Surface dependent hydrogen rearrangement reactions in field ionisation mass spectrometry

Surface dependent hydrogen rearrangement reactions under field ionisation conditions have been investigated. It was not possible to detect surface-induced intramolecular hydrogen rearrangements in molecular ions, in accordance with theoretical expectations. The possibility of intramolecular hydrogen rearrangements exists only for radical ions chemically bound to the emitter surface, for example, the [M – H]⁺ ions of the alcohols. The great majority of surfacedependent hydrogen transfer reactions are intermolecular reactions between parts of different molecules or ions bound to the emitter surface. These reactions produce fragment ions, cluster ions and doubly charged ions.     

Ionisation in the absence of high voltage using supercritical fluid chromatography: a possible route to increased signal

Supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) is fast becoming a technique of choice for the analysis of a wide range of compounds and has been found to be complementary to high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The combination of SFC and mass spectrometry (MS) affords a very useful tool in the separation and analysis of compounds. In this study the ionisation of samples in the absence of an applied electrospray voltage has been observed when using SFC/MS, with some compounds showing increased sensitivity when all ionisation source high voltage (HV) is removed. In an attempt to understand the mechanism of ionisation, a series of test compounds were analysed using standard electrospray ionisation (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation (APCI) source configurations and also different API source designs. In both cases, data were acquired with the applied high voltage on (normal conditions) or with the high voltage off, i.e. no voltage spray (novo-spray). The standards were analysed with a range of pressure and modifier percentage conditions. To understand the nature of the ionisation process observed, this was compared with three established liquid-to-gas ionisation mechanisms. These were thermospray (TSP), charge residue model (CRM) of ESI and sonic spray ionisation (SSI). Experiments were undertaken in an attempt to explain this ionisation phenomenon and quantify any observed change in sensitivity. The most important point to note is that enhanced ionisation was observed under novo-spray conditions in a SFC/MS configuration, which in certain cases provides a lowering in the overall limit of detection (LOD).     

Resonance enhanced laser ionisation mass spectrometry of four aromatic molecules

Multiphoton ionisation and fragmentation of aniline, benzene, N,N-dimethyl and 2,4-dimethyl aniline has been studied by laser ionisation mass spectrometry under collision free conditions. All four molecules undergo efficient resonance-enhanced two-photon ionisation (R2PI) with relatively low laser intensities at λ = 266 nm producing the parent ion almost exclusively. At higher intensities, high order processes compete producing extensive fragmentation. At 266 nm, all the major fragment ions are produced by R3PI. For aniline excited at 294 nm, energetic considerations suggest R4P1 formation of fragments with differences in fragmentation between 266 and 294 nm reflecting the differing orders and energies above threshold of the competing processes. Comparison of R2P1 efficiencies in aniline and benzene shows that the cross sections for ionisation of the resonant intermediate ₁B² excited state in both molecules are approximately equal and independent of wavelength in the range 250–300 nm.     

Cyclic Boronate Derivatives in Combined Gas Chromatography - Chemical Ionisation Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

The utility of cyclic boronate derivatives for the combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of 1,2- and 1,3- diols has been further extended by the application of chemical ionisation techniques. Abundant quasi-molecular ions (M+1) in the isobutane chemical ionisation spectra of the examples studied (which include the methaneboronates of monoglycerides, monoalkyl glyceryl ethers, a steroid, dihydrosphingosine and a ceramide) are frequently accompanied by intense and informative fragment ions.     

Gas chromatographic-tandem mass spectrometric analysis of clenbuterol residues in faeces

In all EU member states, the use in livestock farming of certain substances having a hormonal action is prohibited. Clenbuterol, the β-adrenergic agonist, has some growth promoting characteristics. Screening for clenbuterol can be carried out by an immunoassay. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is very valuable for confirmatory purposes. In full scan MS it is impossible to fulfil the EU criteria of four diagnostic ions with one single ionisation mode. Some alternative possibilities are: (1) the use of two different ionisation modes, (2) the use of different derivatization methods or (3) the use of tandem MS. Each derivatisation or ionisation mode on its own did not give a sufficient number of ions. By combining these different possibilities we were able to obtain four ions, fulfilling the EU criteria.     

