Characterization of sodiated glycerol phosphatidylcholine phospholipids by mass spectrometry

Fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry in the positive mode was used for the characterization of sodiated glycerol phosphatidylcholines. The relative abundance (RA) of the protonated species is similar to the RA of the sodiated molecular species. The sodiated fragment ion, [M + Na - 59](+), corresponding to the loss of trimethylamine, and other sodiated fragment ions, were also observed. The decomposition of the sodiated molecule is very similar for all the studied glycerol phosphatidylcholines, in which the most abundant ion corresponds to a neutral loss of 59 Da. Upon collision-induced dissociation (CID) of the [M + Na](+) ion informative ions are formed by the losses of the fatty acids in the sn-1 and sn-2 positions. Other major fragment ions of the sodiated molecule result from loss of non-sodiated and sodiated choline phosphate, [M + Na - 183](+), [M + Na - 184](+.) and [M + Na - 205](+), respectively. The main CID fragmentation pathway of the [M + Na - 59](+) ion yields the [M + Na - 183](+) ion, also observed in the CID spectra of the [M + Na](+) molecular ion. Other major fragment ions are [M + Na - 205](+) and the fragment ion at m/z 147. Collisional activation of [M + Na - 205](+) results in charge site remote fragmentation of both fatty acid alkyl chains. The terminal ions of these series of charge remote fragmentations result from loss of part of the R(1) or R(2) alkyl chain. Other major informative ions correspond to acylium ions.     

Structural determination of hexadecanoic lysophosphatidylcholine regioisomers by fast atom bombardment tandem mass spectrometry

The structural determination of sn-1 and sn-2 hexadecanoic lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) regioisomers was carried out using fast atom bombardment tandem mass spectrometry (FAB-MS/MS). The collision-induced dissociation (CID) of protonated and sodiated molecules produced diverse product ions due mainly to charge remote fragmentations. Based on the information obtained from the CID spectra of protonated and sodiated molecules, sn-1 and sn-2 hexadecanoic LPC isomers could be discriminated. Especially, the abundance ratio of the diagnostic ion pair [m/z 224/226] in the CID spectra of [M + H](+) ions was shown to be greatly different. Moreover, the CID-MS/MS spectra of sodium-adducted molecules for hexadecanoic LPC isomers showed characteristic product ions such as [M + Na - 103](+), [M + Na - 85](+), and [M + Na - 59](+), by which their regio-specificity can be differentiated.     

Structural analysis of phosphatidylcholines by post-source decay matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

The utility of post-source decay (PSD) matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) was investigated for the structural analysis of phosphatidylcholine (PC). PC did not produce detectable negative molecular ion from MALDI, but positive ions were observed as both [PC+H](+) and [PC+Na](+). The PSD spectra of the protonated PC species contained only one fragment corresponding to the head group (m/z 184), while the sodiated precursors produced many fragment ions, including those derived from the loss of fatty acids. The loss of fatty acid from the C-1 position (sn-1) of the glycerol backbone was favored over the loss of fatty acid from the C-2 position (sn-2). Ions emanating from the fragmentation of the head group (phosphocholine) included [PC+Na-59](+), [PC+Na-183](+) and [PC+Na-205](+), which corresponded to the loss of trimethylamine (TMA), non-sodiated choline phosphate and sodiated choline phosphate, respectively. Other fragments reflecting the structure of the head group were observed at m/z 183, 146 and 86. The difference in the fragmentation patterns for the PSD of [PC+Na](+) compared to [PC+H](+) is attributed to difference in the binding of Na(+) and H(+). While the proton binds to a negatively charged oxygen of the phosphate group, the sodium ion can be associated with several regions of the PC molecule. Hence, in the sodiated PC, intermolecular interaction of the negatively charged oxygen of the phosphate group, along with sodium association at multiple sites, can lead to a complex and characteristic ion fragmentation pattern. The preferential loss of sn-1 fatty acid group could be explained by the formation of an energetically favorable six-member ring intermediate, as apposed to the five-member ring intermediate formed prior to the loss of sn-2 fatty acid group.     

