Ortho‐hydroxyl effect and proton transfer via ion–neutral complex: the fragmentation study of protonated imine resveratrol analogues in mass spectrometry

The fragmentation pathways of protonated imine resveratrol analogues in the gas‐phase were investigated by electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry. Benzyl cations were formed in the imine resveratrol analogues that had an ortho‐hydroxyl group on the benzene ring A. The specific elimination of the quinomethane neutral, CH₂ = C₆H₄ = O, from the two isomeric ions [M1 + H]⁺ and [M3 + H]⁺ via the corresponding ion–neutral complexes was observed. The fragmentation pathway for the related meta‐isomer, ion [M2 + H]⁺ and the other congeners was not observed. Accurate mass measurements and additional experiments carried out with a chlorinated analogue and the trideuterated isotopolog of M1 supported the overall interpretation of the fragmentation phenomena observed. It is very helpful for understanding the intriguing roles of ortho‐hydroxyl effect and ion–neutral complexes in fragmentation reactions and enriching the knowledge of the gas‐phase chemistry of the benzyl cation. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Competitive proton and hydride transfer reactions via ion‐neutral complexes: fragmentation of deprotonated benzyl N‐phenylcarbamates in mass spectrometry

The gas‐phase chemistry of deprotonated benzyl N‐phenylcarbamates was investigated by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Characteristic losses of a substituted phenylcarbinol and a benzaldehyde from the precursor ion were proposed to be derived from an ion‐neutral complex (INC)‐mediated competitive proton and hydride transfer reactions. The intermediacy of the INC consisting of a substituted benzyloxy anion and a phenyl isocyanate was supported by both ortho‐site‐blocking experiments and density functional theory calculations. Within the INC, the benzyloxy anion played the role of either a proton abstractor or a hydride donor toward its neutral counterpart. Relative abundances of the product ions were influenced by the nature of the substituents. Electron‐withdrawing groups at the N‐phenyl ring favored the hydrogen transfer process (including proton and hydride transfer), whereas electron‐donating groups favored direct decomposition to generate the benzyloxy anion (or substituted benzyloxy anion). By contrast, electron‐withdrawing and electron‐donating substitutions at the O‐benzyl ring exhibited opposite effects. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Intramolecular transacylation: fragmentation of protonated molecules via ion‐neutral complexes in mass spectrometry

An intramolecular transacylation reaction was observed in the mass spectrometry of molecules containing both benzoyl and carboxymethyl groups on an aromatic heterocyclic core. The reaction is triggered by a dissociative protonation on the heterocyclic ring at the atom (carbon or nitrogen) that bonds to the benzoyl group, leading to an intermediate ion‐neutral complex. The incipient benzoyl cation in the complex migrates to attack the carboxyl group of the neutral partner at the carbonyl or hydroxyl oxygen under thermodynamic or kinetic control, respectively. Elimination of benzoic acid followed by loss of carbon monoxide takes place as a result of the transacylation. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Competitive benzyl cation transfer and proton transfer: collision‐induced mass spectrometric fragmentation of protonated N,N‐dibenzylaniline

Collision‐induced dissociation of protonated N ,N ‐dibenzylaniline was investigated by electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. Various fragmentation pathways were dominated by benzyl cation and proton transfer. Benzyl cation transfers from the initial site (nitrogen) to benzylic phenyl or aniline phenyl ring. The benzyl cations transfer to the two different sites, and both result in the benzene loss combined with 1,3‐H shift. In addition, after the benzyl cation transfers to the benzylic phenyl ring, 1,2‐H shift and 1,4‐H shift proceed competitively to trigger the diphenylmethane loss and aniline loss, respectively. Deuterium labeling experiments, substituent labeling experiments and density functional theory calculations were performed to support the proposed benzyl cation and proton transfer mechanism. Overall, this study enriches the knowledge of fragmentation mechanisms of protonated N ‐benzyl compounds. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Gas phase retro‐Michael reaction resulting from dissociative protonation: fragmentation of protonated warfarin in mass spectrometry

