Catalytic C1 Alkylation with Methanol and Isotope‐Labeled Methanol

A metal‐catalyzed methylation process has been developed. By employing an air‐ and moisture‐stable manganese catalyst together with isotopically labeled methanol, a series of D‐, CD₃‐, and ¹³C‐labeled products were obtained in good yields under mild reaction conditions with water as the only byproduct.     

Stereo‐ and Regioselective Direct Multi‐Deuterium‐Labeling Methods for Sugars

Deuterium‐labeled sugars can be utilized as powerful tools for the architectural analyses of high‐sugar‐containing molecules represented by the nucleic acids and glycoproteins, and chiral building blocks for the syntheses of new drug candidates (heavy drugs) due to their potential characteristics, such as simplifying the ¹H NMR spectra and the stability of C? D bonds compared with C? H bonds. We have established a direct and efficient synthetic method of deuterated sugars from non‐labeled sugars by using the heterogeneous Ru/C‐catalyzed H–D exchange reaction in D₂O under a hydrogen atmosphere with perfect chemo‐ and stereoselectivities. The direct H–D exchange reaction can selectively proceed on carbons adjacent to the free hydroxyl groups, and the deuterium labeling of various pyranosides (such as glucose and disaccharides), as well as furanosides, represented by ribose and deoxyribose was realized. Furthermore, the desired number of deuterium atoms can be freely incorporated into selected positions by the site‐selective protection of the hydroxyl groups using acetal‐type protective groups because the deuterium exchange reaction never proceeds on positions adjacent to the protected hydroxyl groups.     

Ruthenium Nanoparticles on Nano‐Level‐Controlled Carbon Supports as Highly Effective Catalysts for Arene Hydrogenation

The reaction of three types of carbon nanofibers (CNFs; platelet: CNF‐P, tubular: CNF‐T, herringbone: CNF‐H) with [Ru₃(CO)₁₂] in toluene heated at reflux provided the corresponding CNF‐supported ruthenium nanoparticles, Ru/CNFs (Ru content=1.1–3.8 wt %). TEM studies of these Ru/CNFs revealed that size‐controlled Ru nanoparticles (2–4 nm) exist on the CNFs, and that their location was dependent on the surface nanostructures of the CNFs: on the edge of the graphite layers (CNF‐P), in the tubes and on the surface (CNF‐T), and between the layers and on the edge (CNF‐H). Among these Ru/CNFs, Ru/CNF‐P showed excellent catalytic activity towards hydrogenation of toluene with high reproducibility; the reaction proceeded without leaching of the Ru species, and the catalyst was reusable. The total turnover number of the five recycling experiments for toluene hydrogenation reached over 180 000 (mol toluene) (mol Ru)^?1. Ru/CNF‐P was also effective for the hydrogenation of functionalized benzene derivatives and pyridine. Hydrogenolysis of benzylic C? O and C? N bonds has not yet been observed. Use of poly(ethylene glycol)s (PEGs) as a solvent made possible the biphasic catalytic hydrogenation of toluene. After the reaction, the methylcyclohexane formed was separated by decantation without contamination of the ruthenium species and PEG. The insoluble PEG phase containing all of the Ru/CNF was recoverable and reusable as the catalyst without loss of activity.     

Synthesis and Bioimaging of Positron‐Emitting 15O‐Labeled 2‐Deoxy‐D‐glucose of Two‐Minute Half‐Life

In positron emission tomography (PET), which exploits the affinity of a radiopharmaceutical for the target organ, a systematic repertoire of oxygen‐15‐labeled PET tracers is expected to be useful for bioimaging owing to the ubiquity of oxygen atoms in organic compounds. However, because of the 2‐min half‐life of ¹⁵O, the synthesis of complex biologically active ¹⁵O‐labeled organic molecules has not yet been achieved. A state‐of‐the‐art synthesis now makes available an ¹⁵O‐labeled complex organic molecule, 6‐[¹⁵O]‐2‐deoxy‐D ‐glucose. Ultrarapid radical hydroxylation of 2,6‐dideoxy‐6‐iodo‐D ‐glucose with molecular oxygen labeled with ¹⁵O of two‐minute half‐life provided the target ¹⁵O‐labeled molecule. The labeling reaction with ¹⁵O was complete in 1.3 min, and the entire operation time starting from the generation of ¹⁵O‐containing dioxygen by a cyclotron to the purification of the labeled sugar was 7 min. The labeled sugar accumulated in the metabolically active organs as well as in the bladder of mice and rats. ¹⁵O‐labeling offers the possibility of repetitive scanning and the use of multiple PET tracers in the same body within a short time, and hence should significantly expand the scope of PET studies of small animals.     