Internal residue loss produced by rearrangement of a novel cationic glycosphingolipid,glyceroplasmalopsychosine, in collision-induced dissociation

A novel plasmal conjugate of galactosylsphingosine (psychosine), Gro1(3)-O-plasmal-O-6Galbeta-sphingosine (glyceroplasmalopsychosine), was analyzed by electrospray ionization and liquid secondary ion mass spectrometry with low- or high-energy collision-induced dissociation (CID). In the product ion spectra of the [M + H](+) ions, [M + H - glycerol](+) ions arising from the loss of a glycerol were predominant. Unexpectedly, CID of the [M + H - glycerol](+) ion produced an outstanding ion, [(M + H - glycerol) - Hex](+), which required the loss of the galactose from inside the molecule. This ion was greatly reduced in the spectra of N,N-dimethyl derivatives, indicating that the [(M + H - glycerol) - Hex](+) ion is formed from an intramolecular rearrangement with migration of the plasmal residue to the free amino group of sphingosine. It would be expected that the rearrangement occurs simultaneously with the elimination of glycerol or a rearranged [M + H](+) ion leads to the elimination of glycerol, to form a Schiff base-type [M + H - glycerol](+) ion, from which the terminal galactose could be removed by the normal mechanism of glycosidic cleavage. On the other hand, the [M + Na - glycerol](+) ion derived from the sodiated molecule did not produce an ion corresponding to the rearrangement reaction, possibly owing to a higher stability of the sodiated ions against conformational changes.     

Evaluation of glycosylation and malonylation patterns in flavonoid glycosides during LC/MS/MS metabolite profiling

Flavonoid conjugates constitute several classes of plant phenolic secondary metabolites including many isomeric compounds differing in the hydroxylation pattern and substitution of their rings with different groups such as alkyls, acyls or sugars. These compounds occur in plant tissues mainly as glycosides and in many cases it is necessary to have reliable and detailed information concerning the structure of these natural products. Our results were obtained using leaf extracts of Arabidopsis thaliana and Lupinus angustifolius in which different glycosides of flavones, flavonols and isoflavones are present. Analysis of collision-induced dissociation (CID)/MS/MS spectra of protonated [M + H](+), sodiated [M + Na](+) or deprotonated [M - H](-) molecules recorded during HPLC runs may bring needed information in this respect. However, registration of mass spectra of [M + Na](+) ions with a good efficiency is possible only after post-column addition of a sodium acetate solution to the LC column eluate. The retention of sodium cation on the saccharidic parts of the molecule is observed after the CID fragmentation. In many cases, the location of this cation on the glycan attached to C-3 hydroxyl group of flavonol led to assignment of its structure. Additionally, the determination of the structure of the aglycone and of the sequence of the glycan part was made possible through the CID data obtained from the [M + H](+) and [M - H](-) ions. CID spectra show a different order of sugar elimination from hydroxyl groups at C-3 and C-7 in flavonol glycosides isolated from A. thaliana leaves and give sufficient information to discriminate flavonoid O-diglycosides from flavonoid di-O-glycosides.     

Mass spectral studies of meso-dialkyl, alkyl aryl and cycloalkyl calix(4)pyrroles under positive and negative ion electrospray ionization conditions