A mass spectrometric study of protonated warfarin and its derivatives (compounds 1 to 5) has been performed. Losses of a substituted benzylideneacetone and a 4‐hydroxycoumarin have been observed as a result of retro‐Michael reaction. The added proton is initially localized between the two carbonyl oxygens through hydrogen bonding in the most thermodynamically favorable tautomer. Upon collisional activation, the added proton migrates to the C‐3 of 4‐hydroxycoumarin, which is called the dissociative protonation site, leading to the formation of the intermediate ion‐neutral complex (INC). Within the INC, further proton transfer gives rise to a proton‐bound complex. The cleavage of one hydrogen bond of the proton‐bound complex produces the protonated 4‐hydroxycoumarin, while the separation of the other hydrogen bond gives rise to the protonated benzylideneacetone. Theoretical calculations indicate that the 1, 5‐proton transfer pathway is most thermodynamically favorable and support the existence of the INC. Both substituent effect and the kinetic method were utilized for explaining the relative abundances of protonated 4‐hydroxycoumarin and protonated benzylideneacetone derivative. For monosubstituted warfarins, the electron‐donating substituents favor the generation of protonated substituted benzylideneacetone, whereas the electron‐withdrawing groups favor the formation of protonated 4‐hydroxycoumarin. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Travelling‐wave ion mobility mass spectrometry and negative ion fragmentation of hybrid and complex N‐glycans

Nitrogen collisional cross sections (CCSs) of hybrid and complex glycans released from the glycoproteins IgG, gp120 (from human immunodeficiency virus), ovalbumin, α1‐acid glycoprotein and thyroglobulin were measured with a travelling‐wave ion mobility mass spectrometer using dextran as the calibrant. The utility of this instrument for isomer separation was also investigated. Some isomers, such as Man₃GlcNAc₃ from chicken ovalbumin and Man₃GlcNAc₃Fuc₁ from thyroglobulin could be partially resolved and identified by their negative ion fragmentation spectra obtained by collision‐induced decomposition (CID). Several other larger glycans, however, although existing as isomers, produced only asymmetric rather than separated arrival time distributions (ATDs). Nevertheless, in these cases, isomers could often be detected by plotting extracted fragment ATDs of diagnostic fragment ions from the negative ion CID spectra obtained in the transfer cell of the Waters Synapt mass spectrometer. Coincidence in the drift times of all fragment ions with an asymmetric ATD profile in this work, and in the related earlier paper on high‐mannose glycans, usually suggested that separations were because of conformers or anomers, whereas symmetrical ATDs of fragments showing differences in drift times indicated isomer separation. Although some significant differences in CCSs were found for the smaller isomeric glycans, the differences found for the larger compounds were usually too small to be analytically useful. Possible correlations between CCSs and structural types were also investigated, and it was found that complex glycans tended to have slightly smaller CCSs than high‐mannose glycans of comparable molecular weight. In addition, biantennary glycans containing a core fucose and/or a bisecting GlcNAc residue fell on different mobility‐m/z trend lines to those glycans not so substituted with both of these substituents contributing to larger CCSs. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reversible addition–fragmentation chain‐transfer polymerization: Unambiguous end‐group assignment via electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry was performed to identify the structure of polymeric methyl acrylates generated via the cumyl dithiobenzoate (CDB), cumyl p‐fluorodithiobenzoate (CPFDB), and 1‐phenylethyl dithiobenzoate (PEDB) mediated reversible addition–fragmentation chain‐transfer (RAFT) polymerizations. The relatively simple spectra clearly demonstrate the end groups of this living free‐radical polymerization technique. Only polymeric chains carrying one leaving group of the RAFT agent and the dithiobenzoate end group as the active RAFT center were discovered. Multiple‐stage mass spectrometric experiments and oxidation of the dithioester end group confirmed the structure of the generated polymers. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 4032–4037, 2002     

Molecular view of charge exchange in ion–C60 collisions

We present a theoretical study of charge transfer in H⁺+C₆₀ and He²⁺+C₆₀ collisions using an extension of the molecular time‐dependent method of ion–atom collisions. Energy‐correlation diagrams have been evaluated for the corresponding (C₆₀–H)⁺ and (C₆₀–He)²⁺ quasi‐molecules. Single and double charge‐transfer cross sections in C₆₀+He²⁺ collisions are reported for the first time. The results show that double charge‐transfer cross sections are only one order of magnitude smaller than single charge‐transfer cross sections. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2001     

N‐Germyl derivatives of sulfacetamide and ortho‐(sulfonamido)phenylamines: characterization of N‐[o‐(N′,N′‐dimethylsulfonamido)phenyl]‐N‐dimesitylgermaimine

Triethylgermylation of sulfacetamide occurs on the sulfonamido nitrogen in competition with the 1,2 addition of the starting triethylgermyl dimethylamine on the carbonyl group. Thermal decomposition in the presence of dimethylamine yields N‐triethylgermylsulfanilamide. Stable 1:1 sulfacetamide–DBU and 1:1 sulfacetamide–Et₃N complexes were isolated and fully characterized in the course of dehydrochlorination reactions. o‐Sulfonamidophenylamine yields N,N′‐bis‐triethylgermylated derivatives, whereas o‐(N,N‐dimethylsulfonamido)phenylamine leads to monogermylated compounds. The N‐dimethylaminodimesitylgermyl derivative is thermally stable. Dehydrohalogenation of the N‐dimesitylfluorogermyl compound leads to the thermally stable but water sensitive N‐[o‐(N′,N′‐dimethylsulfonamido)phenyl]‐N‐dimesitylgermaimine. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An unprecedented rearrangement in collision-induced mass spectrometric fragmentation of protonated benzylamines

