Multiphoton ionization spectroscopy in surface analysis and laser desorption mass spectrometry

The application of resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) spectroscopy for the ultrasensitive detection of molecules originating from laser desorption experiments performed on a variety of substrates is reviewed. Laser-induced desorption from surfaces is capable of producing intact gas-phase molecules, even from polar, non-volatile, high-molecular-weight and thermally labile substances. REMPI is a highly efficient and optically selective ionization method, which, coupled with laser desorption allows the direct chemical analysis of complex mixtures, without the need for previous sample purification and separation steps. The use of REMPI spectroscopy is discussed in two contexts: (1) for the direct chemical analysis of complex mixtures, e.g., environmental samples, by laser desorption/laser postionization mass spectrometry and (2) for measurements of internal state distribution of molecules laser-desorbed from sub-monolayers surface films to gain insight into the laser desorption mechanism.Presented at the 13th International Symposium on Microchemical Techniques (ISM), held in Montreux, Switzerland, May 16–20,1994     

二乙胺分子的多光子电离："梯转换"过程

The multiphoton ionization (MPI) of diethylamine is first reported in this paper. A time-of-flight mass spectrometer was used in the experiment under collision-free condition. MPI mass spectra were measured in the region of 464 ～486 nm using a dye laser and at double frequency of a Nd:YAG laser. Molecular ion was created through resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) via Rydberg states. Fragment, ion distribution was formed through “ladder switching” process. The experimental demonstration of the process is reported for the first time by the discussion of dependence of ion relative, abundance on laser wavelength and energy. The competition between further up-pumping and fragmentation of Parent ion also exists, and higher laser intensity favors the former.     

Photo-ionisation mass spectrometry as detection method for gas chromatography. Optical selectivity and multidimensional comprehensive separations

Mass spectrometry (MS) with soft ionisation techniques (i.e. ionisation without fragmentation of the analyte molecules) for gaseous samples exhibits interesting analytical properties for direct analysis applications (i.e. direct inlet mass spectrometric on-line monitoring) as well as mass spectrometric detection method for gas chromatography (GC-MS). Commonly either chemical ionisation (CI) or field ionisation (FI) is applied as soft ionisation technology for GC-MS. An interesting alternative to the CI and FI technologies methods are photo-ionisation (PI) methods. PI overcomes some of the limitations of CI and FI and furthermore add some unique analytical properties. The resonance enhanced multi-photon ionisation (REMPI) method uses intense UV-laser pulses (wavelength range approximately 350-193 nm) for highly selective, sensitive and soft ionisation of predominately aromatic compounds. The single photon ionisation (SPI) method utilises VUV light (from lamps or laser sources, wavelengths range approximately 150-110 nm) can be used for a universal soft ionisation of organic molecules. In this article the historical development as well as the current status and concepts of gas chromatography hyphenated to photo-ionisation mass spectrometry are reviewed.     

Selective ultra-trace detection of NO and NO2 in complex gas mixtures using broad-bandwidth REMPI mass spectrometry

In this paper we demonstrate the feasibility of ultra-trace resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) detection employing a small broad-bandwidth solid state laser system. The results reported here are compared with measurements carried out with a conventional excimer pumped dye laser combination. Mass selected broad-bandwidth REMPI spectra for the environmentally relevant nitrogen oxides NO and NO2 are presented. Tunable broad-bandwidth laser radiation with a spectral resolution of > 10 cm(-1) in the wavelength range 560-400 nm was employed for the detection of NO2. For NO detection, the range 230-224 nm was covered. Laser radiation was generated using an optical parametric oscillator pumped by an unseeded Nd:YAG laser. A mobile time-of-flight mass spectrometer equipped with an atmospheric pressure laser ionization source allowed for mass selective parent ion detection at m/z 30 for NO and m/z 46 for NO2. The limit of detection was 10 pptV for NO and 20 pptV for NO2. A selectivity of > 2000 for both compounds with respect to N2O5, organic nitrates and NO2 in the case of NO is reported. An improved laser system currently under construction is expected to provide detection limits below pptv mixing ratios for both nitrogen oxides in a 20 s integration interval.     