A series of meso-dialkyl, alkyl aryl and cycloalkyl calix(4)pyrroles (1-15) are studied under positive and negative ion electrospray ionization (ESI) conditions. The positive ion spectra show abundant [M + H](+) and [M + Na](+) ions and the negative ion spectra show the [M + Cl](-) (the Cl(-) ions from the solvent) and [M - H](-) ions. The collision induced dissociation (CID) spectra of [M + H](+), [M + Na](+), [M + Cl](-) and [M - H](-) ions are studied to understand their dissociation pathway and compared to that reported for M(+) under electron ionization (EI) conditions. The beta-cleavage process that was diagnostic to M(+) is absent in all the CID spectra of the ions studied under ESI. Dissociation of all the studied ions resulted in the fragment ions formed by sequential elimination of pyrrole (A) and/or dialkyl/alkyl aryl/cycloalkyl (B) groups involving hydrogen migration to pyrrole ring at each cleavage of A--B bond, which clearly reveals the arrangement of A and B groups in the calix(4)pyrroles. The source of hydrogen that migrates to pyrrole ring during A--B bond cleavage is investigated by the experiments on deuterated compounds and [M + D](+) ions; and confirmed that the hydrogen attached to pyrrole nitrogen, hydrogen on alpha-carbon of alkyl group and the H(+)/Na(+) ion that added during ESI process to generate [M + H](+)/[M + Na](+) ions involve in the migration. The yields of [M + Na](+) ions are found to be different for the isomeric meso-cycloalkyl compounds (cycloheptyl, and 2-, 3- and 4-methyl cyclohexyl) and for normal and N-confused calix(4)pyrroles. The isomeric methyl and 3-hydroxy/4-hydroxy phenyl calix(4)pyrroles show specific fragmentation pattern during the dissociation of their [M - H](-) ions.     

Differentiation of diasteromeric α-sulfanyl-β-amino acid derivatives by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

A set of diastereomeric α-sulfanyl-β-amino acid derivatives, which are important building blocks for pharmaceuticals with potent biological activity, are studied by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. The collision induced dissociation (CID) spectra of [M+H](+), [M+NH(4)](+), [M+Na](+) and [M+Li](+) of the diastereomers were studied, among them the CID of [M+Na](+) and [M+Li](+) showed consistent differences in the relative abundance of characteristic ions that enabled distinction of the anti isomers from syn isomers. The decomposition pathways for the diagnostic ions were arrived at based on high-resolution mass spectrometry data, multiple mass spectrometry data, deuterium labeling experiments and the mass shift in accordance with the substituents located at different places. Loss of (R(1)-C(6)H(4)-CH=NH) and (Cat-NH-SO(2)R(2)) from [M+Cat](+), where Cat=Na and Li, and the product ions as a results of McLafferty rearrangement involving either >S=O or >C=O group were found to be diagnostic. The McLafferty rearrangement product ions involving >S=O group were more abundant in syn isomers while those involving >C=O group were more abundant in anti isomer. The selectivity observed in the decomposition of [M+Li](+) ions was found to be similar to that of [M+Na](+) ions, but in few cases the differences are marginal in the decomposition [M+Li](+) ions.     

Mass spectrometric analysis of hydroxyproline glycans

Mass spectrometric techniques are presented which allow one to analyze the sugar part bound to hydroxyproline in hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins. The hydroxyproline (Hyp) glycans obtained by alkaline hydrolysis give abundant [M + Na](+) ions by electrospray ionization which after collision-induced dissociation (CID) yield inter alia [Hyp - H + Na](+). In mixtures a parent ion scan of this species will indicate the various molecular species which can then be analyzed by MS(n) after CID in an ion trap, where successive losses of the sugar units are observed. Methylation techniques allow one to distinguish between linear and branched isomeric structures.     

Collision-induced dissociation of MCl(+) adducts (M = Mg, Mn, Zn, Co, Ni and Cu) and Cu(+) and Ag(+) adducts of dithioalkyl ketene acetals

Electrospray ionization mass spectra of equimolar solutions of dithioalkyl ketene acetals 1 and 2 and metal chlorides (MgCl(2), MnCl(2), ZnCl(2), CoCl(2), NiCl(2) and CuCl(2)) produced abundant ligated metal ion adducts [1 + MCl](+) and [2 + MCl](+). In addition, CuCl(2) also gave rise to Cu(+) adducts. The ligated metal ion adducts upon collision-induced dissociation (CID) showed characteristic fragmentation pathways reflecting the favoured site of coordination. The results show that MgCl(+) prefers oxygen over sulfur, whereas the reverse is true for ZnCl(+) adducts, exemplified by the preferred fragmentation of [1 + MgCl](+) as elimination of MgCl(OH), while that of [1 + ZnCl](+) is expulsion of ZnCl(SCH(3)). Co and Ni chloride adducts tend to give stable metal coordinated species. Cleavage of the dithiolane ring followed by elimination of C(2)H(4)S is the preferred pathway during the CID of [2 + MCl](+) adducts. The CuCl(+) adducts of 1 and 2 showed reduction of Cu((I)) to Cu((0)) resulting in the M(+)(*)ions of 1 and 2. Abstraction of *CH(3) resulting in elimination of CuCH(3) was observed during CID of Cu(+) adducts of 1 and 2. A comparative study of the corresponding Ag(+) adducts revealed a similar behaviour.     

