Microsynthesis and mass spectral study of Chemical Weapons Convention related 2‐alkyl‐1,3,6,2‐dioxathiaphosphocane‐2‐oxides

Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)‐related compounds where the phosphorus atom is part of a ring have very limited representation in mass spectral libraries and the open literature. Here we report electron ionization (EI), chemical ionization (CI) and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI‐MSⁿ) spectra and retention indices for 2‐alkyl‐1,3,6,2‐dioxathiaphosphocane‐2‐oxides (alkyl C₁ to C₃) which are new cyclic chemicals covered under the CWC. The EI mass spectra show a pattern of ion fragmentation that is similar to that of other cyclic phosphonates in that loss of the alkylphosphonic acid as a neutral loss is more important than the presence of the protonated alkylphosphonic acid. In contrast to other cyclic phosphonates, the 2‐alkyl‐1,3,6,2‐dioxathiaphosphocane‐2‐oxides show almost no protonated alkylphosphonic acid and as a result the spectra do not carry the same distinctive signature of the phosphorus–carbon bond that is required for the chemical to be covered under the CWC. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Application of cation-exchange solid-phase extraction for the analysis of amino alcohols from water and human plasma for verification of Chemical Weapons Convention

The analysis of nitrogen containing amino alcohols, which are the precursors and degradation products of nitrogen mustards and nerve agent VX, constitutes an important aspect for verifying the compliance to the CWC (Chemical Weapons Convention). This work devotes on the development of solid-phase extraction method using silica- and polymer-based SCX (strong cation-exchange) and MCX (mixed-mode strong cation-exchange) cartridges for N,N-dialkylaminoethane-2-ols and alkyl N,N-diethanolamines, from water. The extracted analytes were analyzed by GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) in the full scan and selected ion monitoring modes. The extraction efficiencies of SCX and MCX cartridges were compared, and results revealed that SCX performed better. Extraction parameters, such as loading capacity, extraction solvent, its volume, and washing solvent were optimized. Best recoveries were obtained using 2 mL methanol containing 10% NH(4)OH and limits of detection could be achieved up to 5 x 10(-3) microg mL(-1) in the selected ion monitoring mode and 0.01 microg mL(-1) in full scan mode. The method was successfully employed for the detection and identification of amino alcohol present in water sample sent by Organization for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in the official proficiency tests. The method was also applied to extract the analytes from human plasma. The SCX cartridge showed good recoveries of amino alcohols from human plasma after protein precipitation.     

PREPARATION,DERIVATIZATION WITH TRIMETHYLSILYLDIAZOMETHANE,AND GC/MS ANALYSIS OF A “POOL” OF ALKYL METHYLPHOSPHONIC ACIDS FOR USE AS QUALITATIVE STANDARDS IN SUPPORT OF COUNTERTERRORISM AND THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION

There are hundreds of nerve agents in the class of alkyl methylphosphonofluoridates covered by Schedule 1 of the CWC (Chemical Weapons Convention). Hydrolysis of these sarin-like nerve agents results in an equal number of alkyl methylphosphonic acids. These alkyl methylphosphonic acids are persistent and provide good evidence of specific agent production or use. In order to support the CWC and counterterrorism activities, it is desirable to have ready access to each of these hydrolysis products for use as qualitative standards. A means for simultaneously producing multiple alkyl methylphosphonates from methylphosphonic acid and the corresponding alcohols was developed. Derivatization of these alkyl methylphosphonic acids with trimethylsilyldiazomethane yields the corresponding methyl esters which are suitable for GC/MS analysis.     

Fragmentation pathways of O-alkyl methylphosphonothionocyanidates in the gas phase: Toward unambiguous structural characterization of chemicals in the Chemical Weapons Convention framework

The electron-impact (EI) mass spectra of a series of O-alkyl methylphosphonothionocyanidates were studied for Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) purposes. General EI fragmentation pathways were constructed and discussed, and collision-induced dissociation studies of the major EI ions were performed to confirm proposed fragment structures by analyzing fragment ions of deuterated analogs and by use of density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Thiono–thiolo rearrangement, McLafferty-type rearrangement, and a previously unknown intramolecular electrophilic aromatic substitution reaction were observed and confirmed. The study also focused on differentiation of isomeric compounds. Retention indices for all compounds, and an electrophilicity index for several compounds, are reported and interpreted.     

