The Influence of Stereochemical Structure on the Kinetics and Mechanism of Ester-Ester Exchange Reactions by Mass Spectrometry. II

Exter-ester exchange reactions in polyesters, formulated from adipic acid and various linear and branched glycols, were studied by mass spectrometry employing the Dimer Analysis Method (DAM). Activation energies (E) and frequency factors (A) were obtained for the reaction systems at temperatures of 572–585 K. The kinetic behavior of these reactions was influenced by the stereochemical structures of carbonyl oxygens along the polymer chain backbone. Syndiotactic/syndiotactic systems reacted slower than syndiotactic/heterotactic and heterotactic/heterotactic systems, respectively. Correlation of frequency factors (A) and stereochemical structures showed an alternating trend in kinetic behavior. An “associative reaction mechanism” was postulated since it satisfied the energetic and geometric requirements necessary for the simultaneous making and breaking of alkoxide bonds, and also gives a good fit to the kinetic expression derived for an opposing bimolecular reaction.     

Trends in Kinetic Behavior during Ester-Ester Exchange Reactions in Polyesters by Mass Spectrometry. I

The kinetics of the ester-ester exchange reaction between polyesters from adipic acid and various linear and branched glycols were investigated by mass spectometry using the dimer analysis method (DAM). Rate constants, activation energies, and frequency factors are given for reactions studied in the temperature range of 572–585 K. Correlation of glycol methylene ratios with activation energies and frequency factors shows an alternating trend in kinetic behavior. Reaction systems containing even numbers of methylene groups in the glycol moiety of the reactants exhibited slower reaction rates than systems with odd numbers of methylene groups, while branched reaction systems followed very similar trends when the influence of pendant groups is ignored.     

Ester-Ester Exchange Reactions of Aliphatic Polyesters

The kinetics of ester-ester exchange reactions of poly(ethylene adipate) and poly(trimethylene adipate) at 312°C and in the absence of a solvent and catalysts has been reported previously. Independent investigations of the thermal degradation reactions of these polyesters under high vacuum have shown that pyrolysis already starts above 270°C. An ester-ester exchange mechanism via a reversible thermal degradation reaction is proposed.     

气相自由基反应动力学的光电离质谱研究

气相自由基能与各种气体发生快速反应,在大气化学、燃烧化学和星际化学等重要的化学过程中起着关键性的催化作用。许多实验方法(例如荧光法和吸收法)已经用于研究气相自由基反应动力学过程,并取得许多重要的成果,但这些技术局限于探测小分子自由基反应。流动管反应器和闪光光解结合光电离质谱的实验技术以其通用性、多重探测性、选择性和灵敏性等多种优势,成为研究气相自由基反应的主要实验方法。本文介绍利用高通量、高分辨、连续可调的同步辐射光电离质谱开展多种自由基反应研究所取得的一些独创性的成果。另外,该技术具有独有的时间分辨、能量分辨和异构体分辨的能力,能够广泛用于大气化学、燃烧化学和星际化学中一些重要的气相自由基(如烷氧自由基、烃类自由基等)反应宏观动力学过程的研究。     

基于质谱的六硝基六氮杂异伍兹烷热分解动力学

采用低能电子轰击质谱研究了六硝基六氮杂异伍兹烷(HNIW)的裂解过程, 建立了质谱中离子强度曲线的非等温动力学处理方法, 根据产物离子的Arrhenius曲线解释了HNIW热分解的机理. 结果表明, HNIW质谱裂解的表观活化能为145.1 kJ·mol-1. 在130-150 ℃范围内, HNIW质谱的离子产物主要是电子轰击产生的, 其活化能在28-41 kJ·mol-1之间; 在213-228 ℃范围内, 离子主要是热分解产生的, 其活化能在143-179 kJ·mol-1之间. HNIW在213-228 ℃的热分解动力学参数存在良好的动力学补偿效应, 补偿效应公式为lnA=0.252Ea-0.645. HNIW 热分解的主要反应为HNIW.438→6NO2+2HCN+HNIW.108, HNIW.438→6NO2+3HCN+HNIW.81, HNIW.438→6NO2+4HCN+HNIW.54.     

