Specific features of resonance electron capture mass spectra of ecdysteroid molecules

Specificity of the dissociative attachment of low-energy electrons to ecdysteroid molecules (viz., 20-hydroxyecdysone 2,3:20,22-diacetonide, 20-hydroxyecdysone 20,22-acetonide, and poststerone 2-acetate) was found, which is manifested as the formation of long-lived pseudo-molecular negative ions that appeared due to the elimination of the H₂ and H₂O molecules. These rearrangements are resulted from the formation of the system of conjugated double bonds in the ecdysteroid skeleton, stabilizing the lowest vacant molecular orbital.     

On the structure of negative ions formed by dissociative electron attachment by monochlorophenol molecules

The energetics of negative ion formation by resonant dissociative electron attachment by o-, m-, and p-chlorophenol molecules was studied. The structures of some fragment ions and their neutral partners were established. Hidden rearrangement processes leading to the formation of oxy anions by the detachment of chlorine atoms from molecular ions were found. The O—H bond dissociation energies for o-, m-, and p-chlorophenol molecules were 3.74±0.11, 3.72±0.17, and 3.94±0.11 eV, respectively.     

Processes of dissociative electron capture by 20-hydroxyecdysone molecules

The peculiarities of dissociative electron capture by 20-hydroxyecdysone molecules with the formation of fragment negative ions were studied. In the region of high electron energies (5–10 eV), processes of skeleton bond rupture are accompanied by the elimination of H₂O and H₂ molecules. In the region of thermal energies of electrons (≈0 eV), the mass spectrum is formed mainly by the [M−nH₂O]^.− (n=1–3) and [M−H₂−nH₂O]^.− (n=0−3) ions that are generated exclusively by the rearrangement. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 4, pp. 709–712, April, 2000.     

Resonance capture of electrons by substituted pyrazoline molecules

The negative ion mass spectra and photoelectron spectra of substituted pyrazolines were studied. A correlation between the ionization energy of the highest occupied molecular orbital and the yield of [MeNHNH₂ ⁻] ions was found. Isomerization of molecular negative ions was studied by resonance electron capture mass spectrometry. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 4, pp. 701–704, April, 2000.     

Resonance electron capture mass spectra of some diterpenoid alkaloids

Formation of negative ions from molecules of some diterpenoid alkaloids under conditions of resonance electron capture was studied. Ions formed by capturing low-energy electrons in the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital similar to the *-C=O or *-Ph—CO₂ orbitals contribute predominantly to the mass spectra.     

Theoretical studies of damage to 3'-uridine monophosphate induced by electron attachment

Low-energy electrons (LEE) are well known to induce nucleic acid damage. However, the damage mechanisms related to charge state and structural features remain to be explored in detail. In the present work, we have investigated the N1-glycosidic and C3'-O(P) bond ruptures of 3'-UMP (UMP=uridine monophosphate) and the protonated form 3'-UMPH with -1 and zero charge, respectively, based on hybrid density functional theory (DFT) B3 LYP together with the 6-31+G(d,p) basis set. The glycosidic bond breakage reactions of the 3'UMP and 3'UMPH electron adducts are exothermic in both cases, with barrier heights of 19-20 kcal mol(-1) upon inclusion of bulk solvation. The effects of the charge state on the phosphate group are marginal, but the C2'-OH group destabilizes the transition structure of glycosidic bond rupture of 3'-UMPH in the gas phase by approximately 5.0 kcal mol(-1). This is in contrast with the C3'-O(P) bond ruptures induced by LEE in which the charge state on the phosphate influences the barrier heights and reaction energies considerably. The barrier towards C3'-O(P) bond dissociation in the 3'UMP electron adduct is higher in the gas phase than the one corresponding to glycosidic bond rupture and is dramatically influenced by the C2'-OH group and bulk salvation, which decreases the barrier to 14.7 kcal mol(-1). For the C3'-O(P) bond rupture of the 3'UMPH electron adduct, the reaction is exothermic and the barrier is even lower, 8.2 kcal mol(-1), which is in agreement with recent results for 3'-dTMPH and 5'-dTMPH (dTMPH=deoxythymidine monophosphate). Both the Mulliken atomic charges and unpaired-spin distribution play significant roles in the reactions.     

