Structure characterization and spectroscopic investigation of ciprofloxacin drug

Ciprofloxacin (CPF, C₁₇H₁₈FN₃O₃) drug is used in the treatment of some bacterial infectious diseases. The drug was investigated using thermal analysis (TA) measurements (TG/DTG) and electron impact mass spectral (EI-MS) fragmentation at 70 eV techniques. Furthermore, the drug was characterized and investigated by other spectroscopic tools as IR, UV–Vis, ¹H-, and ¹³C-NMR. Semi-empirical MO calculation using PM3 procedure has been carried out on neutral molecule and positively charged species. The calculations included, bond length, bond order, bond strain, partial charge distribution, ionization energy, and heat of formation (ΔH _f). The PM3 procedure provides a basis for fine distinction among sites of initial bond cleavage, which is crucial to the rationalization of subsequent fragmentation of the molecule. The mass spectra and thermal analysis fragmentation pathways were proposed and compared to each other to select the most suitable scheme representing the correct fragmentation of this drug. From EI-MS, the main primary cleavage site of the charged molecule is that due to C–COOH bond cleavage with H-rearrangement to skeleton and CO₂ loss which can further decompose by piperazine loss. Thermal analysis of the neutral form of the drug reveals the high response of the drug to the temperature variation with very fast rate. Thermal decomposition has carried out in several sequential steps in the temperature range 40–650 °C. The initial thermal decomposition is similar to that obtained by mass spectrometric fragmentation (C–COOH fragment) but differ in that a rearrangement occurs by OH and CO loss. Therefore, comparison between MS and TA helps in selection the proper pathway representing the fragmentation of this drug. This comparison successfully confirmed by MO calculation. Finally, the effect of fluorine atom on the stability of the drug was discussed.     

Mass spectra of gliclazide drug at various ion sources temperature

Gliclazide (GL, C₁₅H₂₁N₃O₃S) drug is used as non-insulin-dependant diabetes mellitus. The drug was investigated using thermal analysis (TA) measurements (TG/DTG) and electron impact mass spectral (EI–MS) fragmentation at 70 eV techniques. The mass spectra of GL at different values of ion source temperatures (400, 416, 425, and 440 K) are recorded and investigated. Semiempirical MO calculation, using PM3 procedure, has been carried out on neutral molecule and positively charged species. These calculations included bond length, bond order, bond strain, partial charge distribution, ionization energy, and heats of formation (ΔH _f). PM3 procedure provides a basis for fine distinction among sites of initial bond cleavage, which is crucial to the rationalization of subsequent fragmentation of the molecule. The primary fragmentation pathway in both TA and MS (at different values of ion source temperature) is initiated by S–N bond rupture. TA and DTG show one main weight loss at 250.38 °C and four peaks at 271.6, 360.99, 427.93 and 479.17 °C in DTA, which may be attributed to various fragments. Also, the rate constant (K′) of thermal degradation has been tested isothermally at 210 and 600 °C. The calculated rate values are 9.6 × 10⁻³ and 0.33 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹, respectively, and discussed. In MS, the effect of ion source temperature on mass spectral fragmentation processes is discussed on the basis of energy considerations using quasi equilibrium theory.     

Multiclass analysis on repaglinide,flubendazole, robenidine hydrochloride and danofloxacin drugs

The drugs under study; repaglinide (Repag), flubendazole (Flu), robenidine hydrochloride (Roben) and danofloxacin (Dano) are antidiabetic, anthelmintic, anticoccidial, and antibiotic drugs. In the present study, they are investigated using electron impact mass spectral (EI-MS) fragmentation at 70 eV, in comparison with thermal analyses measurements (TGA/DrTGA and DTA) and molecular orbital calculation (MO). Semi-empirical MO calculation, AM1 procedure, has been carried out on Repag, Flu, Roben and Dano both as neutral molecules (in TA) and the corresponding positively charged species (in MS). The calculated MO parameters include bond length, bond order, charge distribution on different atoms and heat of formation. The fragmentation pathways of Repag, Flu, Roben and Dano in EI-MS led to the formation of important primary and secondary fragment ions. The mechanism of formation of some important daughter ions can be illuminated from comparing with that obtained using mass spectrometer through the accurate mass measurement determination. The MO provides a base for fine distinction among sites of initial bond cleavage and subsequent fragmentation of drug molecules in both thermal analysis and MS techniques. The activation thermodynamic parameters, such as, (activation energy E¹), (enthalpy ΔH¹), (entropy ΔS¹) and (Gibbs free energy ΔG¹) are calculated from the DrTGA curves using Coats–Redfern and Horowitz–Mitzger methods.     