Organic Reactions in Microdroplets: Reaction Acceleration Revealed by Mass Spectrometry

The striking finding that reaction acceleration occurs in confined‐volume solutions sets up an apparent conundrum: Microdroplets formed by spray ionization can be used to monitor the course of bulk‐phase reactions and also to accelerate reactions between the reagents in such a reaction. This Minireview introduces droplet and thin‐film acceleration phenomena and summarizes recent methods applied to study accelerated reactions in confined‐volume, high‐surface‐area solutions. Conditions that dictate either simple monitoring or acceleration are reconciled in the occurrence of discontinuous and complete desolvation as the endpoint of droplet evolution. The contrasting features of microdroplet and bulk‐solution reactions are described together with possible mechanisms that drive reaction acceleration in microdroplets. Current applications of droplet microreactors are noted as is reaction acceleration in confined volumes and possible future scale‐up.     

Picogram Detection of Sulfur Hexafluoride by High Pressure Charge Exchange Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

Since air quality in industrial atmospheres is important for personal comfort and safety, tracer experiments using sulfur hexa-fluoride (SF₆) are commonly used to monitor air distributions and flow patterns.

This method involves the determination of SF₆ by high pressure charge exchange mass spectrometry at levels as low as 3 × 10^?12 grams. It employs specific ion detection in combination with gas chromatography to insure a high degree of specificity.     

Real-time HD Exchange Kinetics of Proteins from Buffered Aqueous Solution with Electrothermal Supercharging and Top-Down Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Electrothermal supercharging (ETS) with electrospray ionization produces highly charged protein ions from buffered aqueous solutions in which proteins have native folded structures. ETS increases the charge of ribonuclease A by 34%, whereas only a 6% increase in charge occurs for a reduced-alkylated form of this protein, which is unfolded and its structure is ~66% random coil in this solution. These results indicate that protein denaturation that occurs in the ESI droplets is the primary mechanism for ETS. ETS does not affect the extent of solution-phase hydrogen-deuterium exchange (HDX) that occurs for four proteins that have significantly different structures in solution, consistent with a droplet lifetime that is considerably shorter than observable rates of HDX. Rate constants for HDX of ubiquitin are obtained with a spatial resolution of ~1.3 residues with ETS and electron transfer dissociation of the 10+ charge-state using a single capillary containing a few μL of protein solution in which HDX continuously occurs. HDX protection at individual residues with ETS HDX is similar to that with reagent supercharging HDX and with solution-phase NMR, indicating that the high spray potentials required to induce ETS do not lead to HD scrambling.

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Recent Advances in Real-Time Analysis of Electrochemical Reactions by Electrochemical Mass Spectrometry†

Electrochemical mass spectrometry (EC-MS) is a powerful tool to capture and analyze the intermediates and products during electrochemical reactions. This hyphenated technique combines electrochemistry with mass spectrometry using specific apparatuses, which helps researchers study mechanisms of redox reactions by in situ detecting chemical composition changes. Recently, various EC-MS methods have been applied in a series of electrochemical reactions to reveal the mechanisms, mainly in the areas of electrochemical sensors, organic electrochemistry, and electrocatalysis. In this review, we intend to summarize the recent advances in real-time analysis of different types of electrochemical reactions by EC-MS and offer an outlook on the perspectives in these areas.      

Comparative Analysis of Oxy-Hemoglobin and Aquomet-Hemoglobin by Hydrogen/Deuterium Exchange Mass Spectrometry