Experimental observation of spin delocalisation onto the aryl-alkynyl ligand in the complexes [Mo(C≡CAr)(Ph2PCH2CH2PPh2)(η-C7H7)]+ (Ar = C6H5, C6H4-4-F; C7H7 = cycloheptatrienyl): an EPR and ENDOR investigation

The paramagnetic aryl-alkynyl complexes [Mo(C≡CAr)(dppe)(η-C(7)H(7))](+) (dppe = Ph(2)PCH(2)CH(2)PPh(2); Ar = C(6)H(5), [1](+); C(6)D(5), [2](+); C(6)H(4)-4-F, [3](+); C(6)H(4)-4-Me, [5](+)) and [Mo(C≡CBu(t))(dppe)(η-C(7)H(7))](+) [4](+), have been investigated in a combined EPR and ENDOR study. Direct experimental evidence for the delocalisation of unpaired spin density over the framework of an aryl-alkynyl ligand has been obtained. The X-band solution EPR spectrum of the 4-fluoro derivative, [3](+), exhibits resolved hyperfine coupling to the remote para position of the aryl group [a(iso)((19)F) = 4.5 MHz, (1.6 G)] in addition to couplings attributable to (95/97)Mo, (31)P and (1)H of the C(7)H(7) ring. A full analysis of the (1)H ENDOR spectra is restricted by the low g anisotropy of the system which prevents the use of orientation selection. However, inter-comparison of the (1)H cw-ENDOR frozen solution spectra of [1](+), [2](+), [4](+) and [5](+), combined with spectral simulation informed by calculated values derived from DFT investigations, has facilitated estimation of the experimental a(iso)((1)H) hyperfine couplings of [1](+) including the ortho, ±3.7 MHz (±1.3 G) and para, ±3.9 MHz (±1.4 G) positions of the C(6)H(5) substituent of the aryl-alkynyl ligand.     

Structural determination of lysophosphatidylcholines extracted from marine sponges by fast atom bombardment tandem mass spectrometry

A series of lysophosphatidylcholines were isolated from the marine sponge Spirastrella abata by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and analyzed by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry (FAB-MS). Their structural elucidation was carried out with fast atom bombardment tandem mass spectrometry (FAB-MS/MS). The collision-induced dissociation (CID) of protonated and sodiated molecular ions produced diverse product ions via a series of dissociative processes. Because of the positive charge of the amine group at the end of the molecules, charge-remote fragmentation patterns of specific ions, [M + H](+) or [M + Na](+), were very helpful for the identification of product ions which are characteristic for choline and long hydrocarbon chains substituted at the glycerol back bone. Moreover, the CID-MS/MS spectra of sodium adducted molecular ions for lysophosphatidylcholines yielded common characteristic fragment ions for the choline moiety and characteristic ions [M + Na-103](+), [M + Na-85](+) and [M + Na-59](+) in the higher mass region.     

Hydrogen-deuterium exchange reactions of cis- and trans-cyclopropane derivatives with D(2)O and CD(3)OD in the gas phase