Extraction of alkyl methylphosphonic acids from aqueous samples using a conventional polymeric solid-phase extraction sorbent and a molecularly imprinted polymer

The analysis of alkyl methylphosphonic acids (AMPAs) constitutes an important subject for verifying the compliance to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). Indeed, alkyl methylphosphonic acids are the degradation products of V and G nerve agents such as VX, sarin or soman. Lowering the limits of detection of analytical methods for complex aqueous matrices implies the introduction of concentration and clean-up steps in the whole analytical process. Therefore a molecular imprinted polymer (MIP) has been previously developed for the selective extraction and the concentration of the alkyl methylphosphonic acids. Unfortunately, the selective retention process on this MIP has involved the development of hydrogen bonds and so does not allow the direct percolation of aqueous samples. A change of solvent is then necessary and can be performed using solid-phase extraction (SPE) with conventional non selective hydrophobic sorbents. Two polymeric sorbents, Oasis HLB and HR-P resins, were selected for their high specific surface area. The extraction recoveries obtained on both sorbents were compared and the Oasis HLB sorbent was further selected and used for the percolation of acidified aqueous samples. An optimised SPE procedure was then applied to concentrate an aqueous soil extract spiked with isobutyl methylphosphonic acid (iBMPA) and cyclopentyl methylphosphonic acid (cPMPA) that was further cleaned-up by passing through the MIP. The resulting LC-MS full scan chromatograms highlight the clean-up effect of the SPE-MIP association by the removal of the matrix substances and the preservation of 95% of the compounds of interest.     

Structural determination of nerve agent markers using gas chromatography mass spectrometry after derivatization with 3‐pyridyldiazomethane

Nerve agents are a class of organophosphorous chemicals that are prohibited under the Chemical Weapons Convention. Their degradation products, phosphonic acids, are analyzed as markers of nerve agent contamination and use. Because the phosphonic acids are non‐volatile and very polar, their identification by GC‐MS requires a derivatization step prior to analysis. Standard derivatization methods for gas‐chromatography electron‐impact mass‐spectrometry analysis give very similar spectra for many alkyl phosphonic acid isomers, which complicates the identification process. We present a new reagent, 3‐pyridyldiazomethane, for preparing picolinyl ester derivatives of alkyl methylphosphonic acids facilitating the determination of their structure by enhancing predictable fragmentation of the O‐alkyl chain. This fragmentation is directed by the nitrogen nucleus of the pyridyl moiety that abstracts hydrogen from the O‐alkyl chain, inducing radical cleavage of the carbon–carbon bonds and thereby causing extensive fragmentation that can be used for detailed structure elucidation of the O‐alkyl moiety. The separability of related isomers was tested by comparing the spectra of the picolinyl esters formed from twelve hexyl methylphosphonic acid isomers. Spectral library matches and principal component analysis showed that the picolinyl esters were more effectively separated than the corresponding trimethylsilyl derivatives used in the standard operating procedures. The suggested method will improve the unambiguous structural determination process for phosphonic acids. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Differentiation of isomeric compounds by two-stage proton transfer reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometry

We investigated a two-stage ion source for proton transfer reaction (PTR) ionization to achieve more selective mass spectrometric (MS) detection of selected volatile organic compounds (VOCs) than that achieved with commonly used PTR-MS instruments, which are based on single-step PTR ionization with H3O+. The two-stage PTR ion source generated reagent ions other than H3O+ by an initial PTR between H3O+ and a selected VOC, and then a second PTR ionization occurred only for VOCs with proton affinities larger than the affinity of the reagent VOC. Acetone and acetonitrile were useful as reagent VOCs because they provided dominant peaks as a protonated form. Using two-stage PTR-MS, we differentiated isomeric VOCs (for example, ethyl acetate and 1,4-dioxane) by means of differences in their proton affinities; protonated acetone formed the [M + H]+ ion from ethyl acetate but not from 1,4-dioxane. The PTR-MS-derived concentrations agreed quantitatively with those independently determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) at parts per million by volume (ppmv) levels. In addition, interfering fragment ions formed from alkyl benzenes at m/z 79 (C6H7+) could be distinguished from the m/z 79 ion arising from protonation of benzene, and therefore this method would prevent overestimation of benzene concentrations in air samples in which both benzene and alkyl benzenes are present. This two-stage PTR ionization may be useful for distinguishing various isomeric species, including aldehydes and ketones, if appropriate reagent ions are selected.     

Microemulsion mediated in situ derivatization-extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometric analysis of alkylphosphonic acids

Detection and identification of environmental signatures of chemical warfare agents is an important aspect of verification program of Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). Alkylphosphonic acids (APAs) are ultimate and persistent degradation products of nerve agents. Their identification in a sample submitted for off-site analysis infers possible indication of contamination with nerve agents. This paper describes the development of a new sample preparation method which involves 'in situ derivatization and extraction' (INDEX) of acids from water. Derivatization is performed by alkylation of APAs with alkylbromides in surfactant less microemulsion (SLME). The derivatized analytes were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The developed method involves simultaneous derivatization (alkylation) and extraction of acidic analytes mediated by surfactant less microemulsion. Various derivatization-extraction parameters such as solvent, reaction time and temperature, base and alkyl bromides were optimized. Pentyl bromide in the presence of potassium carbonate and diisopropylamine at 100 degrees C derivatized the selected acids efficiently. Kinetic data for alkylation of methylphosphonic acids and some carboxylic acids were obtained to assess their relative susceptibility for alkylation in microemulsion. Methylphosphonic acid and isopropyl methylphosphonic acid took 140-150 min to reach completion while carboxylic acids took 100 min to complete the reaction. INDEX could be successfully performed even in the presence of interfering Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) ions.     

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.     

Separation and identification of isomeric acidic degradation products of organophosphorus chemical warfare agents by capillary electrophoresis-ion trap mass spectrometry

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) coupled to ion trap mass spectrometry (MS) was evaluated for the separation and identification of chemical warfare agent degradation products (alkylphosphonic acids and alkyl alkylphosphonic acids). Different analytical parameters were optimized in negative ionization mode such as electrolyte composition (15 mM CH(3)COONH(4), pH 8.8), sheath liquid composition (MeOH/H(2)O/NH(3), 75:25:2, v/v/v), nebulization and ion trapping conditions. A standard mixture of five alkylphosphonic (di)acids and five alkyl alkylphosphonic (mono)acids containing isomeric compounds was used in order to evaluate CE selectivity and MS identification capability. The obtained electropherograms revealed that CE selectivity was very limited in the case of alkyl alkylphosphonic acid positional isomers, whereas isomeric isopropylphosphonic and propylphosphonic acids were baseline-separated. CE-MS-MS experiments provided an unambiguous identification of each isomeric co-migrating alkyl alkylphosphonic acids thanks to the presence of specific fragment ions. On the other hand, CE separation was mandatory for the identification of isomeric alkylphosphonic acids, which led to the same fragment ion and could not be differentiated by MS-MS. The developed method was applied to the analysis of soil extracts spiked with the analytes (before or after extraction treatment) and appeared to be very promising since resolution and sensitivity were similar to those observed in deionized water. Especially, analytes were detected and identified in soil extract spiked at 5 microg mL(-1) with each compound before extraction treatment.     

