Cisplatin and transplatin interaction with methionine: bonding motifs assayed by vibrational spectroscopy in the isolated ionic complexes

IRMPD spectroscopy discloses N- versus S-platination.

Cisplatin Primary Complex with l-Histidine Target Revealed by IR Multiple Photon Dissociation (IRMPD) Spectroscopy

The primary complex obtained from cisplatin and l-histidine in water has been detected and isolated by electrospray ionization. The so-obtained cis-[PtCl(NH₃ )₂ (histidine)]⁺ complex has been characterized in detail by high-resolution mass spectrometry (MS), tandem MS, IR multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy, and by quantum chemical calculations. The structural features revealed by IRMPD spectroscopy indicate that platinum binds to the imidazole group, which presents tautomeric forms. Thus, depending on the position of the amino acid pendant on the imidazole ring, isomeric complexes are formed that are remarkably different with respect to the ease with which they undergo fragmentation when activated either by energetic collisions or by multiple IR photon absorption. It is shown here how IRMPD kinetics can allow their relative proportions to be estimated.

Amino Acid Oxidation: A Combined Study of Cysteine Oxo Forms by IRMPD Spectroscopy and Simulations

The redox activity of cysteine sulfur allows numerous post-translational protein modifications involved in the oxidative regulation of metabolism, in metal binding, and in signal transduction. A combined approach based on infrared multiple photon dissociation spectroscopy at the Centre Laser Infrarouge d'Orsay (CLIO) free electron laser facility, calculations of IR frequencies, and finite temperature ab initio molecular dynamics simulations has been employed to characterize the gas-phase structures of deprotonated cysteine sulfenic, sulfinic, and sulfonic acids, [cysSO_x ]^- (x=1, 2, 3, representing the number of S-bound oxygen atoms), which are key intermediates in the redox-switching chemistry of proteins. The ions show different structural motifs owing to preferential binding of the proton to either the carboxylate or sulfur-containing group. Due to the decreasing basicity of the sulfenic, sulfinic, and sulfonic terminals, the proton bound to SO^- in [cysSO]^- migrates to the carboxylate in [cysSO₃ ]^- , whereas it turns out to be shared in [cysSO₂ ]^- . Evidence is gathered that a mixture of close-lying low-energy conformers is sampled for each cysteine oxo form in a Paul ion trap at room temperature.

IR spectrum of the protonated neurotransmitter 2-phenylethylamine: dispersion and anharmonicity of the NH3(+)-π interaction

The structure and dynamics of the highly flexible side chain of (protonated) phenylethylamino neurotransmitters are essential for their function. The geometric, vibrational, and energetic properties of the protonated neutrotransmitter 2-phenylethylamine (H(+)PEA) are characterized in the N-H stretch range by infrared photodissociation (IRPD) spectroscopy of cold ions using rare gas tagging (Rg = Ne and Ar) and anharmonic calculations at the B3LYP-D3/(aug-)cc-pVTZ level including dispersion corrections. A single folded gauche conformer (G) protonated at the basic amino group and stabilized by an intramolecular NH(+)-π interaction is observed. The dispersion-corrected density functional theory calculations reveal the important effects of dispersion on the cation-π interaction and the large vibrational anharmonicity of the NH3(+) group involved in the NH(+)-π hydrogen bond. They allow for assigning overtone and combination bands and explain anomalous intensities observed in previous IR multiple-photon dissociation spectra. Comparison with neutral PEA reveals the large effects of protonation on the geometric and electronic structure.