Li+粘贴CHnCl3-nO2和CFnCl3-nO2( n = 1~3 )自由基：Li+–CHnCl3-nO2和 Li+–CFnCl3-nO2的结构与性质的研究

The structures and stabilities of these still experimentally unknown CH_nCl_(3-n)O_(2-)Li~ and CF_nCl_(3-n)O_(2-)Li~ ionshave been theoretically investigated by ab initio molecular orbital theory and density functional theory(DFT)inconjunction with the 6-311G(d,p),6-311 G(d,p),6-311 G(2d,p)and 6-311 G(2df,2p)basis sets.The optimizedgeometries,chemical bonding and NBO analysis indicate that these complexes of CH_nCl_(3-n)O_(2-)Li~ and CF_nCl_(3-n)O_(2-)Li~ exist as ion-dipole molecules.The calculated affinity energies of these species exceed 41.9 kJ/mol,which arelarge enough to suggest the possibility that these title complexes could be detected as stable species in gas phase byLi~ ion attachment mass spectrometry.     

Mechanism of the formation of a dehydrated ion by an unusual loss of oxygen at the 4'-carbonyl group of abscisic acid methyl ester in electron ionization mass spectrometry

Methyl ester of abscisic acid (ABA), a plant hormone, gives a dehydrated ion at m/z 260 in electron ionization mass spectrometry (EI-MS). This dehydrated ion had been considered to be derived only from the elimination of the tertiary hydroxyl group at C-1'. We found that 34% of the dehydrated ion was formed by elimination of the oxygen atom at the 4'-carbonyl group, and the remaining 66% by elimination of the 1'-hydroxyl group. This unusual elimination of the carbonyl oxygen was shown with [4'-(18)O]ABA methyl ester. Involvement of the 4'-carbonyl oxygen in dehydration was observed in methyl ester of phaseic acid (PA), a natural metabolite of ABA, but not in 1'-deoxy-ABA methyl ester or isophorone. This suggested that the 1'-hydroxyl group was necessary for the elimination of the 4'-carbonyl oxygen. ABA methyl esters labeled with stable isotopes showed that hydrogen atoms at the 1'-hydroxyl group and at C-4 or -5 or -3' or - 5' or -7' were eliminated with the 4'-carbonyl oxygen. These results allow us to propose a formation mechanism of the dehydrated ion derived from the elimination of 4'-carbonyl oxygen and hydrogen atoms at C-4 and 1'-oxygen in ABA methyl ester as follows: first, ionization at the 1'-hydroxyl group occurs to give an ion radical, and the proton at the 1'-oxygen migrates to the 4'-carbonyl oxygen after the bond fission between C-1'-C-6'; second, migration of the proton at C-4 to the 1'-oxygen is followed by migration of the protons at C-5 and C-7' to C-4 and C-5, respectively; finally, the proton at the 1'-oxygen migrates to the 4'-hydroxyl group, and H(2)O at C-4' is eliminated to give the dehydrated ion. Our findings point out that a dehydrated ion is not always derived from the elimination of a hydroxyl group.     

Accuracy of film thickness determination in electron probe microanalysis

The thickness of copper films (100–450 nm) on silicon substrates was determined by electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) applying (z) procedures of Pouchou and Pichoir. Film thickness was calculated from experimental k-ratios analyzed with electron energies between 6 and 30 keV using commercial software (LAYERF distributed by CAMECA). The influence of the incident electron energy and X-ray line chosen for analysis on the results was investigated. Accuracy of film thickness determination was evaluated by comparison with Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). The difference between layer thicknesses determined with EPMA and RBS is in general less than 2%, if EPMA measurements are performed with various electron energies. Layer thicknesses determined with Cu-L are mostly closer to values obtained by RBS than those derived from Cu-K radiation. Preliminary SIMS measurements yielded inconsistent results and, thus, cannot be used in this case to determine the layer thickness of Cu films on Si accurately.     