Two‐Photon Chemistry in Ruthenium 2,2′‐Bipyridyl‐Functionalized Single‐Wall Carbon Nanotubes

Ruthenium polypyridyl complexes are widely used as light harvesters in dye‐sensitized solar cells. Since one of the potential applications of single‐wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and their derived materials is their use as active components in organic and hybrid solar cells, the study of the photochemistry of SWCNTs with tethered ruthenium polypyridyl complexes is important. A water‐soluble ruthenium tris(bipyridyl) complex linked through peptidic bonds to SWCNTs (Ru‐SWCNTs) was prepared by radical addition of thiol‐terminated SWCNT to a terminal C?C double bond of a bipyridyl ligand of the ruthenium tris(bipyridyl) complex. The resulting macromolecular Ru‐SWCNT (≈500 nm, 15.6 % ruthenium complex content) was water‐soluble and was characterized by using TEM, thermogravimetric analysis, chemical analysis, and optical spectroscopy. The emission of Ru‐SWCNT is 1.6 times weaker than that of a mixture of [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ and SWCNT of similar concentration. Time‐resolved absorption optical spectroscopy allows the detection of the [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺‐excited triplet and [Ru(bpy)₃]⁺. The laser flash studies reveal that Ru‐SWCNT exhibits an unprecedented two‐photon process that is enabled by the semiconducting properties of the SWCNT. Thus, the effect of the excitation wavelength and laser power on the transient spectra indicate that upon excitation of two [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ complexes of Ru‐SWCNT, a disproportionation process occurs leading to delayed formation of [Ru(bpy)₃]⁺ and the performance of the SWCNT as a semiconductor. This two‐photon delayed [Ru(bpy)₃]⁺ generation is not observed in the photolysis of [Ru(bpy)₃]³⁺; SWCNT acts as an electron wire or electron relay in the disproportionation of two [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ triplets in a process that illustrates that the SWCNT plays a key role in the process. We propose a mechanism for this two‐photon disproportionation compatible with i) the need for high laser flux, ii) the long lifetime of the [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ triplets, iii) the semiconducting properties of the SWNT, and iv) the energy of the HOMO/LUMO levels involved.     

Positional Enrichment by Proton Analysis (PEPA): A One‐Dimensional 1H‐NMR Approach for 13C Stable Isotope Tracer Studies in Metabolomics

A novel metabolomics approach for NMR‐based stable isotope tracer studies called PEPA is presented, and its performance validated using human cancer cells. PEPA detects the position of carbon label in isotopically enriched metabolites and quantifies fractional enrichment by indirect determination of ¹³C‐satellite peaks using 1D‐¹H‐NMR spectra. In comparison with ¹³C‐NMR, TOCSY and HSQC, PEPA improves sensitivity, accelerates the elucidation of ¹³C positions in labeled metabolites and the quantification of the percentage of stable isotope enrichment. Altogether, PEPA provides a novel framework for extending the high‐throughput of ¹H‐NMR metabolic profiling to stable isotope tracing in metabolomics, facilitating and complementing the information derived from 2D‐NMR experiments and expanding the range of isotopically enriched metabolites detected in cellular extracts.     

Synthesis of N,N,N-4,4＂-Di-（4-methylphenyl）-2,2＇：6＇,2＂- terpyridine-N,N,N-tris（isothiocyanato） Ruthenium（Ⅱ） and Application to Colorimetric Hg^2＋ Sensor

A terpyridine derivative DPTP [di-（4-methylphenyl）-2,2＇：6＇,2＂-terpyridine] was conveniently synthesized from 2-bromopyridine via halogen-dance reaction, Kharash coupling and Stille coupling reaction. Then its corresponding ruthenium complex Ru-DPTP [N,N,N-4,4＇＇-di-（4-methy,phenyl）-2,2＇：6＇,2＂-terpyridine-N,N,N-tris（is,-thi,cyanat,）- ruthenium（H） ammonium] was obtained and fully characterized by IR, UV-Vis, ESI MS and elemental analysis. The MLCT absorption band of Ru-DPTP was blue-shifted from 570 to 500 nm upon addition of Hg^2＋. Among a series of surveyed metal ions, the complex showed a unique recognition to Hg^2＋, indicating that it can be used as a selective colorimetric sensor for Hg^2＋.     

