IMINOSULFURANES FROM BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE SULFONAMIDES AND RELATED COMPOUNDS

Abstract

Iminosulfuranes and iminosulfonium salts have been prepared from biologically active sulfonamides and other biologically active and related amino compounds. The new compounds have been characterized by nmr, uv, ir, mass spectra and elemental analysis. Deuterated analogs have also been prepared in selected cases for mass spectral comparison with their nondeuterated counterparts.     

Quantitation of 17alpha-ethinylestradiol in aquatic samples using liquid-liquid phase extraction, dansyl derivatization, and liquid chromatography/positive electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

A rapid and sensitive method for the analysis of 17alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2) in environmental aqueous samples has been developed. Aquatic samples were extracted using liquid-liquid extraction, and organic phase extracts were concentrated and derivatized with dansyl chloride. Analysis was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography with positive electrospray ionization and tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI-MS/MS). Deuterated 17alpha-ethinylestradiol was used as internal standard and was added to samples before extraction. A limit of quantitation of 1 ng/L was obtained using a 25 mL aqueous sample. The average recovery of EE2 spiked into a 25 mL tapwater sample was 100%. This highly sensitive quantitation method is useful for measuring low levels of EE2 in aqueous environmental samples.     

Direct measurement of urinary testosterone and epitestosterone conjugates using high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

Measurement of the ratio of testosterone (T) and epitestosterone (E) in urine has been used as an indication of 'natural' steroid supplementation for a decade. The direct measurement of the glucuronide and sulfate conjugates of testosterone and epitestosterone by high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS/MS) should resolve a number of issues regarding unusual metabolism due to either genetic disposition or attempts to avoid detection of abuse. Determination of nanomoles per liter (0.1 ppb) concentrations of analytes in a complex biological matrix by HPLC/MS/MS is complicated by sample matrix-specific ion suppression during ESI. Deuterated internal standards of all compounds were used to overcome the effects of suppression. Comparison of the HPLC/MS/MS method with a two-part gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric method showed statistical equivalence in urine samples. Analysis of urine samples with elevated T-glucuronide to E-glucuronide ratios did not show that a significant number could be explained by an elevated excretion of epitestosterone sulfate. The HPLC/MS/MS method was also used further to characterize genetic and metabolic factors that give rise to unusual T/E ratios.     

Determination of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, 2,3-dinor-6-keto-PGF1 alpha, thromboxane B2, 2,3-dinor-thromboxane B2, PGE2, PGD2 and PGF2 alpha in human urine by gas chromatography-negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry

A method for quantification of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, 2,3-dinor-6-keto-PGF1 alpha TXB2, 2,3-dinor TXB2, PGE2, PGD2 and PGF2 alpha in human urine samples, using gas chromatography-negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry, is described. Deuterated analogues were used as internal standards. Methoximation was carried out in urine samples which were subsequently applied to phenylboronic acid cartridges, reversed-phase cartridges and thin-layer chromatography. The eluents were further derivatized to pentafluorobenzyl ester trimethylsilyl ethers for final quantification by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The overall recovery was 77% for tritiated 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and 55% for tritiated TXB2. Urinary levels of prostanoids were determined in a group of six volunteers before and after intake of the thromboxane synthase inhibitor Ridogrel, and related to creatinine clearance.     

Simultaneous assay of sildenafil and desmethylsildenafil in neonatal plasma by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Sildenafil is used to treat pulmonary hypertension in neonatal and pediatric patients. Pharmacokinetic studies in these patients are complicated by the limited sample volume. We present the validation results of an assay method to quantitate sildenafil and desmethylsildenafil simultaneously in 50 µL of plasma. Deuterated sildenafil was used as an internal standard. After liquid–liquid extraction, analytes were separated on an ultra‐performance liquid chromatography (UPLC)‐column and quantified via tandem mass spectrometry. The calibration range was linear, with acceptable accuracy and a precision of <15% for both compounds. The lower limits of quantification were 1 ng/mL. Matrix effects were present, but inter‐plasma batch variability was under 12%. The method was successfully applied to samples from a pharmacokinetic study into sildenafil pharmacokinetics in neonates, making maximum use of the limited number and amount of plasma samples available. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analytical procedure for the determination of chlorobenzenes in sediments

