Photoionisation and fragmentation of the stereoisomers of 4-t-butylcyclohexyl acetate and 4-t-butylcyclohexyl methyl ether

The fragmentation of the stereoisomers of 4-t-butylcyclohexyl acetate and 4-t-butylcyclohexyl methyl ether has been studied by photoionisation mass spectrometry at 1216 Å and 584 Å. Deuterium substitution and high resolution mass spectrometry have been used to gain further insight into the fragmentation pathways.     

Mass spectral and pyrolysis/gas-chromatographic studies of the monomer and polymer of bis(p-toluenesulfonate) of 2,4-hexadiyne-1,6-diol

The thermal degradation of the monomer and polymer of bis(p-toluenesulfonate) of 2,4-hexadiyne-1,6-diol has been investigated. Decomposition during the latter stages of solid-state thermal polymerization at 80°C and of 100% polymer at 112°C was observed by mass spectrometry and the decomposition fragments identified. Mechanisms for this low-temperature degradation are suggested. Pyrolysis of the monomer and polymer between 400 and 1000°C was studied by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The principal pyrolysis products are triacetylene and p-toluenesulfonic acid. The fragmentation routes leading to and derived from these products are discussed.     

Identification of isobaric product ions in electrospray ionization mass spectra of fentanyl using multistage mass spectrometry and deuterium labeling

Isobaric product ions cannot be differentiated by exact mass determinations, although in some cases deuterium labeling can provide useful structural information for identifying isobaric ions. Proposed fragmentation pathways of fentanyl were investigated by electrospray ionization ion trap mass spectrometry coupled with deuterium labeling experiments and spectra of regiospecific deuterium labeled analogs. The major product ion of fentanyl under tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) conditions (m/z 188) was accounted for by a neutral loss of N‐phenylpropanamide. 1‐(2‐Phenylethyl)‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (1) was proposed as the structure of the product ion. However, further fragmentation (MS³) of the fentanyl m/z 188 ion gave product ions that were different from the product ion in the MS/MS fragmentation of synthesized 1, suggesting that the m/z 188 product ion from fentanyl includes an isobaric structure different from the structure of 1. MS/MS fragmentation of fentanyl in deuterium oxide moved one of the isobars to 1 Da higher mass, and left the other isobar unchanged in mass. Multistage mass spectral data from deuterium‐labeled proposed isobaric structures provided support for two fragmentation pathways. The results illustrate the utility of multistage mass spectrometry and deuterium labeling in structural assignment of isobaric product ions. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preparation,thermal decomposition,and crystal structure of Zn(II) 2-chlorobenzoate complex with nicotinamide

A new Zn(II) 2-chlorobenzoate complex, [Zn(2-ClC₆H₄COO)₂(nad)₂] (nad = nicotinamide), was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, thermal analysis, and X-ray structure determination. The mechanism of thermal decomposition of the complex was studied by TG/DTG, DTA, IR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. The thermal decomposition is characterized as a two-step process. Zinc oxide was found as the final product of the thermal decomposition performed up to 900°C. Mass spectrometry was used to determine the volatiles released during thermal decomposition. The IR spectrum indicates that carboxylate is coordinated to zinc in monodentate coordination. [Zn(2-ClC₆H₄COO)₂(nad)₂] crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group Pn, a = 10.376(2) Å, b = 10.100(1) Å, c = 12.604(1) Å, β = 100.79(1)°. The zinc is tetrahedrally coordinated by two nitrogens of nicotinamide and two oxygens of 2-chlorobenzoate.     