Kinetics and mechanistic aspects on electron‐transfer process for permanganate oxidation of poly(ethylene glycol) in aqueous acidic solutions in the presence and absence of Ru(III) catalyst

The kinetics and mechanism of oxidation of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) by the permanganate ion as a multiequivalent oxidant in aqueous perchlorate solutions at an ionic strength of 2.0 mol dm⁻³ has been investigated spectrophotometrically. The reaction kinetics was found to be of complex in nature. The pseudo–first‐order plots showed curves of inverted S‐shape, consisting of two distinct stages throughout the entire course of reaction. The first stage was relatively slow, followed by a fast reaction rate at longer time periods. The first‐order dependence in [MnO₄⁻], fractional first‐order dependence in [H⁺], and fractional first‐order kinetics in the PEG concentration for the first stage have been revealed in the absence of the Ru(III) catalyst. The influence of the Ru(III) catalyst on the oxidation kinetics has been examined. The oxidation was found to be catalyzed by the added Ru(III) catalyst. The First‐order dependence on the catalyst and zero order with respect to the oxidant concentrations have been observed. The kinetic parameters have been evaluated, and a tentative reaction mechanism consistent with the kinetic results is suggested and discussed.     

Nicotine,acetanilide and urea multi‐level 2H‐, 13C‐ and 15N‐abundance reference materials for continuous‐flow isotope ratio mass spectrometry

Accurate determinations of stable isotope ratios require a calibration using at least two reference materials with different isotopic compositions to anchor the isotopic scale and compensate for differences in machine slope. Ideally, the δ values of these reference materials should bracket the isotopic range of samples with unknown δ values. While the practice of analyzing two isotopically distinct reference materials is common for water (VSMOW‐SLAP) and carbonates (NBS 19 and L‐SVEC), the lack of widely available organic reference materials with distinct isotopic composition has hindered the practice when analyzing organic materials by elemental analysis/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (EA‐IRMS). At present only L‐glutamic acids USGS40 and USGS41 satisfy these requirements for δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N, with the limitation that L‐glutamic acid is not suitable for analysis by gas chromatography (GC). We describe the development and quality testing of (i) four nicotine laboratory reference materials for on‐line (i.e. continuous flow) hydrogen reductive gas chromatography‐isotope ratio mass‐spectrometry (GC‐IRMS), (ii) five nicotines for oxidative C, N gas chromatography‐combustion‐isotope ratio mass‐spectrometry (GC‐C‐IRMS, or GC‐IRMS), and (iii) also three acetanilide and three urea reference materials for on‐line oxidative EA‐IRMS for C and N. Isotopic off‐line calibration against international stable isotope measurement standards at Indiana University adhered to the ‘principle of identical treatment’. The new reference materials cover the following isotopic ranges: δ²H_nicotine ?162 to ?45‰, δ¹³C_nicotine ?30.05 to +7.72‰, δ¹⁵N_nicotine ?6.03 to +33.62‰; δ¹⁵N_acetanilide +1.18 to +40.57‰; δ¹³C_urea ?34.13 to +11.71‰, δ¹⁵N_urea +0.26 to +40.61‰ (recommended δ values refer to calibration with NBS 19, L‐SVEC, IAEA‐N‐1, and IAEA‐N‐2). Nicotines fill a gap as the first organic nitrogen stable isotope reference materials for GC‐IRMS that are available with different δ¹⁵N values. Comparative δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N on‐line EA‐IRMS data from 14 volunteering laboratories document the usefulness and reliability of acetanilides and ureas as EA‐IRMS reference materials. Published in 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Detection of Polyols by HPLC Coupled with an On‐Line Photochemical Oxidation Reactor and Chemiluminescence Detection

In this paper we propose a new post‐column detection method for polyols containing 1,2‐diol, 1,3‐diol, and saccharides. The polyols are oxidized in a photochemical reactor to yield oxalate with subsequent chemiluminescence detection using [Ru(III)(bpy)₃]³⁺. A mixing solution of eluate and oxidizing reagent is delivered to a reaction coil, which is then irradiated with ultraviolet light to promote the oxidation reaction. The detection limits for 1,2‐ethanediol (ethylene glycol) and 1,3‐propanediol were 38 pmol and 23 pmol, respectively.     