Derivatization of pinacolyl alcohol with phenyldimethylchlorosilane for enhanced detection by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

A derivatization procedure for the qualitative gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of pinacolyl alcohol (PA) that employs phenyldimethylchlorosilane (PhDMClS) and the promoter N-methylimidazole is described. While PA, underivatized, can be detected using conventional gas chromatographic methods, its polarity and low boiling point make its detection in complex matrices challenging. The silylation procedure described herein generates a PA-derivative exhibiting an increased on-column retention time, thus shifting its GC-MS signal away from commonly encountered, volatile, interfering analytes. Derivatized PA could be distinguished from other PhDMClS-derivatized isomeric alcohols by its unique retention time and mass spectrum. The derivatization was demonstrated to perform well in the GC-MS analysis and identification of PA in samples from Proficiency Tests administered by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

p-Tolyl isocyanate derivatization for analysis of CWC-related polar degradation products by mass spectrometry

Most of the precursors and/or degradation products related to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) are polar. Identification of these molecules in environmental samples provides clues regarding the alleged usage and/or synthesis of the parent toxic chemicals. Such polar compounds need to be derivatized in order to analyze them by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). In this study, we developed a new derivatizing reagent, para-tolyl isocyanate (PTI), for derivatization of polar CWC-related compounds. The PTI reagent selectively derivatizes the –OH and/or?SH functional groups with high efficiency, but does not react with carboxylic acid (?COOH) or phosphonic acid (?(O)P(OH)₂) groups. The PTI derivatives of dialkyl aminoethanols, dialkyl aminoethanol-N-oxides, and 3-quinuclidinol were successfully eluted through GC, and their electron ionization (EI) mass spectra were distinct and provided the structure information by which the isomeric compounds can be easily distinguished. We also calculated the GC-retention index values that can be used for further confirmation of the target compounds. All the studied PTI derivatives can be analyzed by EI-MS with direct insertion probe and/or by direct electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) together with the MS–MS data; both sets of data provide full structure information. The PTI reagent was found to be better in some respects than the conventional bistrimethylsilyl trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA), a trimethyl silylating reagent. The PTI reagent is commercially available, and the PTI derivatives are highly stable for months and are not sensitive to moisture. The applicability of the PTI derivatization for trace-level determination of the target CWC-related polar compounds in environmental matrices and in human plasma samples is also evaluated.

Identification of alkylphosphonic acid derivatives by IR and mass spectrometry

An approach is considered to the problem of identification of alkylphosphonic acid derivatives within Chemical Weapons Convention. The technique is based on correlations between the structural fragments of toxic chemicals and their IR and mass spectra.     

Gas chromatography-electron ionization-mass spectrometry analysis of O,O'- dialkyl methylphosphonites for verification analysis of the Chemical Weapons Convention

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of O,O'-dialkyl methylphosphonites (DAMPs) was carried out with a view to developing a database and understanding the mechanism of fragmentation. DAMPs are included in the list of schedule 2B4 chemicals of the Chemical Weapons Convention. GC-MS analysis of DAMPs and their deuterated analogs revealed that their fragmentations were dominated by α-cleavages, alkenyl radical loss and hydrogen rearrangements. Based on fragment ions of deuterated analogs and density functional theory calculations, the fragmentation routes were rationalized.     

烃基磷(膦)酸酯的化学结构及其液相色谱行为

本文研究了各种烷基或芳基磷(膦)酸酯和亚磷(膦)酸酯的化学结构对其在高效液相色谱(HPLC)柱上保留作用的影响. HPLC中容量因子与化合物的类型以及烷基碳原子数有密切关系. 我们讨论了这些化合物的化学结构和它们的容量因子的关系.     

C4-C14-alkyl nitrates as organic trace compounds in air

The long chain alkyl nitrates (C _n >5) form a complex spectrum of natural and anthropogenic organic trace compounds in air. HRGC/ECD and HRGC/MSD using 56 amu as the signal reveal a standard pattern of isomeric n-alkyl nitrates in semi-rural air. This is regulated by the input of the corresponding alkanes, their rate constants for the reaction with OH, the rate constant of the alkylperoxy radicals for the reaction to alkyl nitrates, the atmospheric concentrations of NO/NO₂ and by the rate constants of the alkyl nitrates for the reaction with OH radicals as the major removal reaction. The complex pattern of signals given by the ECD in the retention index range between 700 and 2000 has been observed before but this is the first time that it has been assigned to a defined group of chemical compounds.The environmental impact of the occurrence of the different groups of alkyl nitrates has yet to be evaluated. Their general property as organic stabilizers for NO/NO₂ and therefore as precursors of NO ₃ ^- ions in rain and their biological potentials are also known. The long chain alkyl nitrates act as lipophilic carriers for nitric acid.     