Quantum chemical mass spectrometry: ab initio prediction of electron ionization mass spectra and identification of new fragmentation pathways

The electron ionization mass spectra of four organic compounds are predicted based on the results of quantum chemical calculations at the DFT/B3LYP/6‐311 + G* level of theory. This prediction is performed ‘ab initio’, i.e. without any prior knowledge of the thermodynamics or kinetics of the reactions under consideration. Using a set of rules determining which routes will be followed, the fragmentation of the molecules' bonds and the complete resulting fragmentation pathways are studied. The most likely fragmentation pathways are identified based on calculated reaction energies ΔE when bond cleavage is considered and on activation energies ΔE^? when rearrangements are taken into account; the final intensities of the peaks in the spectrum are estimated from these values. The main features observed in the experimental mass spectra are correctly predicted, as well as a number of minor peaks. In addition, the results of the calculations allow us to propose fragmentation pathways new to empirical mass spectrometry, which have been experimentally verified using tandem mass spectrometry measurements. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Gas‐phase fragmentation of protonated piplartine and its fungal metabolites using tandem mass spectrometry and computational chemistry

Piplartine, an alkaloid produced by plants in the genus Piper , displays promising anticancer activity. Understanding the gas‐phase fragmentation of piplartine by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry can be a useful tool to characterize biotransformed compounds produced by in vitro and in vivo metabolism studies. As part of our efforts to understand natural product fragmentation in electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry, the gas‐phase fragmentation of piplartine and its two metabolites 3,4‐dihydropiplartine and 8,9‐dihydropiplartine, produced by the endophytic fungus Penicillium crustosum VR4 biotransformation, were systematically investigated. Proposed fragmentation reactions were supported by ESI‐MS/MS data and computational thermochemistry. Cleavage of the C‐7 and N‐amide bond, followed by the formation of an acylium ion, were characteristic fragmentation reactions of piplartine and its analogs. The production of the acylium ion was followed by three consecutive and competitive reactions that involved methyl and methoxyl radical eliminations and neutral CO elimination, followed by the formation of a four‐member ring with a stabilized tertiary carbocation. The absence of a double bond between carbons C‐8 and C‐9 in 8,9‐dihydropiplartine destabilized the acylium ion and resulted in a fragmentation pathway not observed for piplartine and 3,4‐dihydropiplartine. These results contribute to the further understanding of alkaloid gas‐phase fragmentation and the future identification of piplartine metabolites and analogs using tandem mass spectrometry techniques. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Self‐Assembly of Non‐Biological Polymeric Strands Undergoing Enforced Helical Self‐Organization

The polycondensation of a dihydrazino‐pyrimidine ( 5 and 6 ) with a pyrimidine‐dicarbaldehyde ( 7 and 8b ) provides an efficent access to helical polymeric strands based on the formation of hydrazone connections between the pyrimidine groups. The folding into a helical structure is enforced by the helicity codon defined by the (hydrazone? pyrimidine) sequence. The polymers obtained have been characterized by mass spectrometry, indicating molecular weights up to ca. 12000 Da. Electronic spectra display specific absorption and emission features. These helical polymers present a core diameter of ca. 20 Å, a pitch of 3.5 Å, and, for a molecular weight around 9000 Da, a height of ca. 42 Å with 12 turns. The self‐assembled helical polymers obtained represent stable frameworks for the lateral attachment of functional residues in a helical disposition. Such entities may possess a range of novel chemical as well as biological properties.     

Stereochemical effects in fragmentation of diastereoisomers of protected diethyl 1,2‐diamino‐alkylphosphonates

Diastereoisomers of diethyl 5‐substituted (2‐thioxo‐imidazolidin‐4‐yl)phosphonates, which can be regarded as protected diethyl 1,2‐diaminoalkylphosphonates, have been analyzed by electron ionization mass spectrometry. Significant differences in the fragmentation of cis‐ and trans‐diastereoisomers were found. The stereospecificity of the elimination of diethyl phosphonate and the loss of the diethoxyphosphoryl group were studied using specific labeled compounds and collision‐induced dissociation. The relative abundances of ions formed via these fragmentation processes can be used for differentiation of both diastereoisomers. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mutagenic heterocyclic nitrogen compounds related to protein pyrolysates. V. Electron impact fragmentation of L-glutamic acid and related dipyrido[1,2-a:3′,2′-d]imidazoles

Six dipyrido[1,2-a:3′,2′d]imidazole derivatives related to glutamic acid pyrolysates have been studied by mass spectrometry. The data indicate that there are certain ions which are characteristic of the fragmentation of this family of compounds under electron impact. These compounds should thus be amenable to analysis if they were produced during the combustion of foods. In addition, electronolysis of L-glutamic acid was also studied: the fragmentation pattern of the latter has shown the formation of some known dipyridoimidazoles for temperatures higher than 100°. Similarities between pyrolysis and electronolysis of this acid are discussed.     

