counterfeiters)—in spices by HPLC–high-resolution quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry is proposed. Sample preparation involves the extraction of analytes from a solid matrix with acetonitrile containing 0.1% of formic acid, twofold dilution of the extract with deionized water, filtration, and chromatographic separation. The limits of detection were 0.01–0.4 ng/g. The procedure of screening and determination of dyes in foods includes the identification of dyes by an accurate monoisotopic mass of the ion (m/z), retention time (t _R), and coincidence of the isotopic distribution (mSigma), and, if dyes are detected, their determination by the standard addition method. The relative standard deviation of the results does not exceed 15%. The duration of the analysis is 1–2 h.     

Fast atom bombardment mass spectrometric study of some unsaturated aryl C-glycosides

Fast atom bombardment (FAB), FAB mass-analysed ion kinetic energy (FAB MIKE) and collision-activated dissociation (FAB CAD-MIKE) mass spectra were obtained for two series of unsaturated anomeric aryl C-glycosides. These tandem mass spectrometric techniques allowed the differentiation of the anomers by analysing either the [M + H]⁺ ion or the [M + met]⁺ ion (met=Li, Na).     

Formation of M+. ions under matrix fast atom bombardment conditions: Does charge exchange reaction occur?

The formation of molecular ions, M^+., under fast atom bombardment (FAB) conditions using a liquid matrix was examined by using a new type of synthesized compounds in which preferential M^+. peaks appear in their FAB spectra. The FAB spectra were compared with the corresponding mass spectra obtained by the electron impact (EI) ionization, chemical ionization (CI) and charge-exchange ionization (CEI) methods. All of the spectra showed preferential peaks of M^+. ion and a characteristic intense fragment ion peak originating from a β-fission. The FAB spectra were similar in the fragment ions appearing in the EI spectra and were very similar in the fragmentation pattern to the CEI spectra using Ar^+. and Xe^+. as the reagent ions. Further, the FAB spectra did not show any doubly charged ion peaks, while the 70 eV EI spectra showed the peaks of doubly charged molecular and/or fragment ions. The isobutane CI spectra of the synthesized compounds suggested that the formation of M^+. ions occurred through the CE reaction with isobutane ion, C₄H₁₀^+., and the CI spectra showed a marked intense fragment ion peak originating from the β-fission which seemed to occur characteristically in CEI processes. The results obtained suggested that the formation of M^+. ions under matrix FAB conditions occurred mainly by CE reactions between the analytes M and matrix molecular ions B^+. and/or fragment ions b^+..     

Theoretical investigation on the geometries and electronic properties of cesium–silicon CsSi<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis> = 2–12) clusters

The structures, relative stabilities, and electronic properties of pure Si _n and Cs-doped silicon clusters (n = 2–12) are systematically investigated using the density functional theory at the B3LYP level. The optimized structures indicated that the lowest-energy structures of CsSi _n are similar to those of pure Si _n clusters and prefer the 3-dimensional configuration for n = 3–12. The relative stabilities of CsSi _n clusters are analyzed based on the averaged binding energy, fragmentation energy, second-order energy difference, and HOMO–LUMO energy gap. It is found that CsSi₆ and CsSi₉ are the magic clusters, and the doping of Cs atom reduces the chemical stabilities of Si _n frame. The Mulliken population analysis pointed out that the charges in the corresponding CsSi _n clusters always transfer from Cs atom to Si _n host in the range of 0.80–0.91 electron. In addition, the partial density of states, infrared, and Raman spectra is discussed.     

FAB mass spectrometry of sulphonated dyes. Application to water analysis

Summary Several commercial dyes (nitro, azo, disazo, trisazo, oxazine and anthraquinone) ranging from mono to trisulphonated compounds were analyzed by fast atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectrometry. Glycerol and dithiothreitol + dithioerythritol (51) gave the best results for the analysis of these dyes and their additives, respectively. (M + Na)⁺ ions, cleavage of azo groups, loss of sulphonate from (M + H)⁺ or (M + Na)⁺ ions were the fragments most commonly observed. Detection limits of some dyes spiked to real water extracts in order to evaluate its potential application to the identification of organic pollutants in water are reported.

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FAB-Massenspektrometrie von sulfonierten Farbstoffen. Anwendung in der Wasseranalyse