Gas phase charged aggregates of bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT) and divalent metal ions: first evidence of AOT solvated aggregates

Assembling and chelating properties of sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOTNa) towards divalent metal ions have been investigated in the gas phase by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. A variety of positively charged monometallated and mixed metal aggregates are formed. Interestingly, several ions contain solvent (MeOH, H(2)O) molecules and constitute the most abundant AOT cationic aggregates not containing sodium. These species are the first example of solvated AOT-metal ion aggregates in the gas phase. By increasing the surfactant aggregation number, the abundance of solvated species becomes lower than that of unsolvated ones. Decompositions of ionic species have been studied by tandem mass spectrometry, and their stability has been determined through energy resolved mass spectrometry. In contrast with positively charged AOT-alkaline metal ion aggregates, whose decompositions are dominated by the loss of individual surfactant molecules, AOTNa-divalent ion aggregates mainly dissociate through the cleavage of the AOT H(2)C-O bond followed by further intramolecular fragmentations. This finding, that is consistent with an enhanced chelation of divalent ions with AOT(-) head groups, has been taken as an indication that such aggregates are characterized by a reverse micelle-like organization with a ionic core formed by the metal cations interacting with the negatively charged surfactant polar heads, whereas the surfactant alkyl chains point outside.     

Structures and fragmentations of cobalt(II)-cysteine complexes in the gas phase

The electronebulization of a cobalt(II)/cysteine(Cys) mixture in water/methanol (50/50) produced mainly cobalt-cationized species. Three main groups of the Co-cationized species can be distinguished in the ESI-MS spectrum: (1) the cobalt complexes including the cysteine amino acid only (they can be singly charged, for example, [Co(Cys)n- H]+ with n = 1-3 or doubly charged such as [Co + (Cys)2]2+); (2) the cobalt complexes with methanol: [Co(CH3OH)n- H]+ with n = 1-3, [Co(CH3OH)4]2+; and (3) the complexes with the two different types of ligands: [Co(Cys)(CH3OH) - H]+. Only the singly charged complexes were observed. Collision-induced dissociation (CID) products of the [Co(Cys)2]2+, [Co(Cys)2 - H]+ and [Co(Cys) - H]+ complexes were studied as a function of the collision energy, and mechanisms for the dissociation reactions are proposed. These were supported by the results of deuterium labelling experiments and by density functional theory calculations. Since [Co(Cys) - H]+ was one of the main product ions obtained upon the CID of [Co(Cys)2]2+ and of [Co(Cys)2 - H]+ under low-energy conditions, the fragmentation pathways of [Co(Cys) - H]+ and the resulting product ion structures were studied in detail. The resulting product ion structures confirmed the high affinity of cobalt(II) for the sulfur atom of cysteine.     

A mass spectrometry and DFT study of pyrithione complexes with transition metals in the gas phase

2‐Mercaptopyridine N ‐oxide (pyrithione, PTOH) along with several transition metal ions forms coordination compounds displaying notable biological activities. Gas‐phase complexes formed between pyrithione and manganese (II), cobalt (II), nickel (II), copper (II), and zinc (II) were investigated by infusion in the electrospray source of a quadrupole‐time of flight mass spectrometer. Remarkably, positive ion mode spectra displayed the singly charged metal adduct ion [C₁₀H₈MN₂O₂S₂]²⁺ ([M(PTO)₂]^+• or [M(DPTO)]^+•), where DPTO is dipyrithione, 2,2′‐dithiobis(pyridine N ‐oxide), among the most abundant peaks, implying a change in the oxidation state of whether the metal ion or the ligands. In addition, doubly charged ions were recognized as metal adduct ions containing DPTO ligands, [M(DPTO)_n]²⁺. Generation of [M(PTO)₂]^+• / [M(DPTO)]^+• could be traced by CID of [M(DPTO)₂]²⁺, by observation of the sequential losses of a charged (PTO⁺) and a radical (PTO^•) deprotonated pyrithione ligand. The fragmentation pathways of [M(PTO)₂]^+• / [M(DPTO)]^+• were compared among the different metal ions, and some common features were noticed. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were employed to study the structures of the observed adduct ions, and especially, to decide in the adduct ion [M(PTO)₂]^+• / [M(DPTO)]^+• whether the ligands are 2 deprotonated pyrithiones or a single dipyrithione as well as the oxidation state of the metal ion in the complex. Characterization of gas‐phase pyrithione metal ion complexes becomes important, especially taking into account the presence of a redox‐active ligand in the complexes, because redox state changes that produce new species can have a marked effect on the overall toxicological/biological response elicited by the metal system.     