2,3‐Di(2‐pyridyl)‐5‐phenylpyrazine: A NN‐CNN‐Type Bridging Ligand for Dinuclear Transition‐Metal Complexes

A new bridging ligand, 2,3‐di(2‐pyridyl)‐5‐phenylpyrazine (dpppzH), has been synthesized. This ligand was designed so that it could bind two metals through a NN‐CNN‐type coordination mode. The reaction of dpppzH with cis‐[(bpy)₂RuCl₂] (bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine) affords monoruthenium complex [(bpy)₂Ru(dpppzH)]²⁺ ( 12+ ) in 64 % yield, in which dpppzH behaves as a NN bidentate ligand. The asymmetric biruthenium complex [(bpy)₂Ru(dpppz)Ru(Mebip)]³⁺ ( 23+ ) was prepared from complex 12+ and [(Mebip)RuCl₃] (Mebip=bis(N‐methylbenzimidazolyl)pyridine), in which one hydrogen atom on the phenyl ring of dpppzH is lost and the bridging ligand binds to the second ruthenium atom in a CNN tridentate fashion. In addition, the RuPt heterobimetallic complex [(bpy)₂Ru(dpppz)Pt(C?CPh)]²⁺ ( 42+ ) has been prepared from complex 12+ , in which the bridging ligand binds to the platinum atom through a CNN binding mode. The electronic properties of these complexes have been probed by using electrochemical and spectroscopic techniques and studied by theoretical calculations. Complex 12+ is emissive at room temperature, with an emission λ_max=695 nm. No emission was detected for complex 23+ at room temperature in MeCN, whereas complex 42+ displayed an emission at about 750 nm. The emission properties of these complexes are compared to those of previously reported Ru and RuPt bimetallic complexes with a related ligand, 2,3‐di(2‐pyridyl)‐5,6‐diphenylpyrazine.     

Synthesis of Homoallylic Alcohols with Acyclic Quaternary Centers through CoIII‐Catalyzed Three‐Component C−H Bond Addition to Internally Substituted Dienes and Carbonyls

An efficient Co^III‐catalyzed three‐component strategy to prepare homoallylic alcohols containing acyclic quaternary centers is disclosed. This transformation enables the introduction of two C?C σ bonds through C?H bond activation and sequential addition to internally substituted dienes and a wide range of aldehydes and activated ketones. Isoprene and other internally monosubstituted dienes are effective inputs, with the reaction proceeding with high diastereoselectivity for those substrate combinations that result in more than one stereogenic center. Moreover, the opposite relative stereochemistry can be achieved by employing 1,2‐disubstituted dienes. A mechanism for the transformation is proposed based upon the relative stereochemistry of the products and studies with isotopically labeled starting materials.     

Working methods paper: Micro‐scale preparation and characterization of isotopically enriched monomethylmercury

A synthesis method for the micro‐scale laboratory preparation of isotopically enriched monomethylmercury (MMHg) has been successfully established. This compound is an important standard for species‐specific isotope dilution analysis. The isotopically enriched MMHg has been synthesized from commercially available mercury oxide (²⁰¹HgO) using methylcobalamin co‐enzyme as methylating agent. The time required is less than 2 h and the final yield is about 90%. The proposed method is faster than those previously reported in the literature. It allows work on a micro scale to control the use of expensive enriched isotope standard. It also allows control of unintentional formation of dimethylmercury. The enriched mercury‐containing reaction products were analyzed by capillary gas chromatography coupled to an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer after derivatization with sodium tetraethylborate. The isotopic composition, concentration, purity and stability of the synthesized, enriched MMHg have been investigated in order to establish standard protocols for MMHg isotope dilution analysis or isotope labeling incubation experiments. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis, Crystal Structure of Ruthenium 1,2－Naphthoquinone－1－oxime Complex and Its Mediated C－－C Coupling Reactions of Ter－minal Alkynes