The function of hemoglobin (Hb) as oxygen transporter is mediated by reversible O₂ binding to Fe(2+) heme in each of the α and β subunits. X-ray crystallography revealed different subunit arrangements in oxy-Hb and deoxy-Hb. The deoxy state is stabilized by additional contacts, causing a rigidification that results in strong protection against hydrogen/deuterium exchange (HDX). Aquomet-Hb is a dysfunctional degradation product with four water-bound Fe(3+) centers. Heme release from aquomet-Hb is relatively facile, triggering oxidative damage of membrane lipids. Aquomet-Hb crystallizes in virtually the same conformation as oxy-Hb. Hence, it is commonly implied that the solution-phase properties of aquomet-Hb should resemble those of the oxy state. This work compares the structural dynamics of oxy-Hb and aquomet-Hb by HDX mass spectrometry (MS). It is found that the aquomet state exhibits a solution-phase structure that is significantly more dynamic, as manifested by elevated HDX levels. These enhanced dynamics affect the aquomet α and β subunits in a different fashion. The latter undergoes global destabilization, whereas the former shows elevated HDX levels only in the heme binding region. It is proposed that these enhanced dynamics play a role in facilitating heme release from aquomet-Hb. Our findings should be of particular interest to the MS community because oxy-Hb and aquomet-Hb serve as widely used test analytes for probing the relationship between biomolecular structure in solution and in the gas phase. We are not aware of any prior comparative HDX/MS experiments on oxy-Hb and aquomet-Hb.

基体辅助激光解吸电离飞行时间质谱法研究蛋白质的标记反应

利用基体辅助激光解吸电离飞行时间质谱法研究了商品化的生物素和异硫氰荧光素（FITC）标记和胰岛素的组成。其后利用基体辅助激光解吸电离飞行时间质谱法在位监控了生物素标记胰岛素的反应。结果发现：（1）商品化的标记胰岛素是一个多种标记比共存的混合物，而且两种商品化的标记胰岛素均包括了未标记的胰岛素；（2）标记物与蛋白质的摩尔比是决定标记物组成的重要因素，过高浓度标记物的使用有可能导致一些异常组份的生成。     

High-Throughput Optimization of Photochemical Reactions using Segmented-Flow Nanoelectrospray-Ionization Mass Spectrometry**

Within the realm of drug discovery, high-throughput experimentation techniques enable the rapid optimization of reactions and expedited generation of drug compound libraries for biological and pharmacokinetic evaluation. Herein we report the development of a segmented flow mass spectrometry-based platform to enable the rapid exploration of photoredox reactions for early-stage drug discovery. Specifically, microwell plate-based photochemical reaction screens were reformatted to segmented flow format to enable delivery to nanoelectrospray ionization-mass spectrometry analysis. This approach was demonstrated for the late-stage modification of complex drug scaffolds, as well as the subsequent structure–activity relationship evaluation of synthesized analogs. This technology is anticipated to expand the robust capabilities of photoredox catalysis in drug discovery by enabling high-throughput library diversification.     

The Analysis of Environmental Samples by Mass Spectrometry

Mass spectral analysis was carried out on shellfish samples taken in the vicinity of the Arrow oil spill at Chedabucto Bay, Nova Scotia. Oil samples were also analyzed, samples being obtained from the tanker and also from the beach.

After extraction of the oil and shellfish samples, group separations were made into aliphatic, aromatic and oxygenated fractions, which were analyzed separately by mass spectrometry. The validity of the group separations was established, since, in the analysis of the so-called aliphatic fraction, no evidence of aromatics could be seen by mass spectrometry.

On the other hand, polycyclic hydrocarbons were found in some of the aromatic fractions. Identification was based upon standard mass spectrometric analysis already performed on known examples of the polycyclics.

It was concluded that the possibility of oil contamination can be confirmed by the mass spectrometric analysis of appropriate samples. It was also concluded that the so-called control samples should have been taken at a greater distance from the oil spill.     

Detection of Localized Hepatocellular Amino Acid Kinetics by using Mass Spectrometry Imaging of Stable Isotopes

Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) simultaneously detects and identifies the spatial distribution of numerous molecules throughout tissues. Currently, MSI is limited to providing a static and ex vivo snapshot of highly dynamic systems in which molecules are constantly synthesized and consumed. Herein, we demonstrate an innovative MSI methodology to study dynamic molecular changes of amino acids within biological tissues by measuring the dilution and conversion of stable isotopes in a mouse model. We evaluate the method specifically on hepatocellular metabolism of the essential amino acid l ‐phenylalanine, associated with liver diseases. Crucially, the method reveals the localized dynamics of l ‐phenylalanine metabolism, including its in vivo hydroxylation to l ‐tyrosine and co‐localization with other liver metabolites in a time course of samples from different animals. This method thus enables the dynamics of localized biochemical synthesis to be studied directly from biological tissues.     