This study presents the procedure for the determination of chlorobenzenes in sediment. It consists of solvent extraction (shaking overnight), extract clean-up with the use of a homemade glass column packed with activated silica gel and freshly activated copper, and slow solvent evaporation to a volume of 0.3 mL. Two-microliter extract portions are analyzed by means of gas chromatography with an Rtx-624 capillary column (60 m x 0.32 mm, d(f) = 1.8 microm) coupled with mass spectrometry (in selected ion-monitoring mode). Deuterated 1,2-dibromobenzene is used as the recovery standard. The recovery of this method for all chlorobenzenes is high (ranging from 78% to 107%) with the exception of monochlorobenzene, which is 58%. The method is also characterized by good precision, which is commonly accepted in the analysis of trace organic pollution.     

Comparison of methods for extraction of ethyl carbamate from alcoholic beverages in gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis

A procedure to analyze ethyl carbamate (EC) by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry was optimized and validated. Deuterated EC (d5-EC) was added to the samples as an internal standard followed by extraction with polystyrene crosslinked polystyrene cartridges using minimal volumes of ethyl acetate. The EC response was measured in selective ion monitoring (SIM) mode and found to be linear in the range between the limit of quantitation (10 micro/L) and 1000 microg/L. EC recoveries varied from 92 to 112%, with the average value of 100 +/- 8%. The procedure compared well (r2 = 0.9970) with the existing AOAC Official Method with the added benefits of minimal solvent usage and reduced matrix interferences.     

Determination of biogenic amines in food samples using derivatization followed by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry

A liquid chromatography (LC)/mass spectrometry method was developed for the determination of selected biogenic amines in various fish and other food samples. It is based on a precolumn derivatization of the amines with succinimidylferrocenyl propionate under formation of the respective amides and their reversed-phase liquid-chromatographic separation with subsequent electrospray ionization mass-spectrometric detection. Deuterated putescine, cadaverine, and histamine are added prior to the derivatization as internal standards that are coeluted, thus allowing excellent reproducibility of the analysis to be achieved. Depending on the analyte, the limits of detection were between 1.2 and 19.0 mg/kg, covering between 2 and 3 decades of linearity. The limit of detection and the linear range for histamine are suitable for the surveillance of the only defined European threshold for biogenic amines in fish samples. Compared with the established ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA)/LC/fluorescence method, the newly developed method allows an unambiguous identification of the biogenic amines by their mass spectra in addition to only retention times, a fivefold acceleration of the separation, and independency from the sample matrix owing to the isotope-labeled internal standards. Various fish, calamari, and salami samples were successfully analyzed with the new method and validated with an independent OPA/LC/fluorescence method.     

Standard reference materials (SRM's) for measuring genetic damage

Summary Standard reference materials were designed for the measurement of radiolytic products resulting from OH radical reaction with DNA in patients treated by radiation therapy. Deuterated thymine glycol and thymidine glycol are proposed as such SRM's; the synthesis of the former is described in detail. They might be of importance for optimising the therapy.     

Structural analysis of diacyl peroxides by electrospray tandem mass spectrometry with ammonium acetate: bond homolysis of peroxide-ammonium and peroxide-proton adducts

Organic peroxides have significant implications in organic chemistry and biological processes. The weak O-O bond makes them extremely difficult to characterize by conventional analytical methods. Diacyl peroxides are one of the major radical sources in polymerization and organic synthesis. It is well known that diacyl peroxides are thermal labile and thus are not amenable to study by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) has been applied to the structural analysis of diacyl peroxides by formation of ammonium adducts. Collision induced dissociation (CID) studies of the ammonium adducts of the peroxide [M + NH(4)](+) give collision energy dependent fragments. For most diacyl peroxides, homolysis of the peroxy bond predominates the fragmentation pathways of the peroxide-ammonium adducts. Deuterated substrates have been employed to provide evidence for typical fragmentation pathways. The CID studies were also used to locate the O-18 in some O-18 specifically labeled diacyl peroxides. For branched alkyl or alkoxy substrates, McLafferty rearrangement and decarboxylation become a major pathway. By comparison with some anhydride analogues, ESI-MS/MS can also be used to study this class of compounds.     