Serine O-sulfation probed by IRMPD spectroscopy

The sulfation of amino acids is a frequent post-translational modification. It is highly labile, though, and characterizing it by mass spectrometry, an otherwise powerful and widely exploited tool in analytical proteomics, is a challenge. The presently reported study is aimed at revealing the O-sulfation of l-serine and elucidating the effects of protonation and deprotonation on the structure and stability of the ensuing ionic species, [sSer + H](+) and [sSer - H](-). These ions are obtained as gaseous, isolated species by electrospray ionization, trapped in a Paul ion-trap, and sampled by IR multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy in either the 750-1900 cm(-1) fingerprint range, or the 2900 and 3700 cm(-1) range encompassing the N-H and O-H stretching modes. The recorded IRMPD spectra present diagnostic signatures of the sulfate modification which are missing in the spectra of the native serine ions, [Ser + H](+) and [Ser - H](-). The experimental IRMPD features have been interpreted by comparison with the linear IR spectra of the lowest energy structures that are likely candidates for the sampled ions, calculated at the M06-2X/6-311+G(d,p) level of theory. Evidence is gathered that the most stable conformations of [sSer + H](+) are stabilized by hydrogen bonding interactions between the protonated amino group and both the carbonyl and sulfate oxygens. [sSer - H](-) ions possess a negatively charged sulfate group involved in either a S=O···HN or a S=O···HO hydrogen bond. The experimental IRMPD spectra are consistent with the presence of multiple low-lying structures in a thermally equilibrated population of several species particularly in the case of [sSer - H](-) ions, where the high structural flexibility combined with the presence of a negative charge favors the co-existence of several different H-bonding motifs.

Elusive Sulfurous Acid: Gas-Phase Basicity and IR Signature of the Protonated Species

The ion corresponding to protonated sulfurous acid, H3SO3(+), has been successfully delivered into the gas phase by electrospray ionization of the solution of a suitable precursor and an in-source fragmentation process. The neutral acid is a highly elusive molecule. However, its gas-phase basicity has been ascertained by means of a kinetic study of proton-transfer reactivity. The structure of the H3SO3(+) sampled ion has been probed by IRMPD spectroscopy in two complementary IR frequency ranges in conjunction with density functional theory calculations and found to conform to a trihydroxosulfonium ion. The characteristic IR signatures may aid in deciphering the presence of this species in extraterrestrial atmospheres.

Nitrosyl–heme and anion–arene complexes: structure, reactivity and spectroscopy

Two topics are selected and illustrated to exemplify (i) a biological and (ii) an organic ionic intermediate. The reactivity behavior of NO adducts with ferric and ferrous hemes has shown remarkable similarities when examined in the gas phase, demonstrating that the largely different NO affinity displayed in solution and in biological media is due to the different coordination environment. In fact, ferrous hemes present a vacant or highly labile axial coordination site, prone to readily bind NO. The vibrational signatures of the NO ligand have also been probed in vacuo for the first time in the nitrosyl complexes deriving from ferrous and ferric hemes under strictly comparable five-coordination at the metal center. Negatively charged σ-adducts, from the association of anions with 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene, an exemplary π-electron-deficient arene, have been probed by IRMPD spectroscopy and found to display variable binding motifs from a strongly covalent σ-adduct (Meisenheimer complex) to a weakly covalent σ-complex, depending on the anion basicity.

Interaction of cisplatin with 5'-dGMP: a combined IRMPD and theoretical study

IR multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy of cis-[Pt(NH3)2(5'-dGMP-H)](+) and cis-[PtCl(NH3)2(5'-dGMP)](+) ions (where 5'-dGMP is 2'-deoxyguanosine-5'-monophosphate), generated in the gas phase by electrospray ionization, was performed in two spectral regions, namely, 700-1900 cm(-1) and 2800-3800 cm(-1). For structural assignment, experimental IRMPD spectra were compared to IR spectra computed at the B3LYP/LACV3P/6-311G** level of theory. In agreement with computational results, the vibrational spectroscopic characterization of the cis-[Pt(NH3)2(5'-dGMP-H)](+) ion points to macrochelate species resulting from the simultaneous interaction of the metal with both the N7 atom of the guanine residue and an O atom of the phosphate group, structures that bear features in common with those characterized in solution by NMR spectroscopy. Concerning the cis-[PtCl(NH3)2(5'-dGMP)](+) ion, our study points to a monodentate complex involving exclusively the N7 position of guanine, as observed in solution. Also this species exhibits a compact form due to the formation of two hydrogen bonds involving the same ammonia ligand. For both complexes, IRMPD experiments show that a strong intramolecular hydrogen bond is established between one ammonia hydrogen and the carbonyl group of guanine. The strength of this particular interaction can be qualitatively estimated by looking at the redshift of the CO vibration with respect to an unperturbed C═O stretching mode in the fingerprint region. This point is also highlighted in the X-H (X = N, O) stretch region, by the shift of the N-H stretch frequency as a function of the number of hydrogen bonds involving the ammonia ligand.

