Reduction of cationic free-base <Emphasis Type="Italic">meso</Emphasis>-tris-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-methylpyridinium-4-yl porphyrins in positive mode electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Reductions involving more than one electron with formation of the M⁺ and [M+2H]⁺ ions were observed for electrosprayed meso-tris(N-methylpyridinium-4-yl)porphyrin iodides, MI₃. These reductions were studied by using different solvents and flow rates. Formation of the [M+2H]⁺ ions occurred only for protic solvents and to a larger extent at lower flow rates. The type of the fourth substituent does not seem to affect the reduction processes. Formation of the two reduced species, M⁺ and [M+2H]⁺ ions, may occur through the participation of counter ion/solvent clusters. Reduction of multiply charged, non-metallated species with formation of [M+nH]⁺ ions (n>1) was not observed before in positive mode electrospray mass spectrometry.     

Fast atom bombardment mass spectral study of tetracycline antibiotics

In the fast atom bombardment mass spectra of tetracyclines, ammonia elimination fragment ions, [M + H – NH₃]⁺ and [M + H – NH₃ – H₂O]⁺, appeared with considerable abundances. A plausible mechanism for the loss of ammonia from [M + H]⁺ was discussed based on results by measurements on various types of tetracyclines and benzamides as the model compounds and B/E linked scanning. The results indicated that the loss of ammonia occurred in the carboxyamide moiety in the A ring and was accelerated by an ortho-hydroxy group. The same fragmentations were observed in the electrospray mass spectra of tetracyclines with a skimmer-capillary voltage differential of 150 V.     

Structural characterization of isomeric triazolocoumarins by high- and low-energy collision spectrometry of M+˙, [M + H]+ and [M − H]− species

Two monometayl- and four dimethyl-triazolocoumarin isomers were characterized by their electron impact mass spectra and by low-energy collision experiments performed on molecular ions M⁺˙ and other fragment ions with an ion-trap mass spectrometer. High-energy collision-activated dissociation measurements were performed on the protonated [M + H]⁺ and deprotonated [M ? H]^? molecular ion obtained by fast atom bombardment and M⁺˙ species produced by electron impact ionization on a double-focusing, reverse-geometry instrument. The data obtained allowed unequivocal structural identification of all the compounds investigated.     

Positive electron impact and chemical ionization mass spectra of some nitramine nitrates

The positive electron impact (EI) and isobutane chemical ionization (CI) mass spectra of six nitramine nitrates were studied with the aid of some accurate mass measurements. In the EI spectra, β fission relative to both the nitramine and nitrate ester is important. In the CI spectra a major ion occurs at [MH – 45]⁺ and was found to be mainly due to [M + 2H ? NO₂]⁺. All of the compounds except N-(2 hydroxyethyl)-N-(2′,4′,6′-trinitrophenyl)nitramine nitrate gave an [MH]⁺ ion. The [MH – 45]⁺ ion in the isobutane CI mass spectra of tetryl is also due to [M + 2H ? NO₂]⁺.     

Formation and fragmentation of the [M + Na]+ ion of glycosides in fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry

Positive-ion fast atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectra of flavonol and steroid glycosides with sodium chloride added showed well known characteristic features; of the appearance of [M + Na]⁺ peaks, disappearance of [M + H]⁺ peaks and a significant decrease in the peak heights of fragment ions. Compared with the features in the FAB mass spectra of crown ethers with addition of salt, and above features suggest a complexation between Na⁺ and the glycosides in matrix solution. The B/E-constant linked scanning technique was used to obtain structural information of the [M + Na]⁺ ion of the glycosides. The B/E spectra gave the daughter-ion peaks, suggesting that coordination of Na⁺ with the biosides and triosides occurs at the sugar moiety, whereas the coordination with the monoglycosides occurs at the aglycone moiety, except for monoglycosides in which the aglycone moiety does not contain significant oxygen functional groups such as OH and CO.     

