Coupling of a Rydberg electron capture ion source with a quadrupole mass filter

The coupling of a Rydberg electron capture ion source with a Nermag R10-10H quadrupole mass filter is described. Details are given of the addition to this instrument of a creation cell for atoms excited in Rydberg states. Within the Nermag ion source, such atoms allow attachment of electrons of well-defined thermal energy. SF(6) was used for optimization of the main experimental parameters (gas pressures and voltages applied to the electrodes). The procedure by which Rydberg electron attachment was confirmed is described. A polychlorobiphenyl compound was used to illustrate the performance of this ionization technique. Ion formation was observed in the absence of fragmentation.     

A study of resonance electron capture ionization on a quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer

Procedures that allow the realization of resonance electron capture (REC) mode on a commercial triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer, after some simple modifications, are described. REC mass spectrometry (MS) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) experiments were performed and spectra for some compounds were recorded. In particular, the charge-remote fragmentation (CRF) spectra of [M - H](-) ions of docosanoic and docosenoic acids under low-energy collisionally activated dissociation (CAD) conditions were obtained, and showed that there were no significant differences for [M - H](-) ions produced at different resonances (i.e. for [M - H](-) ions with different structures). This observation was explained on the basis of results obtained from deuterium-labeled fatty acids, which showed that different CRF ions (but with the same m/z value in the absence of labels) could be produced by different mechanisms, and all of them were obviously realized under CAD conditions that made spectra practically indistinguishable. The other example, which compared the REC-MS/MS spectrum of [M - H](-) ions and EI-MS/MS spectrum of M(+.) ions of daidzein, demonstrated the potential of the REC-MS/MS technique for more complex structure elucidation.     

Top down characterization of secreted proteins from Mycobacterium tuberculosis by electron capture dissociation mass spectrometry

Secreted proteins of Mycobacterium tuberculosis are implicated in its disease pathogenesis and so are considered as potential diagnostic and vaccine candidates. The search for these has been slow, even though the entire genome sequence of M. tuberculosis is now available; of the 620 protein spots resolved by 2-D gel electrophoresis, 114 secreted proteins have been identified, but for only 13 has the primary structure been partly characterized. For comparison, in this top down mass spectrometry (MS) approach the secreted proteins were precipitated from cell culture filtrate, resuspended, and examined directly by electrospray ionization (ESI) Fourier transform MS. The ESI spectra of three precipitates showed 93, 535, and 369 molecular weight (M(r)) values, for a total of 689 different values. However, only approximately 10% of these values matched (+/-1 Da) the DNA predicted M(r) values, but these identifications were unreliable. Of nine molecular ions characterized by MS/MS, only one protein match was confirmed, and its isotopic molecular ions were overlapped by those of another protein. MS/MS identified a total of ten proteins by sequence tag search, of which three were unidentified previously. The low success of M(r) matching was due to unusually extensive posttranslational modifications, including loss of a signal sequence, loss of the N-terminal residue, proteolytic degradation, oxidation, and glycosylation. Although in eubacteria the latter is relatively rare, a 9 kDa protein showed 7 hexose attachments and two 20 kDa proteins each had 20 attachments. For MS/MS, electron capture dissociation was especially effective.     

Template-assisted selective radical addition toward sequence-regulated polymerization: lariat capture of target monomer by template initiator

Surprisingly high monomer selectivity was demonstrated in competitive radical addition with two kinds of methacrylates carrying sodium and ammonium cation. Crucial is size-specific recognition by a lariat crown ether embedded close to the reactive halide in a designer template initiator. Especially, a combination with an active ruthenium catalyst led to outstanding selectivity at low temperature. This template system will open the way to unprecedented sequence-regulated polymerization.     

Separation of vanadium-48 from a deuteron-irradiated TiO2 target

The influence of perchloric acid and hydrogen peroxide concentrations on the elution rates of vanadium and titanium from Dowex-50W X 8 resin was studied. The amounts of perchloric acid and of hydrogen peroxide were adjusted to provide an optimum eluent for the separation of vanadium from the irradiated titanium (TiO₂) target.     