Sequence-specific fragmentation of benzyloxycarbonyl dipeptides by resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization

The mechanism of fragment ion formation in resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) of benzyloxycarbonyl (CBZ)-derivitized dipeptides is presented. At 266 nm, the entire multiphoton process can be thought of as a two-part scheme where ionization occurs by resonant two-photon ionization followed by photodissociation of the created ions. When the energy of two photons exceeds the molecular ionization energy by a significant amount, REMPI has the advantage of producing both parent ions and low appearance energy fragments in large amounts. For CBZ dipeptides, resonant two-photon ionization at 266 nm produces parent ions as well as A type sequence ions with high abundance. On the other hand, a three-photon process (resonant two-photon ionization followed by parent ion photodissociation) forms sequence-related ions which also involve complex fragmentations of the CBZ chromophore. These results are compared to mass spectra obtained by other ionization/dissociation methods and to REMPI mass spectra of related compounds. Factors related to molecular structure elucidation based upon REMPI mass spectra are discussed. Enhanced isomer distinction is demonstrated for CBZ-leu-ala-OCH₃ and CBZ-ile-ala-OCH₃ based upon REMPI fragmentation.     

Hyphenation of gas chromatography and resonance-enhanced laser mass spectrometry (REMPI-TOFMS): A multidimensional analytical technique

Analysis of environmental samples usually requires time consuming sample preparation and clean-up procedures prior to instrumental detection. Faster analysis requires an enhanced instrumental selectivity in order to reduce the necessary clean-up effort. In this context we present a novel concept for coupling gas chromartography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with high resolution UV spectoscopy to increase selectivity. We use UV-laser induced, resonance-enhanced multi-photon ionization (REMPI)as a compound specifie ion source for time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS). The REMPI ionization involves the UV absorption spectroscopy into the ionization process as an aditional analytical dimension. The heart of the GC-REMPI-TOFMS coupling is a specially designed valve, which repetitively (20 Hz) expands the chromatographic eluent as short supersonic jet gas pulses (≈ 150 μs duration) into the vacuum of the mass specrtrometer. The sample molecules are cooled down to temperatures of 10-40 K within the jet expansion. Under these conditions, UV absorption spectriscopy (i.e. REMPi spectroscopy) becomes highly compound selective, even able to distinguish isomeric compounds. The ions formed by REMPI ionization are mass analyzed in the TOFMS. Thus the GC-REMPI-TOFMS coupling presented here is actually a three-dimensional analytical instrument, providing gas chromatographic (retention time) as well as mass spectrometric (molecular mass) and UV -spectroscopic (excitation laser wavelength) selectivity. In combination with gas phase sampling and concentration techniques for semi-volatile organic air pollutants based, e.g., on silicone rubber traps the GC-LAMS technique can be a powerful tool for fast environmental target analysis, e.g. for industrial emission control purposes.     

Analysis of trans-resveratrol by laser ionization mass spectrometry and HPLC with fluorescence detection. Comparison between both techniques

A comparison between two analytical techniques is presented using trans-resveratrol as analyte and vine leaf as sample. The employed methods were: (a) laser desorption followed by resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LD-REMPI-TOFMS), and (b) reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) with fluorescence detection. While both techniques show a similar range of linearity and reproducibility, marked differences were found in their sensitivity and required time for a single analysis. For example: (i) the chromatographic method required considerable less time (30min) than the REMPI method to implement the analysis, (ii) the detection and quantification limits of the REMPI technique were 2.1 and 6.7 microg L(-1), respectively, while for the chromatographic method they were ten times minor, i.e. 20 and 67 microg L(-1), respectively. A critical assessment including advantages and drawbacks of each technique is presented.     

Resonant laser mass spectrometry: fragmentation patterns from 13C1 naturally labeled molecules

The potential of resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) mass spectrometry to pick out the fragmentation pattern due to ¹³C₁-isotopomers from the fragmentation pattern due to the unlabeled molecule, in non-isotope-enriched samples, has been explored. Toluene, n-propylbenzene, ortho-diethylbenzene, and tert-butylbenzene have been used as testing samples. The fragmentation patterns of the unlabeled molecule and of the natural abundance ¹³C₁-isotopomer have been measured in a time-of-flight mass analyzer by exciting successively the S₁ ← S₀ origins of the ¹²C-monoisotopic molecule and ¹³C₁-isotopomers. Fragmentation mechanisms are not completely clear from the comparison of these mass spectra, but the method can be applied to low concentration enriched compounds labeled in known positions.     

Resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization mass spectrometry using a two-color laser beam generated by stimulated Raman scattering.