Thermal and mass spectral characterization of novel azo dyes of p-acetoamidophenol in comparison with Hammett substituent effects and molecular orbital calculations

Four novel azo compounds were synthesized: o-phenylazo-(C₁₄H₁₃N₃O₂) (I), p-bromo-o-phenylazo-(C₁₄H₁₃BrN₃O₂) (II), p-methoxy-o-phenylazo-(C₁₅H₁₆N₃O₃) (III), and p-nitro-o-phenylazo-p-acetamidophenol (C₁₄H₁₃N₄O₄) (IV). These compounds were carefully investigated using elemental analyses, IR, and thermal analyses (TA) in comparison with electron ionization (EI) mass spectral (MS) fragmentation at 70 eV. Semi-empirical MO calculation, PM3 procedure, has been carried out on the four azo dyes (I–IV), both as neutral molecules and the corresponding positively charged molecular ions. These included molecular geometries (bond length, bond order, and charge distribution, heats of formation, and ionization energies). The mass spectral fragmentation pathways and thermal decomposition mechanisms were reported and interpreted on the basis of molecular orbital (MO) calculations. They are found to be highly correlated to each other. Also, the Hammett’s effects of p-methoxy, p-bromo, and p-nitro-substituents of phenyl azo groups on the thermal stability of these dyes (I–IV) are studied by experimental (TA and MS) in comparison with MO calculations, and the data obtained are discussed. This research aimed chiefly to throw more light on the structures of the four prepared azo derivatives of acetoamidophenol (p-cetamol). The data refering to the thermal stability of these dyes can be used in industry for effective dyeing purposes under different thermal conditions.     

Structure investigation of sertraline drug and its iodine product using mass spectrometry, thermal analyses and MO-calculations

Sertraline (C(17)H(17)Cl(2)N) as an antidepressant drug was investigated using thermal analysis (TA) measurements (TG/DTG and DTA) in comparison with electron impact (EI) mass spectral (MS) fragmentation at 70eV. Semi-empirical MO-calculations, using PM3 procedure, has been carried out on neutral molecule and positively charged species. These calculations included bond length, bond order, bond strain, partial charge distribution and heats of formation (DeltaH(f)). Also, in the present work sertraline-iodine product was prepared and its structure was investigated using elemental analyses, IR, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, MS and TA. It was also subjected to molecular orbital calculations (MOC) in order to confirm its fragmentation behavior by both MS and TA in comparison with the sertraline parent drug. In MS of sertraline the initial rupture occurred was CH(3)NH(2)(+) fragment ion via H-rearrangement while in sertraline-iodine product the initial rupture was due to the loss of I(+) and/or HI(+) fragment ions followed by CH(2)NH(+) fragment ion loss. In thermal analyses (TA) the initial rupture in sertraline is due to the loss of C(6)H(3)Cl(2) followed by the loss of CH(3)-NH forming tetraline molecule which thermally decomposed to give C(4)H(8), C(6)H(6) or the loss of H(2) forming naphthalene molecule which thermally sublimated. In sertraline-iodine product as a daughter the initial thermal rupture is due to successive loss of HI and CH(3)NH followed by the loss of C(6)H(5)HI and HCl. Sertraline biological activity increases with the introduction of iodine into its skeleton. The activities of the drug and its daughter are mainly depend upon their fragmentation to give their metabolites in vivo systems, which are very similar to the identified fragments in both MS and TA. The importance of the present work is also due to the decision of the possible mechanism of fragmentation of the drug and its daughter and its confirmation by MOC.     