Optimization of experimental parameters for electron capture dissociation of peptides in a Fourier transform mass spectrometer

This paper describes our effort in optimizing the experimental parameters for electron capture dissociation (ECD) of peptides in a commercially available Fourier-transform mass spectrometer. Using a built-in electrically heated filament electron gun, it was demonstrated that good quality ECD spectra of peptides (MW < 2500) could be obtained by irradiating the isolated peptide molecule-ions with a short pulse (50 ms) of low-energy (3–6 eV) electrons. In addition, we have also demonstrated that pulsing of inert cooling gas (argon) could further improve the intensity of the ECD-induced fragment ions. Due presumably to the influence of the strong magnetic field on the trajectories of electrons, the distance between the electron gun and the trapped-ion cell (i.e., 108 mm versus 20 mm) was found to have little influence on the efficiency of the ECD process(es). From a systematic study on the impact of the filament heating current, filament bias voltage, and electron irradiation time on the intensities of precursor ions and various fragment ions, it was postulated that subsequent capture of electrons by the fragment ions, i.e., neutralization of the fragment ions, might be a significant event for limiting the intensity of the fragment ions.     

Negative ion mass spectra of metal complexes: Secondary electron capture and CS2 elimination from nickel (ii) dithiocarbamates

Negative ion mass spectra of series of bis-(N, N-dithiocarbamato)nickel(II) complexes of formula [NiS₂C·NR¹R²]₂ (where·NR¹R² ? ·NEt₂ ·NPr₂, ·NBu₂, pyrrolidinyl, piperidyl, morpholinyl, and ·NEtPh) have been obtained by secondary electron capture. Intense molecular anions are given for all compounds, with most fragments originating from these ions. Metastable data indicate that CS₂ is eliminated from all molecular anions.     

Implementation of a Hamiliton-receptor-based hydrogen-bonding motif toward a new electron donor-acceptor prototype: electron versus energy transfer

A new modular concept for the self-assembly of electron donor-acceptor complexes is presented that ensures (i) fine-tuning the strength of the complexation, (ii) controlling the electronic coupling to impact electron and energy transfer processes, and (iii) high solubility of the corresponding hybrid architectures. This task has been realized through developing a series of porphyrin-fullerene donor-acceptor systems held together by a Hamilton-receptor-based hydrogen-bonding motif. In this context, novel libraries of C60 monoadducts (1) containing cyanuric acid side chains and of tetraphenylporphyrin derivatives (2) involving the complementary Hamilton-receptor unit were synthesized. The association constants of the corresponding 1:1 complexes (1.2) connected by six hydrogen bonds were determined complementary by NMR and fluorescence assays. Their strength, which was found to be in the range between 3.7 x 10(3) and 7.9 x 10(5) M-1, depends on the nature of the spacers, namely, hexylene versus propylene chains. Finally, transient absorption studies revealed photoinduced electron transfer from ZnP to C60 in the corresponding 1.2 complexes, which generate radical ion pair states that are persistent well beyond the ns time scale. In the case of the analogous SnP complexes, energy instead of electron transfer was observed. This is due to the shift of oxidation potential caused by presence of Sn in the oxidation state of +4.     

Supramolecular recognition of heteropairs of lanthanide ions: a step toward self-assembled bifunctional probes