Diastereochemical differentiation of bicyclic diols using metal complexation and collision‐induced dissociation mass spectrometry

Metal complex formation was investigated for di‐exo‐, di‐endo‐ and trans‐2,3‐ and 2,5‐disubstituted trinorbornanediols, and di‐exo‐ and di‐endo‐ 2,3‐disubstituted camphanediols using different divalent transition metals (Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺) and electrospray ionization quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry. Many metal‐coordinated complex ions were formed for cobalt and nickel: [2M+Met]²⁺, [3M+Met]²⁺, [M–H+Met]⁺, [2M–H+Met]⁺, [M+MetX]⁺, [2M+MetX]⁺ and [3M–H+Co]⁺, where M is the diol, Met is the metal used and X is the counter ion (acetate, chloride, nitrate). Copper showed the weakest formation of metal complexes with di‐exo‐2,3‐disubstituted trinorbornanediol yielding only the minor singly charged ions [M–H+Cu]⁺, [2M–H+Cu]⁺ and [2M+CuX]⁺. No clear differences were noted for cobalt complex formation, especially for cis‐2,3‐disubstituted isomers. However, 2,5‐disubstituted trinorbornanediols showed moderate diastereomeric differentiation because of the unidentate nature of the sterically more hindered exo‐isomer. trans‐Isomers gave rise to abundant [3M–H+Co]⁺ ion products, which may be considered a characteristic ion for bicyclo[221]heptane trans‐2,3‐ and trans‐2,5‐diols. To differentiate cis‐2,3‐isomers, the collision‐induced dissociation (CID) products for [3M+Co]²⁺, [M+CoOAc]⁺, [2M–H+Co]⁺ and [2M+CoOAc]⁺ cobalt complexes were investigated. The results of the CID of the monomeric and dimeric metal adduct complexes [M+CoOAc]⁺ and [2M–H+Co]⁺ were stereochemically controlled and could be used for stereochemical differentiation of the compounds investigated. In addition, the structures and relative energies of some complex ions were studied using hybrid density functional theory calculations. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Odd-electron molecular ion and loss of toluene in fast atom bombardment mass spectra of some carotenoids

Positive-ion fast atom bombardment (FAB) and B/E linked scan FAB mass spectra of seven carotenoids are reported. In all cases the M ^+· ions are observed, and the [M + H]⁺ ions are absent in the hydrocarbons and weak in the oxygenated compounds. The usefulness of B/E linked scan FAB mass spectra to distinguish isomers and to attribute the loss of toluene from the M ^+· to an ionic fragmentation and not to a thermal process is discussed.     

Use of a hand-portable gas chromatograph-toroidal ion trap mass spectrometer for self-chemical ionization identification of degradation products related to O-ethyl S-(2-diisopropylaminoethyl) methyl phosphonothiolate (VX)

The chemical warfare agent O-ethyl S-(2-diisopropylaminoethyl) methyl phosphonothiolate (VX) and many related degradation products produce poorly diagnostic electron ionization (EI) mass spectra by transmission quadrupole mass spectrometry. Thus, chemical ionization (CI) is often used for these analytes. In this work, pseudomolecular ([M+H]⁺) ion formation from self-chemical ionization (self-CI) was examined for four VX degradation products containing the diisopropylamine functional group. A person-portable toroidal ion trap mass spectrometer with a gas chromatographic inlet was used with EI, and both fixed-duration and feedback-controlled ionization time. With feedback-controlled ionization, ion cooling (reaction) times and ion formation target values were varied. Evidence for protonation of analytes was observed under all conditions, except for the largest analyte, bis(diisopropylaminoethyl)disulfide which yielded [M+H]⁺ ions only with increased fixed ionization or ion cooling times. Analysis of triethylamine-d₁₅ provided evidence that [M+H]⁺ production was likely due to self-CI. Analysis of a degraded VX sample where lengthened ion storage and feedback-controlled ionization time were used resulted in detection of [M+H]⁺ ions for VX and several relevant degradation products. Dimer ions were also observed for two phosphonate compounds detected in this sample.     

A fast atom bombardment and field ionization/field desorption study of some isomeric unsaturated dicarboxylic acids

Geometrically isomeric dicarboxylic acids, such as maleic and fumaric acid and their methyl homologues, and the isomeric phthalic acids, have been investigated using fast atom bombardment, field ionization and field desorption mass spectrometry. The most intense peak in the positive ion fast atom bombardment spectra corresponds with the [M + H]⁺ ion. This ion, when derived from the E -acids, tragments either by successive loss of water and carbon monoxide or by elimination of carbon dioxide. In the case of the Z -acids only elimination of water from the [M + H]⁺ ions is observed to occur to a significant extent. The same is true for the [M + H]⁺ ions of the isomeric phthalic acids, that is the [M + H] ions derived from iso- and terephthalic acid exhibit more fragmentation than those of phthalic acid. All these acids undergo much less fragmentation upon field ionization, where not only abundant [M + H]⁺ ions, but also abundant [M]^+· ions, are observed. Upon field desorption only the [M + H]⁺ and [M + Na]⁺ ions are observed under the measuring conditions. Negative ion fast atom bombardment spectra of the acids mentioned have also been recorded. In addition to the most abundant [M? H]^? ions relatively intense peaks are observed, which correspond with the [M]^?˙ ions. The fragmentations observed for these ions appear to be quite different from those reported in an earlier electron impact study and in a recent atmospheric pressure ionization investigation.     