Real-time trace detection of security-relevant compounds in complex sample matrices by thermal desorption–single photon ionization–ion trap mass spectrometry (TD-SPI-ITMS) Spectrometry (TD-SPI-ITMS)

For the detection of security-relevant substances at low concentrations in complex matrices, coupling of thermal desorption–single photon ionization–ion trap mass spectrometry (TD-SPI-ITMS) was successfully tested. The main advantage of taking solid samples with a wipe pad followed by thermal desorption is the low detection limit by enhanced vapor pressure. Single photon ionization is a soft ionization technique which reduces the target ion fragmentation and shields bulk components with high ionization energies (IE) like nitrogen yielding to clearly arranged mass spectra with significant high mass peaks. To obtain low false-positive and false-negative rates, especially necessary for security-relevant substances, the ion trap mass spectrometer allows identification of signals with MS/MS studies. In this concept, the soft ionization technique fits well with the MS/MS studies, as peaks with high masses are generated yielding significant MS/MS fragments. For the ionization, photon energies between about 8 eV (155 nm) and 12 eV (103 nm) were generated with electron-beam-pumped rare gas excimer lamps (EBEL). Depending on the rare gas used, light with different photon energy is generated, adapted to the substances of interest. So, even most narcotics, having relatively low IEs, can be ionized with 8.4 eV photons without massive fragmentation. For most explosives, photons with higher energy must be used as their IEs are higher. In this work, a mobile setup with a commercial ion trap mass spectrometer has been developed and tested. Even a first real-scenario measurement campaign was accomplished successfully proving the field-suitability of the system.     

Structure investigation of mesalazine drug using thermal analyses,mass spectrometry,DFT calculations,and NBO analysis

Mesalazine (MZ) drug has been used for several decades as a primary treatment for inflammatory bowel diseases. The drug was investigated using thermal analysis (TA) measurements and electron impact mass spectral fragmentation at 70 and 15 eV of electron energy. The optimum molecular geometry and the total energy of the neutral and the positively charged MZ molecules were calculated by density functional theory method with 6-311++G(d,p) basis sets. Stability of the molecules arising from hyperconjugative interactions, charge delocalization, and the natural atomic charges has been analyzed using natural bond orbital analysis. In electron ionization mass spectrometry, the primary rupture is due to successive loss of H₂O (OH from carboxyl and H from phenolic OH of the ring) and CO of the acetyl group. Thermogravimetric results have revealed two stages of mass loss at 75.3 and 25.3 % in ranges 225–350 and 350–650 °C, respectively. The first one may be due to successive losses of different groups or molecules with fast rate of decomposition. A comparison between MS and TA helped in selection the proper pathway representing the fragmentation mechanism of this drug.     

Mass spectral fragmentation pattern of 3-methyl-4-arylaminomethyleneisoxazol-5-ones

The mass spectral fragmentation patterns of 3-methyl-4-arylaminomethyleneisoxazol-5-ones obtained by electron impact have been elucidated. The base peaks are due to the molecular ions. The main fragmentation routes involve loss of H, OH, H₂O, CO₂ and COOH from the molecular ions as well as rupture of the exocyclic CH-NH bond.     

Thermal characteristics of bitumen pyrolysis

The pyrolysis behavior of bitumen was investigated using a thermogravimetric analyzer–mass spectrometer system (TG–MS) and a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) as well as a pyrolysis-gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer system (Py-GC/MS). TG results showed that there were three stages of weight loss during pyrolysis—less than 110, 110–380, and 380–600 °C. Using distributed activation energy model, the average activation energy of the thermal decomposition of bitumen was calculated at 79 kJ mol⁻¹. The evolved gas from the pyrolysis showed that organic species, such as alkane and alkene fragments had a peak maximum temperature of 130 and 480 °C, respectively. Benzene, toluene, and styrene released at 100 and 420 °C. Most of the inorganic compounds, such as H₂, H₂S, COS, and SO₂, released at about 380 °C while the CO₂ had the maximum temperature peaks at 400 and 540 °C, respectively. FTIR spectra were taken of the residues of the different stages, and the results showed that the C–H bond intensity decreased dramatically at 380 °C. Py-GC/MS confirmed the composition of the evolved gas. The DSC revealed the endothermic nature of the bitumen pyrolysis.     