Fragmentation of deprotonated cyclic dipeptides by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

The fragmentation pathways of deprotonated cyclic dipeptides have been studied by electrospray ionization multi‐stage mass spectrometry (ESI‐MSⁿ) in negative mode. The results showed that the fragmentation pathways of deprotonated cyclic dipeptides depended significantly on the different substituents, the side chains of amino acid residues at the diketopiperazine ring. In the spectra of deprotonated cyclic dipeptides, the ion [M? H? substituent radical]^? was firstly observed in the ESI mode. The characteristic fragment ions [M? H? substituent radical]^? and [M? H? (substituent? H)]^? could be used as the symbols of particular cyclic dipeptides. The hydrogen/deuterium (H/D) exchange experiment, the high‐resolution mass spectrometry (Q‐TOF) and theoretical calculations were used to rationalize the proposed fragmentation pathways and to verify the differences between the fragmentation pathways. The relative Gibbs free energies (ΔG) of the product ions and possible fragmentation pathways were estimated using the B3LYP/6–31++G(d, p) model. The results have some potential applications in the structural elucidation and interpretation of the mass spectra of homologous compounds and will enrich the gas‐phase ESI‐MS ion chemistry of cyclic dipeptides. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Complexes of a New N3S2 Macrocycle: Synthesis,Structure and Electrospray Mass Spectrometry

The silver(I) complex of a 15-membered macrocyclic ligand with an N₃S₂ donor set (L¹) has been prepared by the reaction of 2,6-diacetylpyridine with 1,8-diamino-3,6-dithiaoctane in the presence of silver(I) ions. A reduced form (L²) of the ligand, in which the imine groups are converted to amines, was prepared by the reduction of the silver(I) complex by sodium borohydride. The ligand L² has been characterised by various spectroscopic techniques and the copper(II) complex has been prepared. The metal complexes of L¹ and L² have been characterised by electrospray mass spectrometry and UV-visible spectroscopy. The copper(II) complex of L¹ has been synthesised from [AgL¹]⁺ via metal exchange. [CuL¹](ClO₄)₂ crystallises in the orthorhombic space group Pna2₁ with a = 14.374(5) Å, b = 12.947(3) Å, c = 11.824(3) Å with Z= 4. The geometry about the metal centre approximates trigonal bipyramidal with the pyridinyl nitrogen and the sulfur donors in the equatorial positions and the imine nitrogen donors in the axial positions. Metal ion exchange and the relative stabilities of metal complexes of the macrocyclic ligands were studied by electrospray mass spectrometry.     

Discrimination of diastereoisomers by electron ionization mass spectrometry in the 1,3‐dioxane series

Important differences in the electron ionization (EI) mass spectra of cis,cis and trans,trans isomers of some 2(r)‐R‐2,4(R),6(S)‐trimethyl‐1,3‐dioxanes are recorded and the significant preference for the fragmentation with the cleavage of the axial substituents at C(2) position is revealed. The fragmentation pattern is elucidated by high‐resolution mass measurements, metastable ion spectra and linked‐scan mass spectrometry. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Understanding the Fragmentation Pathways of Carbocyclic Derivatives of Amino Acids by Using Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Aminoacyl derivatives of aminoadamantanes amantadine and rimantadine have been investigated in regard to their antiviral properties. So far, few studies on the mass spectrometric fragmentation pathway of these compounds have been reported using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). Two major fragmentation pathways have been observed. For the rimantadine derivatives, losses of rimantadine and N-(1-adamantyl) ethylformamide were described. Similarly, in case of amantadine derivatives, there were losses of amantadine and N-(1-adamantyl) formamide. The loss of the aminoacyl group was common to all of the studied compounds. Understanding the fragmentation mechanism can bring new insight into the characterization of these compounds.     