Gas-phase hydrogen-deuterium (H/D) exchange reactions involving four isomeric cyclopropane derivatives were investigated under chemical ionization (CI) conditions, using D(2)O and CD(3)OD as reagent gases. There are abundant ions at [M + 1](+), [M + 2](+) and [M + 3](+) in the D(2)O and CD(3)OD positive-ion CI mass spectra of the two isomer pairs 1, 2 and 3, 4. Their CI mass spectra are identical with each pair, and so are the collision-induced dissociation (CID) spectra of ions [M + 1](+), [M + 2](+) and [M + 3](+) of each of the two isomer pairs. The CID spectra of [M + 1](+) ions indicate that they have common D/H exchange reactions within each pair, which take place between molecular ions and deuterium-labeling reagents to form the [M - H + D](+) ions. Those of their [M + 2](+) ions show that they have common D/H exchange reactions within each pair, which form the [M(d1) + H](+) ions. Those of their [M + 3](+) ions show that they have common D/H exchange reactions within each pair, which take place between the [M(d1)] and deuterium-labeling reagents to produce [M(d2) + H](+) for the isomer pair 1, 2 and [M(d1) + D](+) for the isomer pair 3, 4. The number and position, and active order of the active hydrogen atoms of the isomer pairs 1, 2 and 3, 4 were determined. Copyright 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Isomer differentiation by combining gas chromatography,selective self-ion/molecule reactions and tandem mass spectrometry in an ion trap mass spectrometer

This study presents a novel, simple and rapid procedure for isomer differentiation by combining gas chromatography (GC), a selective self-ion/molecule reaction (SSIMR) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) in an ion trap mass spectrometer (ITMS). SSIMR product ions were produced from four isomers. For aniline, SSIMR induces the formation of the molecular ion, [M+H](+), [M+CH](+), adduct ions of fragments ([M+F](+), where F represents fragment ions) and [2M-H](+). 2 and 3-Picoline produce [M+H](+), [2M-H](+) and [M+F](+), while 5-hexynenitrile produces [M+H](+), [M+F](+) and [2M+H](+) ions. The proposed method provides a relatively easy, rapid and efficient means of isomer differentiation via a SSIMR in the ITMS. Typically, isomer differentiation can be achieved within several minutes. The superiority of the SSIMR technique for isomer differentiation over electronic ionization (EI) is also demonstrated.     

Analysis of triacetone triperoxide (TATP) and TATP synthetic intermediates by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

The explosive triacetone triperoxide (TATP) has been analyzed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) on a linear quadrupole instrument, giving a 62.5 ng limit of detection in full scan positive ion mode. In the ESI interface with no applied fragmentor voltage the m/z 245 [TATP + Na](+) ion was observed along with m/z 215 [TATP + Na - C(2)H(6)](+) and 81 [(CH(3))(2)CO + Na](+). When TATP was ionized by ESI with an applied fragmentor voltage of 75 V, ions at m/z 141 [C(4)H(6)O(4) + Na](+) and 172 [C(5)H(9)O(5) + Na](+) were also observed. When the precipitates formed in the synthesis of TATP were analyzed before the reaction was complete, a new series of ions was observed in which the ions were separated by 74 m/z units, with ions occurring at m/z 205, 279, 353, 427, 501, 575, 649 and 723. The series of evenly spaced ions is accounted for as oligomeric acetone carbonyl oxides terminated as hydroperoxides, [HOOC(CH(3))(2){OOC(CH(3))(2)}(n)OOH + Na](+) (n = 1, 2 ... 8). The ESI-MS spectra for this homologous series of oligoperoxides have previously been observed from the ozonolysis of tetramethylethylene at low temperatures. Precipitates from the incomplete reaction mixture, under an applied fragmentor voltage of 100 V in ESI, produced an additional ion observed at m/z 99 [C(2)H(4)O(3) + Na](+), and a set of ions separated by 74 m/z units occurring at m/z 173, 247, 321, 395, 469 and 543, proposed to correspond to [CH(3)CO{OOC(CH(3))(2)}(n)OOH + Na](+) (n = 1,2 ... 5). Support for the assigned structures was obtained through the analysis of both protiated and perdeuterated TATP samples.     