Substituted decarbonylation reaction of ruthenium 1,2‐naphthoquinone‐1‐oxime (1‐nqo) complex, cis‐, cis‐[Ru| ζ²‐N(O)C₁₀‐H₆O|₂(CO)₂] (1), with acetonitrile gave cis‐, cis‐[Ru | ζ²‐ N(O)C₁₀H₆O|₂(CO)(NCMe)] (2). Complex 2 was fully characterized by ¹H NMR, FAB MS, IR spectra and single crystal X‐ray analysis. Complex 2 maintains the coordination structure of 1 with the two naphthoquinonic oxygen atoms, as well as the two oximato nitrogen atoms located cis to each other, showing that there is no ligand rearrangement of the 1‐nqo ligands during the substitution reaction. The carbonyl group originally trans to the naphthoquinonic oxygen in one 1‐nqo ligand is left in its original position [O(5)‐Ru‐C(1), 174.0(6)°], while the other one originally trans to the oximato group of the other 1‐nqo ligand is substituted by NCMe [N(1)‐Ru‐N(3), 170.6(6)°]. This shows that the carbonyl trans to oximato group is more labile than the one trans to naphthoquinonic O atom towards substitution. This is probably due to the comparatively stronger ± back bonding from ruthenium metal to the carbonyl group trans to naphthoquinonic O atom, than the one trans to oximato group, resulting in the comparatively weaker Ru–‐CO bond for the latter and consequently easier replacement of this carbonyl. Selected coupling of phenylacetylene mediated by 2 gave a single trans‐dimerization product 3, while 2 mediated coupling reaction of methyl propiolate produced three products: one trans‐dimerization product 4 and two cyclotrimeric products 5 and 6.     

Binding of piano‐stool Ru(II) complexes to DNA; QM/MM study

Ru(II) “piano‐stool” complexes belong to group of biologically active metallocomplexes with promising anticancer activity. In this study, we investigate the reaction mechanism of [(η⁶‐benzene)Ru(II)(en)(H₂O)]²⁺ (en = ethylenediamine) complex binding to DNA by hybrid QM/MM computational techniques. The reaction when the Ru(II) complex is coordinated on N7‐guanine from major groove is explored. Two reaction pathways, direct binding to N7 position and two‐step mechanism passing through O6 position, are considered. It was found that the reaction is exothermic and the direct binding process is preferred kinetically. In analogy to cisplatin, we also explored the possibility of intrastrand cross‐link formation where the Ru(II) complex makes a bridge between two adjacent guanines. Two different pathways were found, leading to a final structure with released benzene ligand. This process is exothermic; however, one pathway is blocked by relatively high initial activation barrier. Geometries, energies, and electronic properties analyzed by atoms in molecules and natural population analysis methods are discussed. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Electrochemiluminescence Biosensor Based on PEDOT‐PSS‐ Graphene Functionalized ITO Electrode

A novel and sensitive electrochemiluminescence (ECL) method for ethanol biosensor was developed by co‐immobilizing the enzyme and ECL reagent Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ on the poly‐(3,4‐ethylene dioxythiophene) and polystyrene sulfonate functionalized graphene (PEDOT‐PSS‐G) nanocomposite film. Positively charged Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ could be immobilized effectively on the electrode surface with the negatively charged PSS and graphene, which provided a stable ECL platform for further modification with the enzyme. Moreover, the introduction of PEDOT and graphene can be acted as a conducting pathway to accelerate the electron transfer due to the high conductivity. Such biosensor combined enzymatic selectivity with the amplification of PEDOT‐PSS‐G performed well with a wide linear range, high sensitivity and good stability. The sensing platform was successfully applied to determine the amounts of alcohol in real samples.     

Redox‐Active‐Ligand‐Mediated Formation of an Acyclic Trinuclear Ruthenium Complex with Bridging Nitrido Ligands

Coordination of a redox‐active pyridine aminophenol ligand to Ru^II followed by aerobic oxidation generates two diamagnetic Ru^III species [ 1 a (cis) and 1 b (trans)] with ligand‐centered radicals. The reaction of 1 a / 1 b with excess NaN₃ under inert atmosphere resulted in the formation of a rare bis(nitrido)‐bridged trinuclear ruthenium complex with two nonlinear asymmetrical Ru‐N‐Ru fragments. The spontaneous reduction of the ligand centered radical in the parent 1 a / 1 b supports the oxidation of a nitride (N^3?) to half an equivalent of N₂. The trinuclear omplex is reactive toward TEMPO‐H, tin hydrides, thiols, and dihydrogen.     