Characterization and application of a self‐aspirating electrospray source with pneumatic‐assisted ionization

A single gas‐assisted electrospray ion source developed for ambient mass spectrometry is introduced in this paper. Simultaneous self‐aspiration and electrospray could be achieved by using a constant sheath gas flow supplied from a mini air pump. A gas dynamic study of the spray module is carried out for structural optimization. The entire device exhibits a simplified design and has been systematically characterized through both simulated and experimental investigations. According to the results, the ion source exhibited satisfactory stability and the ability for quantitative operation in routine electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Furthermore, the ion source can be operated as a desorption electrospray ionization source to perform direct desorption/ionization of the solid samples. The versatile source described here appears to provide a practical approach to perform ambient mass spectrometry analysis with unrestricted sampling operation, and the extensive gas dynamic studies together with the experimental characterization are believed to be helpful in building self‐aspirating spray devices. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Methyl group transfer upon gas phase decomposition of protonated methyl benzoate and similar compounds

Gas phase decompositions of protonated methyl benzoate and its conjugates have been studied by using electrospray ionization‐collision induced dissociation‐tandem mass spectrometry. Loss of CO₂ molecule, thus transfer of methyl group, has been observed. In order to better understand this process, the theoretical calculations have been performed. For methyl benzoate conjugates, it has been found that position of substituent affects the loss of CO₂ molecule, not the electron donor/withdrawing properties of the substituent. Therefore, electrospray ionization‐mass spectrometry in positive ion mode may be useful for differentiation of isomers of methyl benzoate conjugates.     

Characterization of gas phase aggregates of bis(2‐ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT) and divalent metal ions. Elimination of radical species in the decomposition pathways of even‐electron [AOTMIICl2]– anions

Structure and properties of even‐electron anionic species formed by bis(2‐ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT) and divalent metal ions (M^II) with stoichiometry [AOTM^IICl₂]^– have been investigated by using electrospray ionization and different mass spectrometry techniques, such as high resolution, accurate mass measurements, collision‐induced dissociation (CID) multiple‐stage mass spectrometry. Owing to CID, eliminations of neutrals, mainly consisting in hydrochloric acid, 2‐ethyl‐1‐hexene and 2‐ethylhexanol, and an unexpected loss of an alkyl radical have been observed. The radical anions [C₄HO₆SM^IICl]^–? so produced have been characterized by MS³ experiments. Density functional theory calculations have been carried out for investigating structure and stability of the ionic species formed in the decomposition pathways. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Identification of glucuronide conjugates of ketobemidone and its phase I metabolites in human urine utilizing accurate mass and tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry

The glucuronide conjugates of ketobemidone, norketobemidone and hydroxymethoxyketobemidone were identified in human urine post-intravenous administration of Ketogan Novum. The human urine was extracted on a mixed-mode solid-phase micro-column before analysis with liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-TOF-MS) and tandem MS (MS/MS). Accurate mass and collision-induced dissociation product ion spectra were used for identification of the glucuronide conjugates. Two different TOF mass spectrometers were used and the accurate mass measurements were performed on three separate days with each instrument. The accuracy of the mass measurements was better than 2.1 ppm for two out of three conjugates and the inter-day relative standard deviation was within +/-0.00049%. The MS/MS fragmentation patterns of the conjugates were in accordance with those of the synthetic aglycones and included peaks originating from the [M + H](+) ion of the respective aglycone.     