Ultra-trace level determinations of benzidine and dichlorobenzidine residues in surface water by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

A liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometric method (LC-ESI-MS/MS) has been developed for the determination of benzidine (BZ) and 3, 3′-dichlorobenzidine (DCBZ) from surface water. Parent ion of DCBZ gave strong signal with ESI by dissolving with 15?mM ammonium formate, which is also used as mobile phase. Deuterated BZ (d8-BZ) was chosen as the internal standard (IS). BZ and DCBZ were extracted by solid-phase extraction on Oasis hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) from water at pH 8.0. The coefficients of variation of BZ and DCBZ were less than 13.1% and the detection limits were 0.004?ng?L^?1 for BZ and 0.7?ng?L^?1 for DCBZ using 0.5?L surface water. The detection limit shows fair lower value than the water quality criteria for BZ and DCBZ established by the US EPA. When the proposed method was used to analyze the target compounds in sixteen surface water samples, BZ was detected in a concentration range of 0.15–2.33?ng?L^?1 in four of sixteen surface water samples     

Quantitative determination of piritramide in human plasma and urine by off- and on-line solid-phase extraction liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry

A method for the liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometric (LC/MS/MS) quantification of piritramide, a synthetic opioid, in plasma after conventional off-line solid-phase extraction (SPE) and in urine by on-line SPE-LC/MS/MS in positive electrospray mode was developed and validated. Applicability of the on-line approach for plasma samples was also tested. Deuterated piritramide served as internal standard. For the off-line SPE plasma method mixed cation-exchange SPE cartridges and a 150 x 2 mm C18 column with isocratic elution were used. For the on-line SPE method, a Waters Oasis HLB extraction column and the same C18 analytical column in a column-switching set-up with gradient elution were utilized. All assays were linear within a range of 0.5-100 ng/mL with a limit of detection of 0.05 ng/mL. The intra- and interday coefficients of variance ranged from 1.3 to 6.1% for plasma and 0.5 to 6.4% for urine, respectively. The extraction recovery for the off-line plasma assay was between 90.7 and 100.0%. Influence of matrix effects, and freeze/thaw and long-term stability were validated for both approaches; influence of urine pH additionally for quantification in urine.     

Purification and quantitative analysis of urinary prostanoids in human and in rat by packed and capillary gas chromatography-negative-ion chemical-ionization mass spectrometry

We describe a method for the quantitative analysis of prostaglandin (PG) E2 and the major urinary metabolites PGI2 and thromboxane (Tx) A2 in human and in rat by combined gas chromatography and negative-ion chemical-ionization mass spectrometry. The procedure is based on the sequential use of small columns with distinct properties combined with a thin-layer chromatography step, for the extraction and the purification of urinary prostaglandins. The compounds are then analysed as their pentafluorobenzyl ester-O-methyloxime-trimethylsilyl ether derivatives, using either packed or capillary columns. Deuterated analogues are used as internal standards. The method was established by using tritiated prostaglandins covering the extremes of polarity in order to optimize the recovery of prostanoids as well as the quality of the chromatograms and spectra. The overall recovery was 24%. Standard curves were obtained by the same procedure and found to be reproducible, with a maximal day-to-day variation of +/- 5%. The relatively simple approach required for the sequential extraction and purification of prostaglandins on small columns of distinct properties, combined with the highly specific and highly sensitive method of detection, places this procedure among the most reliable method for measuring urinary prostanoids in both humans and animals. In addition, the procedure is faster than classical approaches and necessitates smaller amounts of samples and solvents.     