The collision-induced dissociation (CID) mass spectra of several protonated benzylamines are described and mechanistically rationalized. Under collision-induced decomposition conditions, protonated dibenzylamine, for example, loses ammonia, thereby forming an ion of m/z 181. Deuterium labeling experiments confirmed that the additional proton transferred to the nitrogen atom during this loss of ammonia comes from the ortho positions of the phenyl rings and not from the benzylic methylene groups. A mechanism based on an initial elongation of a C--N bond at the charge center that eventually cleaves the C--N bond to form an ion/neutral complex of benzyl cation and benzylamine is proposed to rationalize the results. The complex then proceeds to dissociate in several different ways: (1) a direct dissociation to yield a benzyl cation observed at m/z 91; (2) an electrophilic attack by the benzyl cation within the complex on the phenyl ring of the benzylamine to remove a pair of electrons from the aromatic sextet to form an arenium ion, which either donates a ring proton (or deuteron when present) to the amino group forming a protonated amine, which undergoes a charge-driven heterolytic cleavage to eliminate ammonia (or benzylamine) forming a benzylbenzyl cation observed at m/z 181, or undergoes a charge-driven heterolytic cleavage to eliminate diphenylmethane and an immonium ion; and (3) a hydride abstraction from a methylene group of the neutral benzylamine to the benzylic cation to eliminate toluene and form a substituted immonium ion. Corresponding benzylamine and dibenzylamine losses observed in the spectra of protonated tribenzylamine and tetrabenzyl ammonium ion, respectively, indicate that the postulated mechanism can be widely applied. The postulated mechanisms enabled proper prediction of mass spectral fragments expected from protonated butenafine, an antifungal drug.     

Asymmetric transfer hydrogenation catalyzed by a novel planar chiral N‐heterocyclic carbene–rhodium(I) complex

A novel chelated ferrocene‐based planar chiral N‐heterocyclic carbene‐Rh(I) complex was synthesized by a simple method. It was applied to the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of prochiral ketones. Enantioselectivities of up to 67% ee were observed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of N‐nitrosamines by automated dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction integrated with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry

An automated dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction integrated with gas chromatography and mass spectrometric procedure was developed for the determination of three N‐nitrosamines (N‐nitroso‐di‐n‐propylamine, N‐nitrosopiperidine, and N‐nitroso di‐n‐butylamine) in water samples. Response surface methodology was employed to optimize relevant extraction parameters including extraction time, dispersive solvent volume, water sample pH, sodium chloride concentration, and agitation (stirring) speed. The optimal dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction conditions were 28 min of extraction time, 33 μL of methanol as dispersive solvent, 722 rotations per minute of agitation speed, 23% w/v sodium chloride concentration, and pH of 10.5. Under these conditions, good linearity for the analytes in the range from 0.1 to 100 μg/L with coefficients of determination (r²) from 0.988 to 0.998 were obtained. The limits of detection based on a signal‐to‐noise ratio of 3 were between 5.7 and 124 ng/L with corresponding relative standard deviations from 3.4 to 5.9% (n = 4). The relative recoveries of N‐nitroso‐di‐n‐propylamine, N‐nitrosopiperidine, and N‐nitroso di‐n‐butylamine from spiked groundwater and tap water samples at concentrations of 2 μg/L of each analyte (mean ± standard deviation, n = 3) were (93.9 ± 8.7), (90.6 ± 10.7), and (103.7 ± 8.0)%, respectively. The method was applied to determine the N‐nitrosamines in water samples of different complexities, such as tap water, and groundwater, before and after treatment, in a local water treatment plant.     

Structure–activity relationship of N‐heterocyclic carbene–Pd(II)–imidazole complexes in Suzuki–Miyaura coupling between 4‐methoxyphenyl chloride and phenylboronic acid