Fast atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectrometry of piperidine N-oxide derivatives and free radical quenching under FAB conditions

Mechanisms are proposed for the formation of M⁺, [M + 2H]⁺ and [M + 3H]⁺ ions in the fast atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectra of 4-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-oxyl)-piperidol and its carboxylates. Free radical quenching induced by the fast atom beam has been observed. The effects of temperature on the radical quenching and of acid on the FAB mass spectra are discussed. The experiment showed that the volatile liquid samples with vapour pressures higher than that for glycerol produced M⁺ even-electron molecular ions, and the FAB mass spectra were similar to the corresponding electron ionization mass spectra. For the solid samples, it was found that the free radicals were quenched during the FAB process so that the mononitroxide and dinitroxide compounds produced [M + 2H]⁺ and [M + 3H]⁺ ions, respectively. Further experiments showed that the intensities and stabilities of [M + 2H]⁺ and [M + 3H]⁺ ions could be improved by addition of acids.     

Development of a new electron ionization/field ionization ion source for gas chromatography/time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry

We have developed a combined EI/FI source for gas chromatography/orthogonal acceleration time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (GC/oaTOFMS). In general, EI (electron ionization) and FI (field ionization) mass spectra are complementary: the EI mass spectrum contains information about fragment ions, while the FI mass spectrum contains information about molecular ions. Thus, the comparative study of EI and FI mass spectra is useful for GC/MS analyses. Unlike the conventional ion sources for FI and EI measurements, the newly developed source can be used for both measurements without breaking the ion source vacuum or changing the ion source. Therefore, the combined EI/FI source is more preferable than the conventional EI or FI ion source from the viewpoint of the reliability of measurements and facility of operation. Using the combined EI/FI source, the complementarity between EI and FI mass spectra is demonstrated experimentally with n‐hexadecane (100 pg): characteristic fragment ions for the n‐alkane such as m/z 43, 57, 71, and 85 are obtained in the EI mass spectrum, while only the parent peak of m/z 226 (M⁺) without any fragment ions is observed in the FI mass spectrum. Moreover, the field desorption (FD) measurement is also demonstrated with poly(ethylene glycol)s M600 (10 ng) and M1000 (15 ng). Signals of [M+H]⁺, [M+Na]⁺ and [M+K]⁺ are clearly detected in the FD mass spectra. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Stereochemical applications of mass spectrometry: 1—The utility of electron impact and chemical ionization mass spectrometry in the differentiation of stereoisomeric benzoin oximes and phenylhydrazones

A study of the electron impact and chemical ionization (H₂, CH₄, and iso-C₄H₁₀) mass spectra of stereoisomeric benzoin oximes and phenylhydrazones indicates that while the former can be distinguished only by their chemical ionization mass spectra the latter are readily distinguishable by both their electron impact and chemical ionization mass spectra. The electron impact mass spectra of the isomeric oximes are practically identical; however, the chemical ionization spectra show that the E isomer forms more stable [MH]⁺ and [MH? H₂O]⁺ ions than the Z isomer for which both the [MH]⁺ and [MH? H₂O]⁺ ions are relatively unstable. In electron impact the Z-phenylhydrazone shows a lower [M]⁺˙ ion abundance and more facile loss of H₂O than does the E isomer. This more facile H₂O loss also is observed for the [MH]⁺ ion of the Z isomer under chemical ionization conditions.     