Atmospheric pressure matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation ion trap mass spectrometry of synthetic polymers: a comparison with vacuum matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Atmospheric pressure matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation quadrupole ion trap (AP-MALDI/QIT) mass spectrometry has been investigated for the analysis of polyethylene glycol (PEG 1500) and a hyperbranched polymer (polyglycidol) in the presence of alkali-metal salts. Mass spectra of PEG 1500 obtained at atmospheric pressure showed dimetallated matrix/analyte adducts, in addition to the expected alkali-metal/PEG ions, for all matrix/alkali-metal salt combinations. The relative intensities of the desorbed ions were dependent on the matrix, the alkali-metal salt added to aid cationisation and the ion trap interface conditions [capillary temperature, in-source collisionally-induced dissociation (CID)]. These data indicate that the adducts are rapidly stabilised by collisional cooling enabling them to be transferred into the ion trap. Experiments using identical sample preparation conditions were carried out on a vacuum MALDI time-of-flight (ToF) mass spectrometer. In all cases, vacuum MALDI-ToF spectra showed only alkali-metal/PEG ions and no matrix/analyte adducts. The tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) capability of the ion trap has been demonstrated for a lithiated polyglycol yielding a rich fragment-ion spectrum. Analysis of the hyperbranched polymer polyglycidol by AP-MALDI/QIT reveals the characteristic ion series for these polymers as also observed under vacuum MALDI-ToF conditions.     

Is the atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation and collisionally induced methanol loss from protonated dehydroamino acids a retrosynthetic process?

Unsaturated 5(4H)-oxazolones lead, by methanolysis, to the corresponding dehydroamino acid derivatives. Interestingly, under atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation (APCI) conditions, the latter give rise, aside from abundant [M+H](+) ions, to [MHbondCH(3)OH](+) species, formally corresponding to the protonated oxazolones employed for their synthesis. Retrosynthetic processes have often been described as energetically favoured decompositions of odd-electron molecular ions but never invoked in APCI-activated fragmentations. To investigate this possible retrosynthetic process, occurring also under collisional conditions, some experiments on the deuterated analogues have been undertaken. The breakdown curves of [M+H](+) of oxazolones and [MHbondCH(3)OH](+) of the dehydroamino acid derivatives are superimposable, proving their structural identity and giving experimental evidence of the occurrence of a real retrosynthetic process from even-electron protonated molecules.     

Organomercury compounds : XIX. The preparation of pentafluorophenylmercurials by mercuration under basic conditions

Mercuration of pentafluorobenzene under basic conditions in aqueous tertbutanol by tetrabromomercurate(II) ions, phenylmercuric chloride, and p-tolylmercuric chloride yields bis(pentafluorophenyl)mercury, (pentafluorophenyl)-phenylmercury, and (pentafluorophenyl)-p-tolymercury respectively, in a single simple preparative step. Cleavage of bis(pentafluorophenyl)mercury with iodide or bromide ions in alcohols or aqueous alcohols gives pentafluorobenzene, tetrahalogenomercurate(II) ions, and base. Under alkaline conditions, tetrahalogenomercurate(II) ions are reduced to mercury by ethanol or methanol. Decomposition of (pentafluorophenyl)phenylmercury by iodide ions has also been studied.     

Characterisation of polyacetylenes isolated from carrot (Daucus carota) extracts by negative ion tandem mass spectrometry

The potential use of negative electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) in the characterisation of the three polyacetylenes common in carrots (Daucus carota) has been assessed. The MS scans have demonstrated that the polyacetylenes undergo a modest degree of in-source decomposition in the negative ionisation mode while the positive ionisation mode has shown predominantly sodiated ions and no [M+H](+) ions. Tandem mass spectrometric (MS/MS) studies have shown that the polyacetylenes follow two distinct fragmentation pathways: one that involves cleavage of the C3-C4 bond and the other with cleavage of the C7-C8 bond. The cleavage of the C7-C8 bond generated product ions m/z 105.0 for falcarinol, m/z 105/107.0 for falcarindiol, m/z 147.0/149.1 for falcarindiol-3-acetate. In addition to these product ions, the transitions m/z 243.2 → 187.1 (falcarinol), m/z 259.2 → 203.1 (falcarindiol), m/z 301.2 → 255.2/203.1 (falcarindiol-3-acetate), mostly from the C3-C4 bond cleavage, can form the basis of multiple reaction monitoring (MRM)-quantitative methods which are poorly represented in the literature. The 'MS(3) ' experimental data confirmed a less pronounced homolytic cleavage site between the C11-C12 bond in the falcarinol-type polacetylenes. The optimised liquid chromatography (LC)/MS conditions have achieved a baseline chromatographic separation of the three polyacetylenes investigated within 40 min total run-time.     

Analysis of urinary nucleosides. I. Optimisation of high performance liquid chromatography/electrospray mass spectrometry

In order to optimise the analysis of urinary nucleosides by high performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS), the HPLC separation of these compounds was performed at different 'flow rates' and 0.2mL/min was found to give both a better separation and ionisation. The ionisation conditions were optimised to give the best intensity of the molecules quasi-molecular ions. The ion distribution profile and ionisation in both positive and negative mode were examined and the detection of the protonated molecule in positive mode chosen for further analysis. The limits of detection of the method developed are reported and representative LC/MS and LC/MS/MS spectra shown. Typical urinary nucleoside chromatograms are presented.     