七甲茚基稀土络合物和碱金属盐的化学反应

本文用核磁共振等方法研究了稀土络合物和碱金属盐中的七甲茚基的质子化或氘化反应、亲核取代反应及络合物中稀土离子的还原反应。七甲茚基络合物比相应的茂基或茚基化合物更易与盐进行上述反应。三氘代七甲茚基在氘化反应中显示了同位素效应。     

Deuteration-induced scission of C58 oligomers

The reaction of solid C(58) films with atomic deuterium to yield deuterofullerenes, C(58)D(x), has been investigated by thermal desorption spectroscopy coupled with mass spectrometric detection, ultraviolet photoionization spectroscopy (21.2 eV), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The average composition of the deuterofullerenes created depends on deuterium dose, beam flux, and surface temperature. Low deuterium exposures at room temperature yield predominantly C(58)D(6-8) cages. Saturation exposures at room temperature yield mass spectra peaked at C(58)D(26). After saturation exposures at elevated surface temperatures (approximately 500 K), the (subsequently) desorbed material reveals a comparatively narrow mass spectral distribution centered at C(58)D(30). Deuteration is associated with cleavage of covalent cage-cage bonds in the starting C(58) oligomer material, as evidenced by a considerable lowering of the sublimation energies of C(58)D(x) compared to desorption of C(58) desorbed from pure oligomer films. Correspondingly, AFM images reveal a D-induced, thermally activated transition from dendritic C(58) oligomer islands into smooth-rimmed islands composed of deuterated cages. Deuterated films exhibit a significantly lower work function than bare C(58) films. Progressing deuteration also gradually raises the surface ionization potential.     

Gram-Scale Synthesis of Chain-Deuterated Sphingosine and Its Derivatization to Produce Ceramide,Sphinganine and Sphingosine-1-phosphate

Sphingosine plays crucial roles in various cellular functions. Deuterated molecules are widely used as the important tools to explore the structure, property, and function of biochemical materials. We here report a gram-scale synthesis of sphingosines with different deuterated chains. The synthesis started from different protiated fatty acids, which underwent hydrothermal platinum-catalyzed hydrogen/deuterium (H/D) exchange to produce the deuterated chains with different length. The Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons (HWE) coupling of a chiral amino acid derivative with the deuterated chains generated the unsaturated ketone precursors. The following stereoselective reduction via cyclic Felkin–Anh transition led to the desired anti-amino alcohol geometry. This efficient protocol enabled the gram-scale synthesis of the chain-deuterated sphingosines. The subsequent synthesis of the chain-deuterated derivatives, i. e. ceramide, sphinganine and sphingosine-1-phosphate, is also described. Their deuterium content was simultaneously characterized by ¹H NMR and high-resolution mass spectrum (HRMS).     

Isolation and characterization of modified species of a mutated (Cys125 -Ala) recombinant human interleukin-2

An approach for simultaneous determination of the main type A-trichothecenes by liquid chromatography and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry is described. Parameters for coupling of LC-MS such as cone voltage, nebulizing temperature and the LC flow-rate, were optimized to provide detection of mycotoxins with maximum sensitivity. Furthermore, the effects of cone voltage and temperature on the fragmentation pattern of the tested toxins were studied. Main type A-trichothecenes such as T-2 Toxin, HT-2 Toxin, acetyl T-2 Toxin, diacetoxyscirpenol, monoacetoxyscirpenol (15-acetoxyscirpenol) and neosolaniol were separated on a reversed-phase narrow bore C18 column, using a linear gradient and a flow-rate of 0.3 ml/min. Mass spectra were obtained in positive ion mode for confirmation and quantitation. The method involves extraction and purification of toxins by using multifunctional Mycosep columns. Deuterated T-2 Toxin was used as an internal standard. A linear working range between 80 and 500 microg/kg in matrix with an acceptable correlation coefficient was observed. The developed method was validated by using a blank oats sample. The detection limit in the matrix was found to be between 50 and 85 microg/kg in selected ion mode for all tested A-trichothecenes. Recovery data were found to be between 77 and 101%. Within run and day-to-day precision were determined as having comparable levels to those found using GC methods. Furthermore, the matrix effect was investigated by comparing the internal standard versus the external standard method in quantification studies. In addition, the developed method was applied for the analysis of naturally contaminated oats, maize, barley and wheat samples.     