Evaluation of nitric oxide chemical ionization mass spectra of substituted benzenes

Nitric oxide chemical ionization mass spectra of substituted benzenes obtained with the Townsend discharge technique were studied. There were four kinds of base peaks in the mass spectra, i.e. [M + NO]⁺˙, M⁺˙, [M ? H]⁺ and [M ? OR]⁺ (R = H, CH₃). The formation of the specific ion [M + NO]⁺˙ was highly dependent on the kind of substituent, and it was produced more abundantly in the case of substitutions involving electron-accepting groups. The measure of [M + NO]⁺˙ production was evaluated from the value of the ratio [M + NO]⁺˙/M⁺˙. In mono-substitutions, it was clarified that the ratios of [M + NO]⁺˙/M ⁺˙ were correlated with the Hammett substituent constant s?_p or the electrophilic substituent constant s?_p⁺. Monosubstitutions (C₆H₅R) and toluene substitutions (CH₃C₆H₄R) could be classified into six groups in terms of base peak species, [M + NO]⁺˙/M⁺˙ ratios and substituents. In disubstitutions, the mass spectral patterns were governed by the combination of substituents. Mass spectral distinctions among ortho, meta and para isomers could be made in many cases.     

Characteristic features of mass-spectra of some nitroxide radicals

Some compounds containing mono- and polynitroxide radicals have been investigated and characterized by electron ionization (EI), chemical ionization (CI), and matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry. Some characteristics of the mass spectra of these radicals are demonstrated. It was found that, under CI and MALDI conditions, ions [M+nH]⁺ are formed along with monoprotonated molecules [M+H]⁺, depending on the type of the radical n = 2–5.     

Selective reagents in chemical ionization mass spectrometry: Tetramethylsilane with ethers

Chemical ionization mass spectra of several ethers obtained with He/(CH₃)₄Si mixtures as the reagent gases contain abundant [M + 73]⁺ adduct ions which identify the relative molecular mass. For the di-n-alkyl ethers, these [M + 73]⁺ ions are formed by sample ion/sample molecule reactions of the fragment ions, [M + 73 ? C_nH_2n]⁺ and [M + 73 ? 2CnH_2n]⁺. Small amounts of [M + H]⁺ ions are also formed, predominantly by proton transfer reactions of the [M + 73 ? 2CnH_2n]⁺ or [(CH₃)₃SiOH₂]⁺ ions with the ethers. The di-s-alkyl ethers give no [M + 73] ⁺ ions, but do give [M + H]⁺ ions, which allow the determination of the relative molecular mass. These [M + H]⁺ ions result primarily from proton transfer reactions from the dominant fragment ion, [(CH₃)₃SiOH₂]⁺ with the ether. Methyl phenyl ether gives only [M + 73]⁺ adduct ions, by a bimolecular addition of the trimethylsilyl ion to the ether, not by the two-step process found for the di-n-alkyl ethers. Ethyl phenyl ether gives [M + 73]⁺ by both the two-step process and the bimolecular addition. Although the mass spectra of the alkyl etherr are temperature-dependent, the sensitivities of the di-alkyl ethers and ethyl phenyl ether are independent of temperature. However, the sensitivity for methyl phenyl ether decreases significantly with increasing temperature.     

Direct analysis of Salvia divinorum leaves for salvinorin A by thin layer chromatography and desorption electrospray ionization multi‐stage tandem mass spectrometry

Salvia divinorum is widely cultivated in the US, Mexico, Central and South America and Europe and is consumed for its ability to produce hallucinogenic effects similar to those of other scheduled hallucinogenic drugs, such as LSD. Salvinorin A (SA), a kappa opiod receptor agonist and psychoactive constituent, is found primarily in the leaves and to a lesser extent in the stems of the plant. Herein, the analysis of intact S. divinorum leaves for SA and of acetone extracts separated using thin layer chromatography (TLC) is demonstrated using desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) mass spectrometry. The detection of SA using DESI in the positive ion mode is characterized by several ions associated with the compound – [M+H]⁺, [M+NH₄]⁺, [M+Na]⁺, [2M+NH₄]⁺, and [2M+Na]⁺. Confirmation of the identity of these ions is provided through exact mass measurements using a time‐of‐flight (ToF) mass spectrometer. The presence of SA in the leaves was confirmed by multi‐stage tandem mass spectrometry (MSⁿ) of the [M+H]⁺ ion using a linear ion trap mass spectrometer. Direct analysis of the leaves revealed several species of salvinorin in addition to SA as confirmed by MSⁿ, including salvinorin B, C, D/E, and divinatorin B. Further, the results from DESI imaging of a TLC separation of a commercial leaf extract and an acetone extract of S. divinorum leaves were in concordance with the TLC/DESI‐MS results of an authentic salvinorin A standard. The present study provides an example of both the direct analysis of intact plant materials for screening illicit substances and the coupling of TLC and DESI‐MS as a simple method for the examination of natural products. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Functional group-selective ion-molecule reactions of ethylene glycol and its monomethyl and dimethyl ethers