A Sandwich‐type Electrochemiluminescence Aptasensor for Thrombin Based on Functional Co‐polymer Electrode Using Ru(bpy)32+ Doped Nanocomposites as Signal‐amplifying Tags

Herein, a signal‐on sandwich‐type electrochemiluminescence (ECL) aptasensor for the detection of thrombin (TB) was proposed. The graphene (GR) doped thionine (TH) was electropolymerized synchronously on the bare glassy carbon electrode (GCE) to form co‐polymer (PTG) electrode. The gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were decorated on the surface of the PTG by in‐situ electrodeposition, and the functional co‐polymer (PTG‐AuNPs) electrode was utilized as sensing interface. Then, TB binding aptamer I (TBA I) as capture probes were modified on the PTG‐AuNPs electrode to capture TB, and Ru(bpy)₃²⁺/silver nanoparticles doped silica core‐shell nanocomposites‐labeled TB binding aptamer II (RuAg/SiO₂NPs@TBA II) were used as signal probes to further bind TB, resulting in a sandwich structure. With the assistant of silica shell and AgNPs, the enrichment and luminous efficiency of Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ were significantly improved. Under the synergy of PTG‐AuNPs and RuAg/SiO₂NPs, the ECL signal was dramatically increased. The proposed ECL aptasensor displayed a wide linear range from 2 fM to 2 pM with the detection limit of 1 fM, which is comparable or better than that in reported ECL aptasensors for TB using Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ and its derivatives as the luminescent substance. The excellent sensitivity makes the proposed aptasensor a promising potential in pharmaceutical and clinical analysis.     

Synthesis and characterization of new complexes of the type [Ru(CO)2Cl2 (2‐phenyl‐1,8‐naphthyridine‐kN) (2‐phenyl‐1,8‐naphthyridine‐kN′)]. Preliminary applications in homogeneous catalysis

Novel ruthenium (II) complexes were prepared containing 2‐phenyl‐1,8‐naphthyridine derivatives. The coordination modes of these ligands were modified by addition of coordinating solvents such as water into the ethanolic reaction media. Under these conditions 1,8‐naphthyridine (napy) moieties act as monodentade ligands forming unusual [Ru(CO)₂Cl₂(η¹‐2‐phenyl‐1,8‐naphthyridine‐ kN )(η¹‐2‐phenyl‐1,8‐naphthyridine‐kN′)] complexes. The reaction was reproducible when different 2‐phenyl‐1,8‐naphthyridine derivatives were used. On the other hand, when dry ethanol was used as the solvent we obtained complexes with napy moieties acting as a chelating ligand. The structures proposed for these complexes were supported by NMR spectra, and the presence of two ligands in the [Ru(CO)₂Cl₂(η¹‐2‐phenyl‐1,8‐naphthyridine‐ kN )(η¹‐2‐phenyl‐1,8‐naphthyridine‐kN′)] type complexes was confirmed using elemental analysis. All complexes were tested as catalysts in the hydroformylation of styrene showing moderate activity in N,N′‐dimethylformamide. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Minimizing 18O/16O back‐exchange in the relative quantification of ribonucleic acids

The use of isotopically labeled endonuclease digestion products allows for the relative quantification of ribonucleic acids (RNAs). This approach utilizes ribonucleases such as RNase T1 to mediate the incorporation of ¹⁸O onto the 3′‐terminus of the endonuclease digestion product from a solution containing heavy water (H₂¹⁸O). The accuracy and precision of relative quantification are dependent on the efficiency of isotope incorporation and minimizing any possible ¹⁸O to ¹⁶O back‐exchange before or during mass spectral analysis. Here, we have investigated the stability of ¹⁸O‐labeled endonuclease digestion products to back‐exchange. In particular, the effects of pH, temperature and presence of RNase on the back‐exchange process were examined using matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI‐MS). We have found that back‐exchange depends on the presence of the RNase—back‐exchange was not observed once the enzyme was removed from the sample. With RNase present, at all pH values examined (from acidic to basic pH), back‐exchange was detected at incubation above room temperature. The rates and extent of back‐exchange were similar at all pH values. In contrast, back‐exchange in the presence of RNase was found to be especially sensitive to incubation temperature—at temperatures below room temperature, minimal back‐exchange was detected. However, back‐exchange increased as the incubation temperature increased. Based on these findings, appropriate sample‐handling and sample storage conditions for isotopically labeled endonuclease digestion products have been identified, and these conditions should improve the accuracy and precision of results from the relative quantification of RNAs obtained by this approach. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.