Two-color (1+1') resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (REMPI/TOF-MS) combined with supersonic jet (SSJ) spectrometry has been demonstrated. The methodology uses a two-color laser beam consisting of a Stokes beam generated by stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) and a fundamental beam for the excitation and subsequent ionization of p-dichlorobenzene. The MPI signal was found to be substantially increased when a two-color laser beam was employed. This approach greatly simplifies the analytical system and reduces the cost of the instrumentation required for two-color ionization. The potential advantage of applying this method for the analysis of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (PCDD) and polychlorinated dibenzofuran (PCDF) emitted from an incinerator is discussed.     

Fundamentals of the application of matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization mass spectrometry to low mass poly(methylmethacrylate) polymers

Matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization (MALDI) time of flight is shown to give a molar peak area response for isolated methylmethacrylate oligomers that have 25 and 50 repeat units when run on three different instruments in reflectron or linear mode and using three different matrix materials. In addition, fragmentation was not observed in any of the three different matrices or at higher laser power. No spectral differences were observed for syndiotactic and isotactic methylmethacrylate oligomers. These results suggest that the low most probable peak values observed for narrow distribution poly(methylmethacrylate) standards by MALDI mass spectrometry are not the result of mass discrimination or fragmentation.     

Desorption and fragmentation studies of organic molecules by laser-induced mass spectrometry

Desorption, fragmentation, and cationization of a variety of organic molecules using a laser mass spectrometer are described. At low laser power densities, desorption of organic molecules takes place. With progressively higher laser power densities, fragmentation characteristic of molecular structure occurs and at very high laser power densities, indiscriminate fragmentation occurs. It is also possible to observe parent peaks from mixtures of organic molecules without any fragmentation.     

Laser desorption ionization and MALDI time-of-flight mass spectrometry for low molecular mass polyethylene analysis

Polyethylene's inert nature and difficulty to dissolve in conventional solvents at room temperature present special problems for sample preparation and ionization in mass spectrometric analysis. We present a study of ionization behavior of several polyethylene samples with molecular masses up to 4000 Da in laser desorption ionization (LDI) time-of-flight mass spectrometers equipped with a 337 nm laser beam. We demonstrate unequivocally that silver or copper ion attachment to saturated polyethylene can occur in the gas phase during the UV LDI process. In LDI spectra of polyethylene with molecular masses above approximately 1000 Da, low mass ions corresponding to metal-alkene structures are observed in addition to the principal distribution. By interrogating a well-characterized polyethylene sample and a long chain alkane, C94H190, these low mass ions are determined to be the fragmentation products of the intact metal-polyethylene adduct ions. It is further illustrated that fragmentation can be reduced by adding matrix molecules to the sample preparation.     

用质谱和光电子能谱研究飞秒强场中的电离动力学

报导了用自制飞秒激光器通过飞秒多光子电离质谱和光电子能谱对飞秒强激光场与分子（氨、苯）相互作用的研究。飞秒激光脉宽约100fs,二倍频中心波长407.5nm,聚焦后脉冲功率密度达到1012W/cm2。氨的光电子能谱显示了（2+2）REMPI和（2+2）+1ATI、（2+2）+2ATI三组电子峰,每组峰又包括伸缩振动v1的带系,ATI峰的振动布居出现反转。随着光强增加,谱峰加宽而且振动能级出现平移。这些强场效应可用PonderomotivePotential解释。苯的飞秒质谱图与纳秒情况不同,分子离子为主,碎片峰很少。     

Characterization of internal salts by laser mass spectrometry

An intermolecular alkyl transfer reaction (ATR) leading to ion-pair formation has been observed for internal salts by using laser mass spectrometry (l.m.s.). Positive- and negative-ion spectra both show evidence for alkyl transfer. Both the LAMMA-500 (transmission) and LAMMA-1000 (reflection) laser mass spectrometers were used. The positive-ion laser mass spectra obtained by these two instruments show some significant differences; no significant differences were observed in the negative-ion spectra. Results obtained for quaternary ammoniohexanoates as a function of laser power indicate that the extent of ATR is greater at high laser power. Addition of a small amount of p-toluenesulfonic acid to the ammoniohexanoates reduces fragmentation and enhances the intensity of the quasimolecular ion (M + H)⁺ relative to ATR. Results from deuterated sultaines were used to confirm intermolecular alkyl transfer and to elucidate some fragmentation processes. Field-desorption (f.d.) mass spectra of internal salts show similarities and differences from l.m.s.; not all internal salts showed the alkyl transfer reaction in f.d. Cluster ion formation was observed in f.d.m.s. but not in l.m.s.     

Matrix-assisted laser desorption mass spectrometry of oligodeoxythymidylic acids.