Ion binding to bilayers of the iridescent phase in aqueous tetradecyldimethylaminoxid studied by mass spectrometry.

The behaviour of a tetradecyldimethylaminoxid (C14DMAO) iridescent solution with a strict composition has been investigated in the presence of NaCl, KCl, NaF, KF, NaClO4, or NH4ClO4 at a constant ionic strength. Specific ion effects (the Hofmeister effects), arising when changing ions of the same valency, have been studied. The interactions of C14DMAO molecules with the added ions have been investigated by electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The ESI-MS results indicate that C14DMAO bilayer interactions are stronger with cations than with anions. Among the cations studied here, potassium ions are more favourably bound at the C14DMAO bilayers than sodium ions. The aminoxide groups of the C14DMAO molecules do not bind NH4+ ions. The positive charge of the electric double layers on the C14DMAO bilayers is neutralised by anions of the added electrolytes. Consequently, the separation distance between the lamellar layers decreases and the ordering in the studied systems is broken. Among the studied counterions, chloride ions are most strongly bound to the interface causing the greatest breakdown of the ordering in the iridescent solution.     

On-line coupling of solid-phase extraction with mass spectrometry for the analysis of biological samples. I. Determination of clenbuterol in urine

The potential of the direct coupling of solid-phase extraction (SPE) with mass spectrometry (MS) for the analysis of biological samples is demonstrated. For SPE a cartridge exchanger is used and the eluate is directly introduced into the mass spectrometer. This system has been investigated for the determination of clenbuterol in urine. With mixed-mode cartridges, a considerable ion suppression has been obtained. The mass spectrum at the elution time of clenbuterol is dominated by that of creatinine and adduct formation of clenbuterol and creatinine has been observed. The whole procedure including injection of 1 ml urine, washing and desorption has been developed with cartridges containing 8-microm C18-bonded silica. If only a single MS step is used, the selectivity and, therefore, the sensitivity are insufficient. The detection limit is about 100 ng/ml. However, with atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation and the tandem MS mode the detection limit has been decreased to about 2 ng/ml and the ion suppression is only about 10%. For the electrospray ionisation the detection limit is about 10-times higher and the ion suppression is less favourable. The repeatability for the SPE-MS-MS procedure was 6.5% at 10 ng/ml (n=5) and the difference between the response factors at 10 ng/ml and 100 ng/ml was only 2.5%. The MS behaviour of clenbuterol and the matrix under the present conditions is discussed.     

Electrospray ionisation and ion-trap fragmentation of substituted 3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-pyridin-2-ones

A variety of 5-alkoxycarbonyl-4-aryl-6-methyl-3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-pyridones and hexahydrofuro[3,4-b]-2(1H)-pyridones have been investigated by electron impact (EI) and electrospray ionisation (ESI) techniques. Sequential product ion fragmentation (MS(n)) was performed to elucidate the degradation pathways for these compounds. Comparisons are made between positive and negative even-electron ions from ESI spectra and the molecular radical cations obtained under EI conditions. The data collected in this paper provide information on the strong impact that different substituents have on the ion fragmentation process.     

Evaluation of three ionisation modes for the analysis of chlorinated paraffins by gas chromatography/ion-trap mass spectrometry

The applicability of three ionisation modes to the analysis of short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was evaluated. MS conditions for electron ionisation (EI), positive chemical ionisation (PCI) and electron-capture negative ionisation (ECNI) were optimised using commercially available individual tetra-, penta- and hexachlorodecanes. In addition, mass spectra were studied and fragmentation pathways were proposed for each individual congener. Different fragment ions were evaluated for quantification, and ECNI-MS using [HCl2](-) and [Cl2](-*) ions was selected for the determination of SCCPs. Quality parameters (repeatability, limits of detection and calibration range) were established for the proposed method, which was then applied to the analysis of SCCPs in river sediments.     