A series of N‐heterocyclic carbene–PdCl₂–imidazole [NHC–Pd(II)–Im] complexes were synthesized and the structure of most of them was unambiguously determined by X‐ray single‐crystal diffraction. The structure–activity relationship of these complexes was investigated for the Suzuki–Miyaura coupling between 4‐methoxyphenyl chloride and phenylboronic acid, and the effect of the NHCs and Im moieties were fully discussed. The sterically hindered IPr‐based complex showed the highest catalytic activity. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Well‐defined pH‐sensitive block glycopolymers via reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer radical polymerization: Synthesis,characterization, and recognition with lectin

pH‐Sensitive block glycopolymers of poly(2‐(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDEAEMA) and poly(3‐O‐methacryloy‐α,β‐D ‐glucopyranose) (PMAGlc) were synthesized via reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) radical polymerization based on protected glycomonomer 3‐O‐methacryloyl‐1,2:5,6‐di‐O‐isopropylidene‐D ‐glucofuranose (MAIpGlc). It was found that RAFT homopolymerization of MAIpGlc proceeded in a controlled fashion with 4‐cyanopentanoic acid dithiobenzoate as chain transfer agent. Using the dithioester‐capped PDEAEMA as macro‐RAFT agent, block copolymerization of MAIpGlc was in good control as indicated by the linear pseudo first‐order kinetic plot, the linear increment of number‐average molecular weights as well as narrow and symmetrical gel permeation chromatography peaks, and low polydispersities. Well‐defined diblock copolymers of DEAEMA and MAIpGlc were prepared successfully through the chain extension of PDEAEMA. The deprotection of MAIpGlc units in trifluoroacetic acid/H₂O solution afforded PDEAEMA‐b‐PMAGlc block glycopolymer. The self‐assembly behavior of PDEAEMA‐b‐PMAGlc in aqueous solution was investigated by using ¹H NMR, UV‐vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy. The results demonstrated that spherical micelles with PDEAEMA as the hydrophobic cores and PMAGlc as the hydrophilic shells were formed in alkaline aqueous solution. These glucose‐installed micelles had specific recognition with Concanavalin A. The combination of pH‐sensitivity of PDEAEMA and biomolecular recognition of PMAGlc in one micellar system may create a multifunctional platform for targeted delivery, biomimetics, and biodection. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 3350–3361, 2010     

Heteroleptic (N‐heterocyclic carbene)–Pd–pyrazole (indazole) complexes: Synthesis,characterization and catalytic activities towards C–C and C–N cross‐coupling reactions

Eight heteroleptic palladium complexes containing both N‐heterocyclic carbenes and NH‐heterocycle azoles (pyrazole and indazole) were synthesized and characterized, and their structures were unambiguously confirmed using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Further investigation of the complexes as catalysts in the Suzuki–Miyaura reaction and Buchwald–Hartwig amination revealed good reactivities for aryl chlorides.     

Negative charge induced dissociation: fragmentation of deprotonated N‐benzylidene‐2‐hydroxylanilines in electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Unimolecular reactivities of different N‐benzylidene‐2‐hydroxylaniline anions were investigated in gas phase by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. All the collision‐induced dissociation spectra of N‐benzylidene‐2‐hydroxylaniline anions show similar ions at phenyl anions, neutral loss of benzonitrile and benzoxazole anions, respectively. The possible fragmentation pathway was probed through deuterium labeling and various group substituents experiments. Computational results were applied to shed light on the mechanism of fragmentation patterns. The proton in the CH=N is reactive in the formation of the concerned ions. Its direct transfer to the oxygen results in 2‐hydroxyphenyl anion. Proton abstraction between benzoxazole and phenyl anion leads to the formation of benzene and benzoxazole anion. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Magnetic‐based picolinaldehyde–melamine copper complex for the one‐pot synthesis of hexahydroquinolines via Hantzsch four‐component reactions

A picolinaldehyde–melamine copper complex was loaded on a magnetic Fe₃O₄ core, so that it contained 0.33 mmol of Cu per gram, and was used as an efficient catalyst. The as‐synthesized catalyst was characterized using various techniques, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry and thermogravimetric analysis. The catalyst was used to activate the raw materials in the synthesis of hexahydroquinoline derivatives in one‐pot four‐component reactions. Low reaction time (minutes versus half an hour), solvent‐free condition and magnetically separable catalyst are some salient features of the developed catalyst. Also, the optimum amount of catalyst and temperature were determined as 0.07 g and 87.6 °C, respectively, which were obtained using response surface methodology and optimization techniques.     

Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles–N‐heterocyclic carbene–palladium(II): a new,efficient and robust recyclable catalyst for Mizoroki–Heck and Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reactions

A new and efficient nanoparticle–N‐heterocyclic carbene–palladium complex was synthesized and characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis, X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, elemental analysis, inductively coupled plasma analysis and vibrating sample magnetometry. This catalytic system was found to be a highly active catalyst in the Mizoroki–Heck and Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reactions. These reactions were best performed in dimethylformamide and water, respectively, in the presence of only 0.054 mol% of palladium under mild conditions. Moreover, the catalyst could be recovered easily and reused at least ten times without any considerable loss of its catalytic activity. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.