Comparison of CID versus ETD based MS/MS fragmentation for the analysis of protein ubiquitination

Ubiquitination has emerged as one of the major post-translational modifications that decide on protein fate, targeting, and regulation of protein function. Whereas the ubiquitination of proteins can be monitored with classic biochemical methods, the mapping of modified side chains proves to be challenging. More recently, mass spectrometry has been applied to identify ubiquitinated proteins and also their sites of modification. Typically, liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) based approaches, including collision-induced fragmentation (CID), have been successfully used in the past. However, a potential difficulty arises from the unstable nature of this modification, and also that the isopeptide bond linkage between C-terminal glycine and the N(ε) lysyl side chain is susceptible to fragmentation under these conditions. Here we investigate the utility of electron-transfer dissociation (ETD)-based fragmentation to detect ubiquitination sites in proteins. Our results indicate that ETD can provide alternative fragmentation patterns that allow detection of gly-gly-modified lysyl side chains, in particular z+1 fragment ions derived from triply charged precursor ions. We subsequently applied ETD fragmentation-based analysis and detected novel ubiquitination sites on DNA polymerase B1 that were not easily observed using CID. We conclude that ETD can provide significant alternative fragmentation information that complements CID-derived data to improve the coverage when mapping ubiquitination sites in proteins.     

Mass spectrometry in structural and stereochemical problems. Part CLIII. Electron impact-promoted fragmentation of n-alkyl cyanides

In spite of previous extensive studies on the mass spectrometry of alkyl cyanides, no good mechanistic insight has as yet been gained into the behavior of straight chain alky1 cyanides. For this reason the possible origins for the principal ions in the mass spectrum of a typical alkyl cyanide (n-hexyl cyanide) have been determined using high resolution mass spectrometry anddeuterium labeling of every carbon atom. The results lead to the conclusion that most of the typical fragmentation processes of n-alkyl cyanides proceed through cyclic intermediates.     

The investigation of substituent effects on the fragmentation pathways of pentacoordinated phenoxyspirophosphoranes by ESI‐MSn

The fragmentation pathways of pentacoordinated phenoxyspirophosphoranes were investigated in the positive mode by electrospray ionization multistage mass spectrometry. The results demonstrate that the sodium adducts of the title compounds undergo two competitive fragmentation pathways, and the fragmentation patterns are heavily dependent on the various substituent patterns at the phenolic group. An electron‐withdrawing substituent at the ortho‐position always results in the removal of a corresponding phenol analogue, while cleavage by spiroring opening becomes the predominant fragmentation pathway if an electron‐donating substituent is at the phenolic group. The substituent effects on the competitive fragmentation pathways were further elucidated by theoretical calculations, single crystal structure analysis, and high‐resolution mass spectrometry. The results contribute to the understanding of the gas‐phase fragmentation reactions and the structure identification of spirophosphorane analogues by electrospray ionization multistage mass spectrometry.     

GC‐MS of amaryllidaceous galanthamine‐type alkaloids

Galanthamine‐type alkaloids produced by plants of the Amaryllidaceae family are potent acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. One of them, galanthamine, has been marketed as a hydrobromide salt for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. In the present work, gas chromatography with electron impact mass spectrometry (GC‐EIMS) fragmentation of 12 reference compounds isolated from various amaryllidaceous plants and identified by spectroscopic methods (1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance, circular dichroism, high‐resolution MS (HRMS) and EIMS) was studied by tandem mass spectrometry (GC‐MS/MS) and accurate mass measurements (GC‐HRMS). The studied compounds showed good peak shape and efficient GC separation with a GC‐MS fragmentation pattern similar to that obtained by direct insertion probe. With the exception of galanthamine‐N‐oxide and N‐formylnorgalanthamine, the galanthamine‐type compounds showed abundant [M]^+. and [M‐H]⁺ ions. A typical fragmentation pattern was also observed, depending on the substituents of the skeleton. Based on the fragmentation pathways of reference compounds, three other galanthamine‐type alkaloids, including 3‐O‐(2′‐butenoyl)sanguinine, which possesses a previously unelucidated structure, were identified in Leucojum aestivum ssp. pulchelum, a species endemic to the Balearic islands. GC‐MS can be successfully applied to Amaryllidaceae plant samples in the routine screening for potentially new or known bioactive molecules, chemotaxonomy, biodiversity and identification of impurities in pharmaceutical substances. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Rapid separation and identification of furocoumarins in Angelica dahurica by high‐performance liquid chromatography with diode‐array detection,time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry and quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry

High‐performance liquid chromatography with diode‐array detection (HPLC/DAD), time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (HPLC/TOFMS) and quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry (HPLC/QITMS) were used for separation, identification and structural analysis of furocoumarins in Angelica dahurica. Two furocoumarins (imperatorin and isoimperatorin) in Angelica dahurica extract were identified unambiguously by comparing their relative retention times, characteristic ultraviolet information and accurate mass measurement. A formula database of known furocoumarins in Angelica dahurica was established, against which the other 21 furocoumarins were identified effectively based on the accurate extract masses and formulae acquired by HPLC/TOFMS. In order to distinguish the isomers, multi‐stage mass spectrometry (MSⁿ, ion trap mass spectrometry) was used. General fragmentation behavior of the furocoumarins in the ion trap mass spectrometer was studied by the two furocoumarin standards, and their fragmentation rules in MSⁿ spectra were summarized. These deduced fragmentation rules of furocoumarins were successfully implemented in distinguishing the three groups of isomers in Angelica dahurica by HPLC/QITMS. By using the three different analytical techniques, 23 furocoumarins in Angelica dahurica were tentatively identified within 30 min. Finally, HPLC/TOFMS fingerprints of Angelica dahurica were established by which it can be concluded that a rapid and effective method based on the three analytical techniques for identification of chemical components was established. This can provide help for further quality control of Angelica dahurica and pharmacology mechanism study of furocoumarins in Angelica dahurica. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Beitrag zur Massenspektrometrie substituierter α, ω-Alkandiamine. 29. Mitteilung über massenspektrometrische Untersuchungen

Contribution to the mass spectrometry of substituted α,ω-alkane diamines The main mass spectral fragmentation pattern of compounds of types 1 to 4 is discussed. After loss of C₆H₅ · CH₂ · from the molecular ion the acid correspondin to the N,N-disubstituted residue is splitted off. The mechanism of this fragmentation reaction depends on the member of CH₂-groups between the two nitrogen atoms (Schemes 1 and 3) and on the substitution pattern of both nitrogens (Scheme 2).     

Determination of triclosan metabolites by using in‐source fragmentation from high‐performance liquid chromatography/negative atmospheric pressure chemical ionization ion trap mass spectrometry

Triclosan is a widely used broad‐spectrum antibacterial agent that acts by specifically inhibiting enoyl–acyl carrier protein reductase. An in vitro metabolic study of triclosan was performed by using Sprague‐Dawley (SD) rat liver S9 and microsome, while the in vivo metabolism was investigated on SD rats. Twelve metabolites were identified by using in‐source fragmentation from high‐performance liquid chromatography/negative atmospheric pressure chemical ionization ion trap mass spectrometry (HPLC/APCI‐ITMS) analysis. Compared to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) that gave little fragmentation for triclosan and its metabolites, the in‐source fragmentation under APCI provided intensive fragmentations for the structural identifications. The in vitro metabolic rate of triclosan was quantitatively determined by using HPLC/ESI‐ITMS with the monitoring of the selected triclosan molecular ion. The metabolism results indicated that glucuronidation and sulfonation were the major pathways of phase II metabolism and the hydroxylated products were the major phase I metabolites. Moreover, glucose, mercapturic acid and cysteine conjugates of triclosan were also observed in the urine samples of rats orally administrated with triclosan. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.