Gas chromatography/negative-ion chemical ionisation mass spectrometry for the quantitative analysis of morphine in human plasma using pentafluorobenzyl carbonate derivatives

A sensitive and specific method for the quantitative determination of morphine in human plasma is presented. Morphine was extracted from plasma by solid phase extraction on C18 and converted to its pentafluorobenzyl carbonate trimethylsilyl derivative. The derivatives were analysed without further purification. Using gas chromatography/negative ion chemical ionisation mass spectrometry, a useful diagnostic fragment ion at m/z 356 is obtained at high relative abundance. Deuterated morphine was used as internal standard. Calibration graphs were linear within the range 1.25 to 320 nmol/L. Intra-day precision was 3.82% (15 nmol/L), 2.85% (75 nmol/L) and 4.13% (225 nmol/L), inter-day variability was found to be 1.77% (15 nmol/L), 4.95% (75 nmol/L) and 9.88% (225 nmol/L). Inter-day accuracy showed deviations of 2.18% (15 nmol/L), -0.72% (75 nmol/L) and -0.13% (225 nmol/L). The method is rugged and robust and has been applied to the batch analysis of morphine during pharmacokinetic profiling of the drug.     

Determination of ketamine and amphetamines in hair by LC/MS/MS

A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for the determination of ketamine (with its metabolite norketamine) and some amphetamines (amphetamine, methamphetamine, methylenedioxyamphetamine, and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine). This method was developed to determine these compounds in hair and is able to simultaneously quantify all of them in human hair. Hair samples (20 mg) were washed and pulverized, and an extraction with formic acid (0.01%) and ultrasonication for 4 h was used. Deuterated analogs of the analytes were used as internal standards for quantification. Linearity from 0.5 to 25 ng/mg was obtained for both ketamine (and norketamine) and amphetamines with correlation coefficients exceeding 0.99. The limit of detection and the limit of quantification obtained were 0.1 and 0.5 ng/mg, respectively, for ketamine and amphetamines. A total of 25 hair samples from known drug abusers (relating to designer drug consumption or consumption of amphetamines) were examined by this validated method. The results show that the proposed method is suitable for testing these drugs in a single sample of hair. In addition, it is simpler and faster than analysis by conventional methods such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, which usually require a more laborious extraction procedure and, in most of cases, an additional derivatization process.     

Tandem mass spectrum of a farnesyl transferase inhibitor--gas-phase rearrangements involving imidazole

Compound 1 (1-(3-chlorophenyl)-4-[1-(4-cyanobenzyl)imidazolylmethyl]-2-piperazinone hydrochloride) is a farnesyl transferase inhibitor intended for treatment of cancer. A detailed analysis of the electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry data of protonated 1 shows that in the gas phase, upon collision-induced dissociation, this ion undergoes complicated rearrangement and fragmentation. These processes include a novel two-step rearrangement. The first step involves a gas-phase intramolecular S(N)2 reaction that forms an intermediate. The second step consists of three competitive rearrangement/fragmentation pathways of the intermediate, giving rise to protonated 2, protonated methylene-imidazole, and a distonic methylimidazole radical cation. Deuterated 1 was studied under the same experimental conditions, and the results strongly support the proposed two-step rearrangement process. It is noted that the unique structure of 1, especially the imidazole ring of 1, plays a critical role in the rearrangement of protonated 1.