Three unsymmetrical ditopic hexadentate ligands coded for the recognition of trivalent lanthanide ions have been synthesized, L(AB), L(AC), and L(BC), where A represents a benzimidazole-pyridine-benzimidazole coordination unit, B a benzimidazole-pyridine-carboxamide one, and C a benzimidazole-pyridine-carboxylic acid moiety. Under stoichiometric 2:3 (Ln:L) conditions, these ligands self-assemble with lanthanide ions to yield triple-stranded bimetallic helicates having a sizable stability in acetonitrile: log beta(23) values for Eu are equal to 23.9 +/- 0.5 (L(AB)), 23.3 +/- 0.7 (deprotonated L(AC)), and 29.8 +/- 0.5 (deprotonated L(BC)). The crystal structure of the EuEu helicate with L(AB) shows 9-coordinate metal ions and an HHH (H stands for head) configuration of the helically wrapped ligand strands. In the presence of equimolar quantities of Ln and Ln' ions, L(AB) displays a remarkable predisposition to form HHH-heterobimetallic edifices, as proved both in the solid state by the crystal structures of the LaEu, LaTb, PrEr, and PrLu helicates and in solution by NMR spectroscopy. In all cases, the benzimidazole-pyridine-carboxamide units of the three ligands are bound to the smaller lanthanide ion, a fact further ascertained by high-resolution luminescence data on LaEu and by (1)H NMR. Analysis of the lanthanide-induced (1)H NMR shifts and of the spin-lattice relaxation times of the [LnLu(L(AB))(3)](6+) series (Ln = Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu) demonstrates the isostructural nature of the complexes in solution and that the crystal structure of LaTb is a good model for the solution structure. The selectivity of L(AB) for heteropairs of Ln(III) ions increases with increasing difference in ionic radius, resulting in 70% of the heterobimetallic species for deltar(i) = 0.1 A and up to 90% for LaLu (deltar(i) = 0.18 A), and corresponding to delta(deltaG) in the range 3-10 kJ.mol(-)(1). The origins of this stabilization are discussed in terms of the donor properties of the coordinating units and of the preferential formation of HHH isomers.     

Radiative electron capture: a tool for structure studies of heavy few-electron ions

Radiative Electron Capture (REC) in collisions of hydrogenic germanium ions with hydrogen is measured for projectile energies between 4 and 12 MeV/u. Extrapolating the resulting centroid energies of the K-REC radiation to zero collision velocity theK-binding energy in helium-like germanium-ions is determined. The value compares well with the theoretical prediction. REC in atomic collisions is advertised as a spectroscopic tool for structure investigations of very heavy few-electron projectiles.     

Optimal time scheme for a two step measurement of indistinguishable radiation from two activities

The activities in a mixture of two independently decaying radionuclides emitting indistinguishable radiation but with different half-lives, is determined by measuring the mixture twice. A computer simulation program has been set up to gain insight in the influence of the time interval between the two measurements on the accuracy of the activity determination for the shortest lived radionuclide. The influence of the activity ratio, the half-life ratio and the total time available for measurement has also been investigated. On the average, it appears that the inaccuracy can be minimized by taking a time interval between the two measurements of about 4–5 half-lives of the shortest lived radionuclide. This result can be applied usefully to the measurement of many samples with one detector.     

Separation of hydrogen from silane via membranes: A step in the production of ultra-high-purity silicon

Ultra-high-purity silicon (Si) is an important material for the electronics industry. Most of this Si is produced by thermal decomposition of trichlorosilane (SiHCl₃). A second route is through decomposition of silane (SiH₄). Since the conversion per pass in this process is not complete, the hydrogen which is co-produced can be separated from the gaseous SiH₄ and purged so that the SiH₄ can be recovered and reused. Three different separation schemes for accomplishing this separation, including absorption, cold box and membranes, were proposed and the relatives merits of these three were studied. The results of this study show that the separation by membranes is the preferred one because of its simplicity in equipment and its low cost in energy. To define the process for the separation of SiH₄ and H₂ by membranes, three aspects were investigated: (1) permeability measurement, (2) comparison of the mixture performance with the predictions of a design model, and (3) chemical stability of the permeator in the presence of SiH₄. The results of permeation of a mixture of the two gases agree well with predictions by the design model using the pure-component permeabilities. The permeator is stable in the presence of SiH₄. Thus, a solid data base was obtained for design of a full-scale unit.     

Resonant electron capture negative ion mass spectrometry: the state of the art and the potential for solving analytical problems

Russian Chemical Bulletin - Resonant electron capture negative ion mass spectrometry (REC NI MS) is a highly informative method of investigation of low-energy electron-molecule reactions,...     