Differentiation of isomeric polyaromatic hydrocarbons by electrospray Ag(I) cationization mass spectrometry

Abundant Ag(I)-cationized complexes of 13 polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), [Ag+PAH](+) and [Ag+2(PAH)](+), were readily generated by electrospray ionization (ESI). In-source collision-induced dissociation (CID) of the [Ag+2(PAH)](+) complex yielded the monomer complex [Ag+PAH](+), which fragmented further to yield the radical molecular ion [PAH](+.). Based on significant differences in relative intensities of [Ag+2(PAH)](+), [Ag+PAH](+) and [PAH](+.), isomeric PAHs can be differentiated. The [PAH](+.)/[Ag+PAH](+) ion intensity ratio was found to increase with decreasing ionization potentials (IPs) of PAHs. The ratio was significantly different for the isomeric PAHs studied over a wide range of PAH concentrations (1.6-100 nmol/mL), and showed good measurement reproducibility; the coefficient of variation of inter-day measurements was in the range 3-12% for four representative PAHs (n = 5). Detection limits for phenanthrene, pyrene, chrysene and benzo[a]pyrene, in the form of the monomer complexes [(107)Ag+PAH](+) and measured in the selected-ion monitoring (SIM) mode, were 0.31, 0.63, 0.16 and 1.25 pmol/5 microl injection, respectively (S/N ratio approximately 2-3).     

How alkali metal ion binding alters the conformation preferences of gramicidin A: a molecular dynamics and ion mobility study

Here, we present a systematic study combing electrospray ionization-ion mobility experiments and an enhanced sampling molecular dynamics, specifically integrated tempering sampling molecular dynamics simulations (ITS-MDS), to explore the conformations of alkali metal ion (Na, K, and Cs) adducts of gramicidin A (GA) in vacuo. Folding simulation is performed to obtain inherent conformational preferences of neutral GA to provide insights about how the binding of metal ions influences the intrinsic conformations of GA. The comparison between conformations of neutral GA and alkali metal ion adducts reveals a high degree of structural similarity, especially between neutral GA and [GA + Na](+); however, the structural similarities decrease as ionic radius of the metal increases. Collision cross section (CCS) profiles for [GA + Na](+) and [GA + Cs](+) ions obtained from by ITS-MDS compare favorably with the experimental CCS, but there are significant differences from CCS profiles for [GA + K](+) ions. Such discrepancies between the calculated and measured CCS profiles for [GA + K](+) are discussed in terms of limitations in the simulation force field as well as possible size-dependent coordination of the [GA + K](+) ion complex.     

Differentiation of the diastereomeric synthetic precursors of isofebrifugine and febrifugine by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Febrifugine is an alkaloid with potent antimalarial activity isolated from Dichroa febrifuga and Hydrangea umbellate, and it exists naturally with its diastereomeric component, isofebrifugine. Here we report the differentiation of diastereomeric synthetic precursors of isofebrifugine (1, cis) and febrifugine (2, trans) and a structurally similar model diastereomeric pair without a halogen substituent (3 and 4) by electrospray ionization (ESI) tandem mass spectrometry. Compounds 1-4 contain a tert-butoxycarbonyl (BOC) substituent, and the collision-induced dissociation (CID) spectra of the [M+H](+), [M+Na](+) and [M+Li](+) ions of 1-4 include the expected product ions corresponding to the loss of C(4)H(8) (isobutene) and of C(5)H(8)O(2) (BOC-H). Loss of C(5)H(8)O(2) is dominant in cis isomers (1 and 3) and/or loss of C(4)H(8) ions is dominant in trans isomers (2 and 4). The decomposition of [M+H](+) ions shows stereoselectivity in the formation of the [M+H-(BOC-H)-C(3)H(5)OBr](+) and [M+H-(BOC-H)-C(6)H(5)CH(2)OH](+) ions. The [M+Cat](+) ions (where Cat = Na or Li) additionally show loss of NaBr and HBr from [M+Cat-(BOC-H)](+), and these product ions are constantly more abundant in cis isomers than in trans isomers. The stereoselectivity for the product ion corresponding to the loss of [(BOC-H)+C(3)H(5)OBr] from [M+H](+) ions differs from that from [M+Cat](+) ions.     