Room Temperature COad Desorption/Exchange Kinetics on Pt Electrodes—A Combined In Situ IR and Mass Spectrometry Study

The room temperature desorption and exchange of CO in a saturated CO adlayer on a Pt electrode, at potentials far below the onset of oxidation, was investigated by isotope labeling experiments, using a novel spectroelectrochemical setup, which allows the simultaneous detection of adsorbed species by in situ IR spectroscopy and of volatile (side) products and reactants by online mass spectrometry under controlled electrolyte flow conditions. Time‐resolved IR spectra show a rapid, statistical exchange of pre‐adsorbed ¹³CO_ad by ¹²CO_ad in ¹²CO containing electrolyte; mass spectrometric data reveal first‐order exchange kinetics, with the rate increasing with CO partial pressure. The increasing CO_ad desorption rate in equilibrium with a CO containing electrolyte is explained by a combination of an increasing CO_ad coverage upon increasing the CO pressure, and a decrease of the CO adsorption energy with coverage, due to repulsive CO_ad–CO_ad interactions.     

同位素质谱和无机质谱

本文是《分析试验室》定期评述中“同位素质谱和无机质谱”的第四篇评述，评述的范围是１９９４年１１月至１９９６年１０月我国气体同位素质谱，热电离同位素质谱，加速器质谱，火花源质谱，电感耦合等离子体质谱，辉光放电质谱，同位素稀释质谱，二次离子质谱，激光共振电离子飞行时间质谱，电子探针，质子探针，激光探针和它们在地学，核科学，环境科学，材料学，计理学，医学和生命科学中的应用，引用文献１４９篇。     

Conformational Analysis of Proteins in Highly Concentrated Solutions by Dialysis-Coupled Hydrogen/Deuterium Exchange Mass Spectrometry

When highly concentrated, an antibody solution can exhibit unusual behaviors, which can lead to unwanted properties, such as increased levels of protein aggregation and unusually high viscosity. Molecular modeling, along with many indirect biophysical measurements, has suggested that the cause for these phenomena can be due to short range electrostatic and/or hydrophobic protein–protein interactions. Hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) is a useful tool for investigating protein conformation, dynamics, and interactions. However, “traditional” continuous dilution labeling HDX-MS experiments have limited utility for the direct analysis of solutions with high concentrations of protein. Here, we present a dialysis-based HDX-MS (di-HDX-MS) method as an alternative HDX-MS labeling format, which takes advantage of passive dialysis rather than the classic dilution workflow. We applied this approach to a highly concentrated antibody solution without dilution or significant sample manipulation, prior to analysis. Such a method could pave the way for a deeper understanding of the unusual behavior of proteins at high concentrations, which is highly relevant for development of biopharmaceuticals in industry.

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Improved Sequence Resolution by Global Analysis of Overlapped Peptides in Hydrogen/Deuterium Exchange Mass Spectrometry

Management of the enormous amount of data produced during solution-phase hydrogen/deuterium exchange monitored by mass spectrometry has stimulated software analysis development. The proteolysis step of the experiment generates multiple peptide fragments, most of which overlap. Prior automated data reduction algorithms extract the deuteration level for individual peptides, but do not exploit the additional information arising from fragment overlap. Here, we describe an algorithm that determines discrete rate constant values to each of the amide hydrogens in overlapped fragments. By considering all of the overlapped peptide segments simultaneously, sequence resolution can be improved significantly, sometimes to the individual amino acid level. We have validated the method with simulated deuterium uptake data for seven overlapped fragments of a poly-Ala nonapeptide, and then applied it to extract rate constant values for the first 29?N-terminal amino acids of C22A FK506-binding protein.