Observation of an unusually facile fragmentation pathway of gas-phase peptide ions: a study on the gas-phase fragmentation mechanism and energetics of tryptic peptides modified with 4-sulfophenyl isothiocyanate (SPITC) and 4-chlorosulfophenyl isocyanate (SPC) and their 18-crown-6 complexes

Various peptide modifications have been explored recently to facilitate the acquisition of sequence information. N-terminal sulfonation is an interesting modification because it allows unambiguous de novo sequencing of peptides, especially in conjunction with MALDI-PSD-TOF analysis; such modified peptide ions undergo fragmentation at energies lower than those required conventionally for unmodified peptide ions. In this study, we systematically investigated the fragmentation mechanisms of N-terminal sulfonated peptide ions prepared using two different N-terminal sulfonation reagents: 4-sulfophenyl isothiocyanate (SPITC) and 4-chlorosulfophenyl isocyanate (SPC). Collision-induced dissociation (CID) of the SPC-modified peptide ions produced a set of y-series ions that were more evenly distributed relative to those observed for the SPITC-modified peptides; y(n-1) ion peaks were consistently and significantly larger than the signals of the other y-ions. We experimentally investigated the differences between the dissociation energies of the SPITC- and SPC-modified peptide ions by comparing the MS/MS spectra of the complexes formed between the crown ether 18-crown-6 (CE) and the modified peptides. Upon CID, the complexes formed between 18-crown-6 ether and the protonated amino groups of C-terminal lysine residues underwent either peptide backbone fragmentation or complex dissociation. Although the crown ether complexes of the unmodified ([M + CE + 2H]2+) and SPC-modified ([M* + CE + 2H]2+) peptides underwent predominantly noncovalent complex dissociation upon CID, the low-energy dissociations of the crown ether complexes of the SPITC-modified peptides ([M' + CE + 2H]2+) unexpectedly resulted in peptide backbone fragmentations, along with a degree of complex dissociation. We performed quantum mechanical calculations to address the energetics of fragmentations observed for the modified peptides.     

Electrostatic and Non‐covalent Interactions in Dicationic Imidazolium–Sulfonium Salts with Mixed Anions

A series of thioether‐functionalised imidazolium salts have been prepared and characterized. Subsequent reaction of the thioether‐functionalised imidazolium salts with iodomethane affords imidazolium–sulfonium salts composed of doubly charged cations and two different anions. Imidazolium–sulfonium salts containing a single anion type are obtained either by a solvent extraction method or by anion exchange. The imidazolium–sulfonium salts undergo a methyl‐transfer reaction on exposure to water, giving rise to a new, singly charged imidazolium salt with iodide introduced at the 2‐position of the imidazolium ring. Crystal structures of some of the imidazolium–sulfonium salts were determined by X‐ray crystallography providing the topology of the interactions between the dications and the anions. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and quantum‐chemical calculations were used to rationalise the relative strength of these interactions.     

The ESI CAD fragmentations of protonated 2,4,6‐tris(benzylamino)‐ and tris(benzyloxy)‐1,3,5‐triazines involve benzyl–benzyl interactions: a DFT study

The electrospray ionization collisionally activated dissociation (CAD) mass spectra of protonated 2,4,6‐tris(benzylamino)‐1,3,5‐triazine (1) and 2,4,6‐tris(benzyloxy)‐1,3,5‐triazine (6) show abundant product ion of m/z 181 (C₁₄H₁₃⁺). The likely structure for C₁₄H₁₃⁺ is α‐[2‐methylphenyl]benzyl cation, indicating that one of the benzyl groups must migrate to another prior to dissociation of the protonated molecule. The collision energy is high for the ‘N’ analog (1) but low for the ‘O’ analog (6) indicating that the fragmentation processes of 1 requires high energy. The other major fragmentations are [M + H‐toluene]⁺ and [M + H‐benzene]⁺ for compounds 1 and 6, respectively. The protonated 2,4,6‐tris(4‐methylbenzylamino)‐1,3,5‐triazine (4) exhibits competitive eliminations of p‐xylene and 3,6‐dimethylenecyclohexa‐1,4‐diene. Moreover, protonated 2,4,6‐tris(1‐phenylethylamino)‐1,3,5‐triazine (5) dissociates via three successive losses of styrene. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate that an ion/neutral complex (INC) between benzyl cation and the rest of the molecule is unstable, but the protonated molecules of 1 and 6 rearrange to an intermediate by the migration of a benzyl group to the ring ‘N’. Subsequent shift of a second benzyl group generates an INC for the protonated molecule of 1 and its product ions can be explained from this intermediate. The shift of a second benzyl group to the ring carbon of the first benzyl group followed by an H‐shift from ring carbon to ‘O’ generates the key intermediate for the formation of the ion of m/z 181 from the protonated molecule of 6. The proposed mechanisms are supported by high resolution mass spectrometry data, deuterium‐labeling and CAD experiments combined with DFT calculations. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