Ferulic acid, sinapinic acid and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHBA) have been tested as matrix materials for matrix-assisted laser desorption of the pure oligonucleotide pd(T)12 and a mixture of oligonucleotides pd(T)12 through pd(T)18 using pulsed 337 nm radiation combined with reflecting time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The three matrix materials are compared with respect to obtainable mass resolution, degree of fragmentation, and adduct formation for these oligonucleotides. DHBA was found to produce the least fragmentation and adduct formation, as well as the highest mass resolution.     

Wavelength and metal dependence in the photofragmentation of a gas-phase lanthanide beta-diketonate complex

The time-of-flight mass spectra of tris(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionato) lanthanide(III) [or Ln(thd)3 with Ln = Eu, Tb, Gd] produced by laser-induced multiphoton ionization in a supersonic expansion were studied as a function of laser excitation wavelength. Resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI), monitoring the Eu(I) ion signal from gas-phase Eu(thd)3, was observed in three distinct visible-excitation regions, corresponding to electronic absorption transitions on neutral Eu(0) atoms. The confirmation of the presence of Eu(0) atoms in the beam supports the proposed mechanism for the production of Ln atoms through sequential dissociation of neutral thd ligands from the metal following photoexcitation into ligand-to-metal charge-transfer (LMCT) states. Evidence is also presented that the LnO+ and LnOH+ fragments observed in the mass spectrum are produced via a separate, competing fragmentation pathway. The branching ratios between the two fragmentation pathways are compared for Ln(thd)3 (Ln = Eu, Tb, Gd). The ligand-dissociation pathway that produces Ln atoms appears to be more favorable in Ln(thd)3 complexes with low-lying LMCT states. Finally, the observation of the Tb2(thd)6+ dimer and its associated fragmentation pattern, as well as the presence of metal carbides, which are relevant to carbon contamination in chemical vapor deposition, is discussed.     

丁酮分子3d态的共振增强多光子电离

酮类分子含有羰基,其价电子跃迁主要涉及ＣＯ成键π轨道,Ｏ原子的非键２ｐｙ轨道和ＣＯ反键π轨道,它们的能量顺序为π＜２ｐｙ＜π,里德堡态由最高占有轨道２ｐｙ(ｎ０)的一个孤对电子向各里德堡轨道跃迁产生［１］．ＶＵＶ吸收谱［１,２］和电子能谱［１,３］都显...     

Comparison of laser microprobe mass spectrometry and fast-atom-bombardment mass spectrometry for organic analysis

Both the techniques mentioned provide molecular weight and structural information, but laser microprobe mass spectrometry (LMMS) also provides greater control over the degree of fragmentation and enhanced sensitivity. In addition, LMMS allows microprobe analysis (i.e., spatial resolution of a few μm²) as well as providing quantitative measurements. The less energetic nature of fast-atom-bombardment mass spectrometry (FAB-MS) makes it more suitable for the analysis of highly labile polar compounds and high-mass biopolymers.     

Wavelength-dependent photofragmentation of a mixed-ligand cyclometalated platinum(II) coordination compound in a molecular beam

The photofragmentation of (3-Me-4',6'-dfppy)Pt(dpm) (dfppy = difluorophenylpyridinato; dpm = dipivaloylmethyl or 2,2,6,6,-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionato- O, O) in a molecular beam is reported. Time-of-flight mass spectra (TOF-MS) and resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) data are presented and discussed. The dissociation patterns are strongly wavelength-dependent. With 355 nm excitation, the heaviest mass platinum-containing fragments are Pt(+) and diatomic PtC(+). The formation of PtC(+) is the result of an intramolecular rearrangement on the ligand. During irradiation with 410-500 nm light, the fragmentation pattern changes such that the parent ion and platinum-containing fragments of the parent are formed in abundant yield. The (3-Me-4',6'-dfppy) ligand remains intact and coordinated to platinum, but coordinated (dpm) successively breaks apart. A spin-forbidden charge-transfer absorption band centered at around 460 nm plays an important role in the gas-phase photoexcitation of the parent molecule; it is observed in the REMPI spectrum of the parent ion.     

Multiphoton ionization mass spectroscopy of p-xylene at 193 and 248 nm

Multiphoton ionization (MPI) fragmentation pattern of p-xylene is investigated as a function of laser power at 193 and 248 nm. The mass pattern at 193 nm suggests the presence of two reaction sequences and the occurrence of drastic rearrangement in the parent ion and also in the superexcited xylene before fragmentation.