Iminodiaziridines by regio- and stereoselective cyclization of diastereomeric singlet triazatrimethylenemethane diradicals generated through photolysis of 5-imino-4,5-dihydro-1H-tetrazoles

1,4-Dialkyl-5-(N-alkylimino)-4,5-dihydro-1H-tetrazoles were prepared in high yields by deprotonation with sodium hydride of 1,4-dialkyl-5-(N-alkylamino)tetrazolium salts that were adorned with two or three different alkyl groups, including methyl, trideuteriomethyl, and tert-butyl groups. Direct irradiation (lambda > 255 nm) at -60 degrees C yielded molecular nitrogen and mixtures of 1,2-dialkyl-3-(N-alkylimino)diaziridines (83-87%) along with carbodiimides (13-17%) arising by 1,3-dipolar cycloreversion. The missing 1,3-dipoles, alkyl azides, did not survive photolysis. Each member of a pair of isotopomers and of a pair of isomers, and an iminodihydrotetrazole, whose three nitrogens were tagged, yielded a characteristic mixture of three isomeric iminodiaziridines that allowed the mode of formation to be deduced. The results are interpreted in terms of photodenitrogenation of the iminodihydrotetrazoles to furnish diastereomeric singlet triazatrimethylenemethane diradicals that retain the inherited configurations before ring closure to iminodiaziridines, presumably in two steps via mono-orthogonal diradicals.     

Official proficiency tests of the organisation for the prohibition of chemical weapons: current status and future directions

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has been organising and conducting Official Proficiency Tests (PT) since 1996 in accordance with ILAC-G13 to certify laboratories for the analysis of authentic samples under the provision of Chemical Weapons Convention. The tests are part of a mechanism to ensure that there are laboratories that have proven competence in the analysis of chemicals related to the Convention. Laboratories that have successfully completed the tests are designated by the Director General of the OPCW for analysis of authentic samples. To maintain the Designated Laboratory status, a laboratory must take and pass at least one of the two proficiency tests offered per calendar year. Unlike many proficiency tests, the OPCW PT is qualitative, that is the laboratories must determine if any of a very large set (essentially infinite) of chemicals relevant to the Convention are present in the samples. The tests are organised with the assistance of two laboratories, one preparing the test samples, and the other evaluating the test results. The paper provides an overview of the current status of these PTs and outlines salient features regarding procedure and scope of tests, selection of assisting laboratories, scoring and performance rating of participating labs. The emerging issues are also briefly discussed.     

Microsynthesis and gas chromatography/electron ionization mass spectrometric and tandem mass spectrometric analysis of cyclic alkylphosphonates for verification of the Chemical Weapons Convention

We describe the microsynthesis and gas chromatography/mass spectrometric (GC/MS) analysis of cyclic alkylphosphonates (CAPs), which are included in schedule 2B4 chemicals in the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). The reported microsynthesis is efficient in comparison with traditional synthesis. GC/MS and GC/tandem mass spectrometric (MS/MS) analysis of a variety of CAPs revealed that their fragmentations were dominated by alpha-cleavages, alkene eliminations and hydrogen rearrangements. Based on the obtained mass spectra and precursor and product ion analysis of five-, six- and seven-membered cyclic alkylphosphonates, the proposed fragmentation routes rationalize most of the characteristic ions.     

Alkyl chain branching in ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymer

Ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymers contain two kinds of side chains: acetoxy branches originating from incorporated vinyl acetate and alkyl branches. The alkyl branching was determined by infrared analysis after converting the ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymer to a hydrocarbon polymer by three steps: hydrolysis, iodation with hydriodic acid containing red phosphorus, and reductive hydrogenation with lithium aluminum hydride. It was found that physical properties such as stiffness were dependent both on the degree of alkyl chain branching and on vinyl acetate content.