黄连中小檗碱及其同分异构体的电喷雾质谱研究

利用电喷雾多级串联质谱对黄连经水提、醇沉、薄层色谱分离后，得到的组分进行了详细研究，并对其中小檗碱及其同分异构体表小檗碱的分子离子[M ]进行了源内碰撞诱导解离(CID)，在不同源内CID能量(25％，50％)下碰撞诱解离时存在区别，并提出其碎裂机理方面的解释。     

Characterization of aconitine-type alkaloids in the flowers of Aconitum kusnezoffii by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

The fragmentation mechanism of aconitine-type alkaloids in the flowers of Aconitum kusnezoffii (FAK) was investigated using electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS(n)) firstly. The analysis of the collision-induced dissociation (CID) spectra of three purified aconitine standards and six previously reported aconitines indicated that the fragmentation of the protonated aconitines at low-energy CID follows a similar pathway. The elimination of a C(8)-substituent such as an acetic acid or a fatty acid is the dominant fragmentation mode in MS2. Successive losses of CH(3)COOH, CH(3)OH, H(2)O, BzOH, and CO are the main fragmentation pathways of aconitine-type alkaloids in MS(3) spectra. Based on these features, a rapid method for the direct detection and characterization of alkaloids from an ethanolic extract of FAK is described. All the known aconitum alkaloids are detected and a series of lipo-aconitines has been found for the first time in this plant.     

Liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry method for the assay of glucosamine sulfate in human plasma: validation and application to a pharmacokinetic study

A liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS) method was developed and validated for the assay of glucosamine sulfate in human plasma. Plasma proteins were precipitated by acetonitrile, followed by vortex mixing and centrifugation. The supernatant was transferred and derivatized with phenyl iso-thiocyanate in acetonitrile at 60 degrees C for 40 min. Chromatographic separation was performed on a C(18) column (Inertsil ODS-3 150 x 2.1 mm i.d., 5 microm, JP) with a mobile phase gradient consisting of 0.2% acetic acid (aqueous) and methanol at a flow-rate of 0.3 mL/min. MS detection using electrospray ionization (ESI) as an interface was used in single ion monitoring mode to determine positive ions at m/z 297. This method was shown to be selective and sensitive for glucosamine sulfate. The limit of detection was 35 ng/mL for glucosamine sulfate in plasma and the linear range was 0.1-20 microg/mL in plasma with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.9991. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) of intra-day and inter-day assays were 8.7-11.4 and 9.8-12.6%, respectively. Extraction recoveries of glucosamine sulfate in plasma were greater than 73%. This method proved to be simple, reproducible and feasible for pharmacokinetic studies of glucosamine sulfate in healthy volunteers after a single oral administration (1500 mg). The pharmacokinetic parameters and relative bioavailabilities were investigated for both domestic glucosamine sulfate tablet and capsule preparations compared with an imported capsule product.     

Unimolecular reactivity of strong metal-cation complexes in the gas phase: ethylenediamine-Cu(+)

The gas-phase reactions between ethylenediamine (en) and Cu(+) have been investigated by means of mass spectrometry techniques. The MIKE spectrum reveals that the adduct ions [Cu(+)(H(2)NCH(2)CH(2)NH(2))] spontaneously decompose by loosing H(2), NH(3) and HCu, the loss of hydrogen being clearly dominant. The spectra of the fully C-deuterated species show the loss of HD, NH(3) and CuD but no losses of H(2), D(2), NH(2)D, NHD(2), ND(3) or CuH are observed. This clearly excludes hydrogen exchange between the methylene and the amino groups as possible mechanisms for the loss of ammonia. Conversely, methylene hydrogen atoms are clearly involved in the loss of molecular hydrogen. The structures and bonding characteristics of the Cu(+)(en) complexes as well as the different stationary points of the corresponding potential energy surface (PES) have been theoretically studied by DFT calculations carried out at B3LYP/6-311+G(2df,2p)//B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) level. Based on the topology of this PES the most plausible mechanisms for the aforementioned unimolecular fragmentations are proposed. Our theoretical estimates indicate that Cu(+) strongly binds to en, by forming a chelated structure in which Cu(+) is bridging between both amino groups. The binding energy is quite high (84 kcal mol(-1)), but also the products of the unimolecular decomposition of Cu(+)(en) complexes are strongly bound Cu(+)-complexes.     