Studies on phosphatidylglycerol with triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization: Fragmentation processes and structural characterization

Negative-ion low-energy collisionally activated dissociation (CAD) tandem mass spectrometry of electrospray-produced ions permits structural characterization of phosphatidylglycerol (PG). The major ions that identify the structures arise from neutral loss of free fatty acid substituents ([M − H − R _x CO₂H]⁻) and neutral loss of the fatty acids as ketenes ([M − H − R′ _x CH = C = O]⁻), followed by consecutive loss of the glycerol head group. The abundances of the ions arising from neutral loss of the sn-2 substutient as a free fatty acid ([M − H − R₂CO₂H]⁻) or as a ketene ([M − H − R′₂CH = C = O]⁻) are greater than those of the product ions from the analogous losses at sn-1. Nucleophilic attack of the anionic phosphate site on the C-1 or the C-2 of the glycerol to which the carboxylates attached expels the sn-1 (R₁CO₂⁻) or the sn-2 (R₂CO₂⁻) carboxylate anion, resulting in a greater abundance of R₂COO⁻ than R₁COO⁻. These features permit assignments of fatty acid substituents and their position in the glycerol backbone. The results are also consistent with our earlier findings that pathways leading to those losses at sn-2 are sterically more favorable than those at sn-1. Fragment ions at m/z 227, 209 and 171 reflect the glycerol polar head group and identify the various PG molecules. Both charge-remote fragmentation (CRF) and charge-drive fragmentation (CDF) processes are the major pathways for the formation of [M − H − R _x COOH]⁻ ions. The CRF process involves participation of the hydrogen atoms on the glycerol backbone, whereas the CDF process involves participation of the exchangeable hydrogen atoms of the glycerol head group. The proposed fragmentation pathways are supported by CAD tandem mass spectrometry of the analogous precursor ions arising from the H-D exchange experiment, and further confirmed by source CAD in combination with tandem mass spectrometry.     

Mass Spectrometry Characterization of the Thermal Decomposition/Digestion (TDD) at Cysteine in Peptides and Proteins in the Condensed Phase

We report on the characterization by mass spectrometry (MS) of a rapid, reagentless and site-specific cleavage at the N-terminus of the amino acid cysteine (C) in peptides and proteins induced by the thermal decomposition at 220–250 °C for 10 s in solid samples. This thermally induced cleavage at C occurs under the same conditions and simultaneously to our previously reported thermally induced site-specific cleavage at the C-terminus of aspartic acid (D) (Zhang, S.; Basile, F. J. Proteome Res. 2007, 6, (5), 1700–1704). The C cleavage proceeds through cleavage of the nitrogen and α–carbon bond (N-terminus) of cysteine and produces modifications at the cleavage site with an amidation (−1 Da) of the N-terminal thermal decomposition product and a −32 Da mass change of the C-terminal thermal decomposition product, the latter yielding either an alanine or β-alanine residue at the N-terminus site. These modifications were confirmed by off-line thermal decomposition electrospray ionization (ESI)-MS, tandem MS (MS/MS) analyses and accurate mass measurements of standard peptides. Molecular oxygen was found to be required for the thermal decomposition and cleavage at C as it induced an initial cysteine thiol side chain oxidation to sulfinic acid. Similar to the thermally induced D cleavage, missed cleavages at C were also observed. The combined thermally induced digestion process at D and C, termed thermal decomposition/digestion (TDD), was observed on several model proteins tested under ambient conditions and the site-specificity of the method confirmed by MS/MS.     

Thermal degradation behavior of a carboxylic acid-terminated amphiphilic block copolymer poly(ethylene)-b-poly(ethylene oxide)

The thermal degradation of an amphiphilic block copolymer poly(ethylene)-b-poly(ethylene oxide)-carboxylic acid terminated (PE-b-80%PEO–CH₂COOH) and its salt obtained as intermediary product from chemical oxidation of the end group of poly(ethylene)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (PE-b-80%PEO) has been studied using a thermogravimetric mass spectrometry (TG/MS) coupled system. The isothermal fragmentation of PE-b-80%PEO–CH₂COOH showed a more complex fragmentation pattern than PE-b-80%PEO owing to the simultaneous occurrence of the polyether block and the carboxylic end group fragmentations. This led to the appearance of four overlapping ion current peaks of fragments with m/z 44 and two peaks relative to m/z 18 at different times by acid-terminated copolymer. For the PE-b-80%PEO copolymer, two ion current peaks associated to m/z 44 and one large peak relative to m/z 18 fragments were detected. The intermediary product (PE-b-80%PEO–CH₂COO⁻ K⁺) showed differences related to the fragmentation behavior. It has more defined ion current signals and presented characteristic peaks attributed to m/z 43 fragment at the very beginning of the thermal degradation process, which it not detected in the acid copolymer.     