Electrospray mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry of bimetallic oxovanadium complexes

A series of six bimetallic oxovanadium complexes (1-6; only one was purified) were investigated by electrospray quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-QTOF-MS/MS) in negative-ion mode. Radical molecular anions [M](.-) were observed in MS mode. Fragmentation patterns of [M](.-) were proposed, and elemental compositions of most of the product ions were confirmed on the basis of the high-resolution ESI-CID-MS/MS spectra. A complicated series of low-abundance product ions similar to electron impact (EI) ionization spectra indicated the radical character of the precursor ions. Fragment ions at m/z 214, 200, and 182 seem to be the characteristic ions of bimetallic oxovanadium complexes. These ions implied the presence of a V-O-V bridge bond, which might contribute to stabilization of the radical. To obtain more information for structural elucidation, three representative bimetallic oxovanadium complexes (1-3) were analyzed further by MS in positive-ion mode. Positive-ion ESI-MS produced adduct ions of [M + H](+), [M + Na](+), and [M + K](+). The fragmentation patterns of [M + Na](+) were different than those of radical molecular anions [M](.-). Relatively simple fragmentation occurred for [M + Na](+), possibly due to even-electron ion character. Negative-ion MS and MS/MS spectra of the hydrolysis product of Complex 1 supported these finding, in particular, the existence of a V-O-V bridge bond.     

Phenolate and phenoxyl radical complexes of Co(II) and Co(III)

The new phenol-imidazole pro-ligands (R)LH react with Co(BF(4))(2).6H(2)O in the presence of Et(3)N to form the corresponding [Co(II)((R)L)(2)] compound (R = Ph (1), PhOMe (2), or Bz (3)). Also, (Bz)LH, reacts with Co(ii) in the presence of Et(3)N and H(2)O(2) to form [Co(III)((Bz)L)(3)](4). The structures of 1.2.5MeCN, 2.2DMF, 3.4MeOH, and 4.4DMF have been determined by X-ray crystallography. 1, 2, and 3 each involve Co(II) bound to two N,O-bidentate ligands with a distorted tetrahedral coordination sphere; 4 involves Co(III) bound to three N,O-bidentate ligands in a mer-N(3)O(3) distorted octahedral geometry. [Co(II)((R)L)(2)](R = Ph or PhOMe) undergo two, one-electron, oxidations. The products of the first oxidation, [1](+) and [2](+), have been synthesised by the chemical oxidation of 1 and 2, respectively; these cations, formulated as [Co(II)((R)L*)((R)L)(2)](+), comprise one phenoxyl radical and one phenolate ligand bound to Co(II) and are the first phenoxyl radical ligand complexes of tetra-coordinated Co(II). 4 undergoes two, one-electron, ligand-based oxidations, the first of which produces [4](+), [Co(III)((Bz)L*)((Bz)L)(2)](+). Unlike [1](+) and [2](+), product of the one-electron oxidation of [Co(II)((Bz)L)(2)], [3](+), is unstable and decomposes to produce [4](+). These studies have demonstrated that the chemical properties of [M(II)((R)L*)((R)L)(2)](+)(M = Co, Cu, Zn) are highly dependent on the nature of both the ligand and the metal centre.     

Mass spectral analysis of N-oxides of Chemical Weapons Convention related aminoethanols under electrospray ionization conditions

N,N'-Dialkylaminoethanols are the hydrolyzed products or precursors of chemical warfare agents such as V-agents and nitrogen mustards, and they are prone to undergo oxidation in environmental matrices or during decontamination processes. Consequently, screening of the oxidized products of aminoethanols in aqueous samples is an important task in the verification of chemical weapons convention-related chemicals. Here we report the successful characterization of the N-oxides of N,N'-dialkylaminoethanols, alkyl diethanolamines, and triethanolamine using positive ion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The collision-induced dissociation (CID) spectra of the [M+H](+) and [M+Na](+) ions show diagnostic product ions that enable the unambiguous identification of the studied N-oxides, including those of isomeric compounds. The proposed fragmentation pathways are supported by high-resolution mass spectrometry data and product/precursor ion spectra. The CID spectra of [M+H](+) ions included [MH-CH(4)O(2)](+) as the key product ion, in addition to a distinctive alkene loss that allowed us to recognize the alkyl group attached to the nitrogen. The [M+Na](+) ions show characteristic product ions due to the loss of groups (R) attached to nitrogen either as a radical (R) or as a molecule [R+H or (R-H)] after hydrogen migration.