Photoelectron resonance capture ionization mass spectrometry: a soft ionization source for mass spectrometry of particle-phase organic compounds

Photoelectron resonance capture ionization (PERCI) is a soft and sensitive ionization method, based on the attachment of low-energy (<1 eV) photoelectrons to organic analyte molecules. PERCI has been developed in our laboratory for the real-time analysis of organic particles by mass spectrometry, and is employed here to monitor the heterogeneous reaction of ozone with oleic acid. Simplified identification of the reaction products is possible as a result of the soft nature of PERCI, giving predominantly the [M--H](-) ions. The major particle-phase products are identified as: 1-nonanal, nonanoic acid, 9-oxononanoic acid, and azelaic acid, consistent with proposed mechanisms. New insight into this well-studied heterogeneous reaction is gained as additional minor particle-phase products, consistent with the Criegee mechanism, are readily detected.     

Multiresidue determination of pyrethroid pesticide residues in pepper through a modified QuEChERS method and gas chromatography with electron capture detection

This study developed and used a modified quick, easy, cheap, efficient, rugged and safe (QuEChERS) method coupled with gas chromatography with electron capture detection to determine eight pyrethroid pesticide residues in green, red and dehydrated red peppers. Pyrethroids were extracted with acetonitrile, partitioned with sodium chloride and purified with primary secondary amino and graphitized carbon black in hexane. The QuEChERS extraction conditions were optimized, and the matrix effects that might influence recoveries were evaluated and minimized using matrix‐matched calibration curves. Under the optimized conditions, the calibration curves for pyrethroid pesticides showed good linearities in the concentration range of 0.05–20 µg/mL with determination coefficients (R²) >0.997. The limits of quantification of eight pyrethroids were 0.004–0.04 mg/kg for green and red pepper and 0.04–0.5 mg/kg for dehydrated red pepper. These values are below the suggested regulatory maximum residue limits. The mean recoveries ranged between 79.0 and 104%, and the relative standard deviations were <11%. The developed method was successfully applied to commercial samples. Some samples were found to contain pyrethroid pesticides with levels below the legal limits. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evidence for a mechanism that involves secondary electron capture in the liquid secondary ionization mass spectrometry beam-induced dehalogenation of organic compounds

The effect of the analyte electron affinity on the liquid secondary ionization mass spectrometry beam-induced dehalogenation of simple bromoaromatic compounds in a glycerol matrix was investigated. The results show a definite trend of decreasing dehalogenation with increasing analyte electron affinity. At high analyte electron affinity (≥ 1.0 eV), no dehalogenation was observed. These results are consistent with electrochemical and pulse radiolysis studies where one electron reduction was shown to be responsible for dehalogenation. A chloroaromatic compound with high electron affinity, 4-(4-chloro-benzoyl)pyridine, exhibited reduction by hydrogen addition but not dehalogenation. The radiation chemistry of alcohols was used to elaborate a scheme of the reactive species generated in the glycerol matrix by kiloelectronvolt particle bombardment. The possible role of those species in reduction processes such as dehalogenation was evaluated. The observation that dehalogenation decreases with analyte electron affinity is mechanistically consistent with the proposition that secondary electron production is an intrinsic part of the bombardment process.     

Further studies on a site-specific hydrogen transfer observed in electron capture negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry of hydroxyamine pentafluoropropionate derivatives

Further studies have demonstrated that the site-specific hydrogen transfer process involved in the formation of the m/z 145 anion of β-hydroxyamine pentafluoropropionate (PFP) derivatives observed under electron capture negative ion chemical ionization conditions occurs when the two functional groups are separated by up to five carbon atoms. Deuterium labelling has established that the site specificity, transfer of a hydrogen atom from the carbon adjacent to nitrogen to the OPFP group, is maintained in 4-amino-butan-1-ol-N, O-(PFP)₂. The corresponding PFP derivatives of the N-methylaminoalkanol-(PFP)₂ derivatives lack the m/z 145 species with m/z 163, [OPFP]^? being the base anion. Substitution of alkyl groups on the carbon adjacent to oxygen results in a diminution of the ion intensity at m/z 145. with a marked increase in the intensity of m/z 144. The formation of the m/z 145 and 144 anions to proposed to proceed through the intervention of a fluoride ion-molecule complex as outlined in Scheme 1 with the product ion distribution dependent on which of the two pathways is preferred.