Mass spectrometric characteristics of decabromodiphenyl ether and the application of isotopic dilution in the electron capture negative ionization mode for the analysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers

The mass spectrometric properties of (12)C-and (13)C-labeled decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) in the low-resolution mass spectrometry electron capture negative ionization mode (ECNI-MS) is described in detail and are compared with those of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) with a lower degree of bromination. The mass spectrometric properties of BDE-209 make it possible to apply (13)C-labeled BDE-209 as an internal surrogate standard for the determination of BDE-209 by isotopic dilution. A combination of the [Br](-) and [C(6)Br(5)O](-) fragment ions is proposed for the detection with ECNI-MS in the selected ion monitoring mode to increase selectivity, sensitivity and accuracy in the determination of decabromodiphenyl ether together with other polybrominated diphenyl ethers. The importance of optimizing the instrument parameters to obtain optimal response from the mass spectrometer in the analysis of PBDEs is discussed in detail.     

Triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry: A real alternative to high resolution magnetic sector instrument for the analysis of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins,furans and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls

This paper reports on the optimisation, characterisation, validation and applicability of gas chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry in its tandem operation mode (GC-QqQ(MS/MS) for the quantification of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs, dioxins) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) in environmental and food matrices. MS/MS parameters were selected to achieve the high sensitivity and selectivity required for the analysis of this type of compounds and samples. Good repeatability for areas (RSD = 1–10%, for PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs) and for ion transition ratios (RSD = 0.3–10%, for PCDD/Fs, and 0.2–15%, for DL-PCBs) and low instrumental limits of detection, 0.07–0.75 pg μL⁻¹ (for dioxins) and 0.05–0.63 pg μL⁻¹ (for DL-PCBs), were obtained. A comparative study of the congener specific determination using both GC-QqQ(MS/MS) and gas chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS) was also performed by analysing several fortified samples and certified reference materials (CRMs) with low (feed and foodstuffs), median (sewage sludge) and high (fly ash) toxic equivalency (TEQ) concentration levels, i.e. 0.60, 1.83, 72.9 and 3609 pg WHO-TEQ(PCDD/Fs) g⁻¹. The agreement between the results obtained for the total TEQs (dioxins) on GC-QqQ(MS/MS) and GC-HRMS in all the investigated samples were within the range of ±4%, and that of DL-PCBs at concentration levels of 0.84 pg WHO-TEQs (DL-PCBs) g⁻¹, in the case of feedstuffs, was 0.11%. Both instrumental methods have similar and comparable linearity, precision and accuracy. The GC-QqQ(MS/MS) sensitivity, lower than that of GC-HRMS, is good enough (iLODs in the down to low pg levels) to detect the normal concentrations of these compounds in food and environmental samples. These results make GC-QqQ(MS/MS) suitable for the quantitative analysis of dioxins and DL-PCBs and a real alternative tool to the reference sector HRMS instruments.     

Feasibility of electron impact and electron capture negative ionisation mass spectrometry for the trace determination of tri- to deca-brominated diphenyl ethers in human samples