Unimolecular reactivity of uracil-Cu(2+) complexes in the gas phase.

The gas-phase interaction of copper(II) ions with uracil are studied by means of mass spectrometry and B3LYP/6-311+G(2df,2p)//B3LYP/6-31G(d) calculations. Positive-ion electrospray spectra show that the reaction of uracil with copper(II) gives rise to singly charged species, whereby the [Cu(uracil--H)](+) complex is the most intense ion in the spectra at low concentration. Mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (MS/MS) experiments show that the loss of HNCO and NCO are the dominant fragmentation processes, accompanied by a minor loss of CO. A systematic study of the spectra obtained with different labeled species, namely, 2-(13)C- (m/z 175), 2-(13)C,1,3-(15)N(2)- (m/z 177) and 3-(15)N-uracil (m/z 175), concludes unambiguously that both the loss of HNCO and NCO involve exclusively C2 and N3, whereas only C4 is involved in the loss of CO. Suitable mechanisms for these fragmentation processes are proposed through a theoretical survey of the corresponding potential energy surface. In these mechanisms, pi complexes, which lie high in energy with respect to the global minimum, play a significant role in the loss of NCO; this explains why both products, HNCO and NCO involve the same atoms of the ring.     

Accurate mass measurements by Fourier transform mass spectrometry in the study of advanced glycation end products/peptides

The Maillard reaction occurring between sugars and amino groups is important in living systems. When amino groups belonging to protein chains are involved, the Maillard reaction has been invoked as responsible for protein cross-linking and the production of 'toxic' compounds. The reaction leads to the production of a heterogeneous group of substances, usually called advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Classical analytical approaches, such as spectroscopic (ultraviolet, fluorescence) and mass spectrometric (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization, liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry) methods, have shown that the digestion mixture is highly complex. However, there are clear differences between the digestion mixtures of glycated and unglycated human serum albumin (HSA). In the former case, possible glycated peptides belonging to the AGE peptide class may be identified. Tandem mass spectrometric experiments on selected species seemed to be promising as regards structural information, but it was thought of interest to undertake the present investigation, based on liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization Fourier transform mass spectrometry, in order to obtain definitive results on their elemental composition. Using this approach, about 20 glycated peptides were detected and their possible structures were postulated by examining the known sequence of HSA.     

Relationships between structure,ionization profile and sensitivity of exogenous anabolic steroids under electrospray ionization and analysis in human urine using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

The relationships between the ionization profile, sensitivity, and structures of 64 exogenous anabolic steroids (groups I–IV) was investigated under electrospray ionization (ESI) conditions. The target analytes were ionized as [M + H]⁺ or [M + H–nH₂O]⁺ in the positive mode, and these ions were used as precursor ions for selected reaction monitoring analysis. The collision energy and Q3 ions were optimized based on the sensitivity and selectivity. The limits of detection (LODs) were 0.05–20 ng/mL for the 64 steroids. The LODs for 38 compounds, 14 compounds and 12 compounds were in the range of 0.05–1, 2–5 and 10–20 ng/mL, respectively. Steroids including the conjugated keto‐functional group at C3 showed good proton affinity and stability, and generated the [M + H]⁺ ion as the most abundant precursor ion. In addition, the LODs of steroids using the [M + H]⁺ ion as the precursor ion were mostly distributed at low concentrations. In contrast, steroids containing conjugated/unconjugated hydroxyl functional groups at C3 generated [M + H ? H₂O]⁺ or [M + H ? 2H₂O]⁺ ions, and these steroids showed relatively high LODs owing to poor stability and multiple ion formation. An LC‐MS/MS method based on the present ionization profile was developed and validated for the determination of 78 steroids (groups I–V) in human urine. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.