Mass spectrometric investigation of buspirone drug in comparison with thermal analyses and MO-calculations

The buspirone drug is usually present as hydrochloride form of general formula C(21)H(31)N(5)O(2).HCl, and of molecular weight (MW)=421.96. It is an analgesic anxiolytic drug, which does not cause sedative or depression of central nervous system. In the present work it is investigated using electron impact mass spectral (EI-MS) fragmentation at 70 eV, in comparison with thermal analyses (TA) measurements (TG/DTG and DTA) and molecular orbital calculation (MOC). Semi-empirical MO calculation, PM3 procedure, has been carried out on buspirone both as neutral molecule (in TA) and the corresponding positively charged species (in MS). The calculated MOC parameters include bond length, bond order, particle charge distribution on different atoms and heats of formation. The fragmentation pathways of buspirone in EI-MS lead to the formation of important primary and secondary fragment ions. The mechanism of formation of some important daughter ions can be illuminated from comparing with that obtained using electrospray ESIMS/MS mode mass spectrometer through the accurate mass measurement determination. The losses of the intermediate aliphatic part (CH2)4 due to cleavage of N-C bond from both sides is the primary cleavage in both techniques (MS and TA). The PM3 provides a base for fine distinction among sites of initial bond cleavage and subsequent fragmentation of drug molecule in both TA and MS techniques; consequently the choice of the correct pathway of such fragmentation knowing this structural session of bonds can be used to decide the active sites of this drug responsible for its chemical, biological and medical reactivity.     

Thermal behavior of verapamil hydrochloride and its association with excipients

The thermal properties of verapamil hydrochloride (VRP) and its physical association as binary mixtures with some common excipients were evaluated. Thermogravimetry (TG) was used to determine the thermal mass loss, as well as to study the kinetics of VRP thermal decomposition, using the Flynn-Wall-Ozawa model. Based on their frequent use in pharmacy, five different excipients (microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone and talc) were blended with VRP. Samples were prepared by mixing the analyte and excipients in a proportion of 1:1 (m/m). DSC curves for pure VRP presented an endothermic event at 143 ± 2 °C (ΔH_melt = 132 ± 4 J g⁻¹), which corresponds to the melting (literature T_m = 143.7 °C, ΔH_melt = 130.6 J g⁻¹). Comparisons among the observed results for each compound and their binary physical mixtures presented no relevant changes. This suggests no interaction between the drug and excipient.     

Resonance capture of electrons by cyclopentadienyltricarbonylmanganese and -rhenium derivatives

Negative ion mass spectra of cyclopentadienyltricarbonylmanganese and-rhenium derivatives RC₅H₄M(CO)₃ (R=H, CN, COOH, COMe, COOMe, CH₂OH, CHO; M=Mn, Re) were studied. The subsequent detachment of carbonyl groups is the main process of the fragmentation of these compounds under the conditions of the resonance capture of electrons. On going fron the rhenium complexes to manganese derivatives, the maxima of the yields of the ions [M-nCO]⁻ (n=1–3) shift to the lower energy region indicating that the stability of the Re−CO bond is higher than that of Mn−CO. The average lifetimes of the molecular negative ions relative to the autodetachment of an electron (τ_a) and to dissociation (τ_d) were measured. It was found that electron-accepting substituents increase the τ_a value and decrease τ_d. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 6, pp. 1161–1164, June, 1997.     

Amino acid influence on copper binding to peptides: Cysteine versus arginine

Matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) and theoretical calculations [density functional theory (DFT)] were utilized to investigate the influence of cysteine side chain on Cu⁺ binding to peptides and how Cu⁺ ions competitively interact with cysteine (−SH/SO₃H) versus arginine. Results from theoretical and experimental (fragmentation reactions) studies on [M+Cu]⁺ and [M+2Cu−H]⁺ ions suggest that cysteine side chains (−SH) and cysteic acid (−SO₃H) are important Cu⁺ ligands. For example, we show that Cu⁺ ions are competitively coordinated to the −SH or SO₃H groups; however, we also present evidence that the proton of the SH/SO₃H group is mobile and can be transferred to the arginine guanidine group. For [M+2Cu−H]⁺ ions, deprotonation of the −SH/SO₃H group is energetically more favorable than that of the carboxyl group, and the resulting thiolate/sulfonate group plays an important role in the coordination structure of [M+2Cu−H]⁺ ions, as well as the fragmentation patterns.     

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.     