Identification and quantitation of phenylalanine, tyrosine and dihydroxyphenylalanine in the thoracic nervous system of the locust, Schistocerca gregaria, by gas chromatography-negative-ion chemical ionisation mass spectrometry

Phenylalanine, tyrosine and dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) were identified unambiguously and quantitatively determined in single ventral thoracic nerve cords from the locust, Schistocerca gregaria, by gas chromatography-negative-ion chemical ionisation mass spectrometry. Deuterium-labelled analogues of each compound were added to a single ventral thoracic nerve cord in hydrochloric acid; the tissue was homogenised and the suspension centrifuged. The remaining hydrochloric acid was eliminated azeotropically by repeated additions of acetonitrile followed by evaporation under a stream of nitrogen and the resultant residue derivatised by reaction with hexafluoroisopropanol and pentafluoropropionic anhydride. Under negative-ion chemical ionisation conditions, the hexafluoroisopropanol-pentafluoropropionyl derivatives produced characteristic ions which were sufficiently abundant to be suitable for selected-ion monitoring. This method is highly specific and gave a limit of detection below the nanogram level. The amounts of phenylalanine, tyrosine and DOPA in a single ventral thoracic nerve cord were, respectively, 194 +/- 81, 347 +/- 88 and 11 +/- 11 ng per tissue.     

Analytical chemistry of synthetic routes to psychoactive tryptamines. Part III. Characterisation of the Speeter and Anthony route to N,N-dialkylated tryptamines using CI-IT-MS-MS

Twelve symmetrically and 13 asymmetrically N,N-disubstituted glyoxalylamide precursors and their corresponding tryptamine derivatives have been characterised by gas chromatography low-pressure chemical ionisation ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (CI-IT-MS-MS) with internal (in situ) ionisation using methanol as the chemical ionisation reagent. Mass spectral differences and similarities between the investigated compounds are discussed and put into context with previous investigations. In tryptamines the formation of [CH2=N+R2R3] iminium ions after beta-cleavage appears to be the dominating process. Dissociation of the protonated molecule into [3-vinylindole]+ for example, appears to be a minor pathway when compared with electrospray triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-TQ-MS-MS) where this ion transition was found to be of distinctive importance. CI-IT-MS-MS is also found to enable the differentiation between most isomeric derivatives studied.     

Femtosecond laser time-of-flight mass spectrometry of labile molecular analytes: laser-desorbed nitro-aromatic molecules.

Femtosecond laser time-of-flight mass spectra of solid samples of trinitrobenzene (TNB), trinitrotoluene (TNT) and trinitrophenol (TNP) have been recorded. Desorption of the solid samples was enacted by the fourth harmonic output (266 nm) of a 5 ns Nd:YAG laser. Subsequent femtosecond post-ionisation of the plume of neutral molecules was achieved using 800 nm laser pulses of 80 fs duration. Mass spectra have been recorded for desorption laser intensities from 2-6 x 10(9) W cm(-2) with ionisation laser intensities between 2 x 10(14) and 6 x 10(15) W cm(-2). Femtosecond laser ionisation has been shown to be capable of generating precursor and characteristic high-mass fragment ions for labile nitro-aromatic molecules commonly used in high-explosive materials. This feature is critical in the future development of femtosecond laser-based analytical instruments that can be used for complex molecular identification and quantitative analysis of environmentally important labile molecules. Furthermore, a comparison of femtosecond post-ionisation mass spectra with standard 70 eV electron impact data has revealed similarities in the spectra and hence the fragmentation processes.     

Generation of alkoxide anions from a series of aliphatic diols and alcohols and their ion-molecule reactions with carbon dioxide in the gas phase

Alkoxide anions, [M-H](-) from a series of aliphatic diols and alcohols are generated in the source under negative ion electrospray ionisation conditions by cone-voltage fragmentation of the corresponding [M + F](-) ions. The collision-induced dissociation (CID) spectra of [M-H](-) ions consist of [M-H-2H](-) ions, in addition to the other characteristic fragment ions, and the relative abundance of [M-H-2H(-) ions among the series of diols varies as a function of chain length that could be explained based on their stabilities through intramolecular hydrogen bonding. The reactivity of alkoxide anions is studied through ion-molecule reactions with CO(2) in the collision cell of a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. All the alkoxide anions reacted with CO(2) and formed corresponding carbonate anions, [M-H + CO(2)](-) ions. The reactivity of alkoxide anions within the series of diols also reflected the stability of their [M-H](-) ions.     

Evidence of gold-gold intra- and intermolecular interactions gained by laser desorption/ionisation and fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry in the study of some gold(I) coordination compounds

The mass spectrometric behaviour of some two-coordinated linear gold(I) complexes has been studied by fast atom bombardment (FAB) and laser desorption/ionisation (LDI) methods. The results obtained demonstrate some interesting aspects of Au-Au interactions. The detection under FAB conditions of Au(n)(+) clusters, in particular of Au(3)(+) species, can be rationalised by the presence of significant intramolecular Au-Au interactions, while the formation under LDI conditions of Au(n)(+) clusters can be considered indicative of Au(ellipsis)Au intermolecular interactions present in the solid state. Copyright 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.