The applicability of two different MS ionisation modes (EI and ECNI) for the determination of PBDEs at low-trace levels in small-size (up to 1 mL) human samples was compared. The instrumental precision, expressed as R.S.D., obtained for both ionisation modes was similar and lower than 6% (repeatability) and 12% (intermediate precision) for all congeners investigated, except PBDE 209. The LODs obtained when using the ECNI-MS operation mode (6-507 fg) were lower than those found in EI-MS experiments (9 and 10,909 fg), mainly for those congeners with a high bromination degree, i.e., hepta- to deca-BDEs. The selectivity of the ECNI-MS method proposed in the present work was improved by using two ions of the [M−H_xBr_y]⁻ cluster as both qualifier and quantifier ions. For the final validation of the methods, serum and breast milk samples from two different inter-laboratory exercises were analysed. A good agreement was found between the results obtained using the proposed methods and the results provided by the different inter-laboratory organisations, but only ECNI-MS provided the low-LODs necessary for the quantification of high brominated congeners (mainly, PBDEs 196, 197 and 209) at low concentration levels in small-size human samples. Finally, the ECNI-MS method was applied to real-life samples obtained from the Spanish population and the preliminary results obtained were in the same range as those found in other European and Asian regions and lower than the concentrations reported in USA populations.     

Peptide and protein characterization by high-rate electron capture dissociation Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry

The analytical utility of the electron capture dissociation (ECD) technique, developed by McLafferty and co-workers, has substantially improved peptide and protein characterization using Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR-MS). The limitations of the first ECD implementations on commercial instruments were eliminated by the employment of low-energy electron-injection systems based on indirectly heated dispenser cathodes. In particular, the ECD rate and reliability were greatly increased, enabling the combination of ECD/FTICR-MS with on-line liquid separation techniques. Further technique development allowed the combination of two rapid fragmentation techniques, high-rate ECD and infrared multiphoton dissociation (IRMPD), in a single experimental configuration. Simultaneous and consecutive irradiations of trapped ions with electrons and photons extended the possibilities for ion activation/dissociation and led to improved peptide and protein characterization. The application of high-rate ECD/FTICR-MS has demonstrated its power and unique capabilities in top-down sequencing of peptides and proteins, including characterization of post-translational modifications, improved sequencing of peptides with multiple disulfide bridges and secondary fragmentation (w-ion formation). Analysis of peptide mixtures has been accomplished using high-rate ECD in bottom-up mass spectrometry based on mixture separation by liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis. This paper summarizes the current impact of high-rate ECD/FTICR-MS for top-down and bottom-up mass spectrometry of peptides and proteins.     

Near-ultraviolet femtosecond laser ionization of dioxins in gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Gas chromatography/multiphoton ionization/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC/MPI/TOF-MS) was applied to the trace analysis of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs). To determine the optimum wavelength for analysis of PCDD/Fs, the wavelength of the femtosecond laser utilized for multiphoton ionization was converted to near-ultraviolet status using stimulated Raman scattering. A femtosecond laser emitting at 300 nm completely eliminated the background signal arising from the bleeding compounds generated from a stationary phase of the capillary column in GC.     

De novo sequencing of antimicrobial peptides isolated from the venom glands of the wolf spider Lycosa singoriensis

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), named lycocitin 1, 2 and 3, and a peptide with a monoisotopic molecular mass of 3038.70 Da were detected in the venom glands of the wolf spider Lycosa singoriensis. Two of the peptides, lycocitin 1 and 2, are new AMPs whereas lycocitin 3 is highly homologous to lycotoxin II isolated from the venom of spider Lycosa carolinensis. In addition, two other peptides with monoisotopic masses of 2034.20 and 2340.28 Da showing the motif typical for antimicrobial peptides were also identified. These peptides and lycocitin 1, 2 and 3 were de novo sequenced using electron capture dissociation and low-energy collisional tandem mass spectrometry. The amino acid sequence of lycocitin 1 was determined as GKLQAFLAKMKEIAAQTL-NH(2). Lycocitin 2 differs from lycocitin 1 by a replacement of a lysine residue for an arginine residue at the second position. Lycocitin 3 differs from the known lycotoxin II consisting of 27 amino acid residues by a deletion of Gly-26. Both lycocitin 1 and 2 inhibit growth of Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria and fungi (Candida albicans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) at micromolar concentrations.