Gas-phase fragmentation characteristics of benzyl-aminated lysyl-containing tryptic peptides

The fragmentation characteristics of peptides derivatized at the side-chain ε-amino group of lysyl residues via reductive amination with benzaldehyde have been examined using collision-induced dissociation (CID) tandem mass spectrometry. The resulting MS/MS spectra exhibit peaks representing product ions formed from two independent fragmentation pathways. One pathway results in backbone fragmentation and commonly observed sequence ion peaks. The other pathway corresponds to the unsymmetrical, heterolytic cleavage of the C_ζ-N_ε bond that links the benzyl derivative to the side-chain lysyl residue. This results in the elimination of the derivative as a benzylic or tropylium carbocation and a (n − l)⁺-charged peptide product (where n is the precursor ion charge state). The frequency of occurrence of the elimination pathway increases with increasing charge of the precursor ion. For the benzylmodified tryptic peptides analyzed in this study, peaks representing products from both of these pathways are observed in the MS/MS spectra of doubly-charged precursor ions, but the carbocation elimination pathway occurs almost exclusively for triply-charged precursor ions. The experimental evidence presented herein, combined with molecular orbital calculations, suggests that the elimination pathway is a charge-directed reaction contingent upon protonation of the secondary ε-amino group of the benzyl-derivatized lysyl side chain. If the secondary ε-amine is protonated, the elimination of the carbocation is observed. If the precursor is not protonated at the secondary ε-amine, backbone fragmentation persists. The application of appropriately substituted benzyl analogs may allow for selective control over the relative abundance of product ions generated from the two pathways.     

Thermal behavior and thermal safety on 3,3-dinitroazetidinium salt of perchloric acid

3,3-Dinitroazetidinium (DNAZ) salt of perchloric acid (DNAZ·HClO₄) was prepared, it was characterized by the elemental analysis, IR, NMR, and a X-ray diffractometer. The thermal behavior and decomposition reaction kinetics of DNAZ·HClO₄ were investigated under a non-isothermal condition by DSC and TG/DTG techniques. The results show that the thermal decomposition process of DNAZ·HClO₄ has two mass loss stages. The kinetic model function in differential form, the value of apparent activation energy (E _a) and pre-exponential factor (A) of the exothermic decomposition reaction of DNAZ·HClO₄ are f(α) = (1 − α)⁻¹/2, 156.47 kJ mol⁻¹, and 10^15.12 s⁻¹, respectively. The critical temperature of thermal explosion is 188.5 °C. The values of ΔS ^≠, ΔH ^≠, and ΔG ^≠of this reaction are 42.26 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹, 154.44 kJ mol⁻¹, and 135.42 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. The specific heat capacity of DNAZ·HClO₄ was determined with a continuous C _p mode of microcalorimeter. Using the relationship between C _p and T and the thermal decomposition parameters, the time of the thermal decomposition from initiation to thermal explosion (adiabatic time-to-explosion) was evaluated as 14.2 s.     

The influence of cisplatin on the gas-phase dissociation of oligonucleotides studied by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

cis-Diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cisplatin, DDP) is a cornerstone of anticancer therapy and has become one of the most widely used drugs for the treatment of various epithelial malignancies. The cytotoxicity of cisplatin is mainly based upon its affinity to adjacent guanines in nucleic acids, resulting in the formation of 1,2-intrastrand adducts. In this study the gas-phase dissociation of DNA- and RNA-cisplatin adducts is investigated by electrospray ionization (ESI) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). The fundamental mechanistic aspects of fragmentation are elucidated to provide the basis for the tandem mass spectrometric determination of binding motifs and binding sites of this important anticancer drug. It is shown that the binding of cisplatin to vicinal guanines drastically alters the gas-phase fragmentation behavior of oligonucleotides. The 3′-C-O bond adjacent to the GG base pair is preferentially cleaved, leading to extensive formation of the corresponding w-ion. This observation was even made for oligoribonucleotides, which usually tend to form c- and y-ions under CID conditions. The absence of complementary ions of equal abundance indicates that oligonucleotide-cisplatin adducts are following more than one dissociation pathway in the gas-phase. Several mechanisms that explain the increased cleavage of the 3′-C-O bond and the lack of the complementary a-ion are proposed. Results of additional MS/MS experiments on methylphosphonate-oligodeoxynucleotides confirm the proposed mechanisms.