The selective methylation and methylene substitution reactions of dimethyl ether ions with ethylene glycol, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, and ethylene glycol dimethyl ether were investigated in a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer. Whereas the reactions of ethylene glycol and ethylene glycol monomethyl ether with the methoxymethylene cation 45⁺ gave only [M + 13]⁺ product ions, the reaction of ethylene glycol dimethyl ether with the same reagent ion yielded exclusively [M + 15]⁺ ions. The relative rates of formation of these products and those from competing reactions were examined and rationalized on the basis of structural and electronic considerations. The heats of formation for various relevant species were estimated by computational methods and showed that the reactions leading to the [M + 13]⁺ ions were more energetically favorable than those leading to the [M + 15]⁺ products for cases in which both reactions are possible. Finally, the collision-induced dissociation behavior of the [M + H]⁺, [M + 13]⁺, and [M + 15]⁺ ions indicated that the and [M + H]⁺ rons dissociated by analogous pathways and were thus structurally similar, whereas the [M + 13]⁺ ions possessed distinctly different structural characteristics.     

Intrinsic acidity and basicity of neutral and ionic species of some polyether-ester compounds as shown by mass spectrometry

The mass spectrometric behaviour of benzo-[o]-1,4,7,10,13-pentaoxacycloheptadecane-14,17-dione (1), 3,6,9,12,15-pentaoxabicyclo[15.3.1]heneicosa-1(21),17,19-triene-2,16-dione (2) and 1,15-dioxo-2,5,8,11,14-pentaoxa[15](1,4)benzenophane (3) has been studied in detail with the aid of linked scans, mass-analysed ion kinetic energy spectra, collisionally activated decomposition experiments, exact mass measurements and different ionization techniques (electron impact, positive and negative ion chemical ionization, charge exchange, electron attachment). The very low abundance of molecular ions and the presence of abundant [M + H]⁺ and [M – H]⁺ ions under electron impact conditions indicate the presence of acidic and basic sites in the molecular ions and neutral molecules, respectively.     

Mass spectra of sulfinamide derivatives and identification of their thermal decomposition products

The mass spectra of 30 sulfinamide derivatives (RSONHR', R' alkyl or p-XC₆H₄) are reported. Most of the spectra had peaks attributable to thermal decomposition products. For some compounds these were identified by pyrolysis under similar conditions to be: RSO₂NHR', RSO₂SR, RSSR and NH₂R' (in all kinds of sulfinyl amides); RSNHR' (in the case of arylsulfinyl arylamides); RSO₂C₆H₄NH₂, RSOC₆H₄NH₂ and RSC₆H₄NH₂ (in the case of arylsulfinyl arylamides of the type of X = H) The mass spectra of the three thermally stable compounds showed that there are several kinds of common fragment ions. The mass spectra of the thermally labile compounds had two groups of ions; (i) characteristic fragment ions of the intact molecules and (ii) the molecular ions of the thermal decomposition products. It was concluded that the sulfinamides give the following ions after electron impact: [M]⁺, [M ? R]⁺, [M ? R + H]⁺, [M ? SO]⁺, [RS]⁺, [NHR']⁺, [NHR' + H]⁺, [RSO]⁺, [RSO + H]⁺, [R]⁺, [R + H]⁺, [R']⁺ and [M ? OH]⁺, and that the thermal decomposition products give the following ions: [RSO₂SR]⁺, [RSSR]⁺, [M ? O]⁺, [M + O]⁺ and [RSOC₆H₄NH₂]⁺.     

Repeller-Induced dissociation of alkyl alcohols in thermospray mass spectrometry

Six alkyl alcohols were studied using thermospray mass Spectrometry. Whereas the dominant ion in the spectrum up to a repeller potential of 120 V was [M + NH₄]⁺, above that potential [M + H]⁺ and fragment ions appeared. The fragments observed were largely due to hydrogen release from alkyl ions ([C_nH_2n+1]⁺ – H2 → [C_nH_2n-1]⁺) and loss of water or some other stable molecule from the same species. The results are compared with those from ionization of the same alcohols under electron impact and photoionization conditions and with results obtained for methanol under thermospray conditions.