Cation-π interactions in protonated phenylalkylamines

Phenylalkylamines of the general formula C6H5(CH2)nNH2 (n = 1-4) have been delivered to the gas phase as protonated species using electrospray ionization. The ions thus formed have been assayed by IRMPD spectroscopy in two different spectroscopic domains, namely, the 600-1800 and the 3000-3500 cm(-1) regions using either an IR free electron laser or a tabletop OPO/OPA laser source. The interpretation of the experimental spectra is aided by density functional theory calculations of candidate species and vibrational frequency analyses. Protonated benzylamine presents a relatively straightforward instance of a single stable conformer, providing a trial case for the adopted approach. Turning to the higher homologues, C6H5(CH2)nNH3(+) (n = 2-4), more conformations become accessible. For each C6H5(CH2)nNH3(+) ion (n = 2-4), the most stable geometry is characterized by cation-π interactions between the positively charged ammonium group and the aromatic π-electronic system, permitted by the folding of the polymethylene chain. The IRMPD spectra of the sampled ions confirm the presence of the folded structures by comparison with the calculated IR spectra of the various possible conformers. An inspection of the NH stretching region is helpful in this regard.

Kinetic control in the CID-induced elimination of H3PO4 from phosphorylated serine probed using IRMPD spectroscopy

InfraRed Multiple Photon Dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy was used to assay the structural features of the fragment ions resulting from the elimination of H3PO4 in the Collision-Induced Dissociation (CID) of protonated serine. The results are interpreted with the aid of density functional theory calculations. Experiment and theory point to an aziridine-ring structure, implying participation of the vicinal amino group in the formation of this species. This finding constitutes a benchmark for investigating the same process in the CID of phosphorylated peptides.

Cyanide-arene Meisenheimer complex generated in electrospray ionization mass spectrometry using acetonitrile as a solvent

The C - C bond formation activated under negative electrospray ionization of an acetonitrile solution of 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene is reported. The solvent function is to provide a source of cyanide ion, a highly problematic reagent, which is found to attack the electron-deficient aromatic ring to form a covalently bound anionic complex (Meisenheimer complex). The structure of the complex is elucidated by means of collision induced dissociation mass spectrometry and IR multiple photon dissociation spectroscopy in the 'fingerprint' region.

Tandem mass spectrometry of nitric oxide and hydrogen sulfide releasing aspirins: a hint into activity behavior

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, ASA) is the most popular non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. However, due to its action on cyclooxygenase and its acid nature, aspirin is associated with adverse gastrointestinal effects. In an effort to minimize these side effects, NO-donor and H2S-donor ASA co-drugs have been designed and tested. Their mass spectrometric behavior is now analyzed and reported. Positive ions were obtained by electrospray ionization involving protonation or alkali metal attachment. Their dissociation processes have been studied by collision induced dissociation in a triple quadrupole instrument. High mass accuracy measurements have been recorded on a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer. The protonated molecules dissociate by an exclusive or largely prevailing path leading to acetyloxy-substituted benzoyl cation, namely an ASA unit. The process is reminiscent of the enzymatic hydrolysis, releasing intact ASA to a large extent. Only at higher collision energy does the formal ketene loss disrupt the ASA moiety. The gas phase chemistry of protonated ASA-releasing drugs develops along elementary dissociation steps analogous to the reactive processes in complex biological environments. This notion may provide a tool for preliminary testing of new compounds.