Coupling of ion-molecule reactions with liquid chromatography on a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer

Ion-molecule reactions of mass-selected ions

Gas-phase reactions of mass-selected ions with neutrals covers a very broad area of fundamental and applied mass spectrometry (MS). Oftentimes, ion-molecule reactions (IMR) can serve as a viable alternative to collision-induced dissociation and other ion dissociation techniques when using tandem MS. This review focuses on the literature pertaining applications of IMR since 2013. During the past decade considerable efforts have been made in analytical applications of IMR, including advances in one of the major techniques for characterization of unsaturated fatty acids and lipids, ozone-induced dissociation, and the development of a new technique for sequencing of large ions, hydrogen atom attachment/abstraction dissociation. Many advances have also been made in identifying gas-phase chemistry specific to a functional group in organic and biological compounds, which are useful in structure elucidation of analytes and differentiation of isomers/isobars. With "soft" ionization techniques like electrospray ionization having become mainstream for quite some time now, the efforts in the area of metal ion catalysis have firmly moved into exploring chemistry of ligated metal complexes in their "natural" oxidation states allowing to model individual steps of mechanisms in homogeneous catalysis, especially in combination with high-level DFT calculations. Finally, IMR continue to contribute to the body of knowledge in the area of chemistry of interstellar processes.

A Portable Reagent Inlet System Designed to Diminish the Impact of Air and Water to Ion-Molecule Reactions Studied in a Linear Quadrupole Ion Trap

A portable reagent inlet system for a linear quadrupole ion trap (LQIT) mass spectrometer was designed to diminish the impact of air and water on gas-phase ion-molecule reactions. Compared to the traditional reagent mixing manifolds that has been extensively used for decades, the portable system is much simpler and has fewer junctions and a smaller inner space. These changes reduce the amount of air and water introduced into the mass spectrometer with the reagent. Furthermore, unlike the traditional manifolds, the portable system can be easily attached to or detached from the LQIT mass spectrometer. Finally, the price of the portable system is only 1/10 of that of a traditional manifold as estimated in 2022. Therefore, the portable system has several advantages over the traditional reagent mixing manifolds.

Determination of the compound class and functional groups in protonated analytes via diagnostic gas-phase ion-molecule reactions

Diagnostic gas-phase ion-molecule reactions serve as a powerful alternative to collision-activated dissociation for the structural elucidation of analytes when using tandem mass spectrometry. The use of such ion-molecule reactions has been demonstrated to provide a robust tool for the identification of specific functional groups in unknown ionized analytes, differentiation of isomeric ions, and classification of unknown ions into different compound classes. During the past several years, considerable efforts have been dedicated to exploring various reagents and reagent inlet systems for functional-group selective ion-molecule reactions with protonated analytes. This review provides a comprehensive coverage of literature since 2006 on general and predictable functional-group selective ion-molecule reactions of protonated analytes, including simple monofunctional and complex polyfunctional analytes, whose mechanisms have been explored computationally. Detection limits for experiments involving high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry based on ion-molecule reactions and the application of machine learning to predict diagnostic ion-molecule reactions are also discussed.

Generation, Characterization, and Dissociation of Radical Cations Derived from Prolyl-glycyl-glycine

Radical cations of an aliphatic tripeptide prolyl-glycyl-glycine (PGG^•+) and its sequence ions [a₃ + H]^•+ and [b₂ - H]^•+ have been generated by collision-induced dissociation of the [Cu(Phen)(PGG)]^•2+ complex, where Phen = 1,10-phenanthroline. Infrared multiple photon dissociation spectroscopy, ion-molecule reaction experiments, and theoretical calculations have been used to investigate the structures of these ions. The unpaired electron in these three radical cations is located at different α-carbons. The PGG^•+ radical cation has a captodative structure with the radical at the α-carbon of the proline residue and the proton on the oxygen of the first amide group. This structure is at the global minimum on the potential energy surface (PES). By contrast, the [a₃ + H]^•+ and [b₂ - H]^•+ ions are not the lowest-energy structures on their respective PESs, and their radicals are formally located at the C-terminal and second α-carbons, respectively. Density functional theory calculations on the structures of the ternary copper(II) complex ion suggest that the charge-solvated isomer of the metal complex is the precursor ion that dissociates to give the PGG^•+ radical cation. The isomer of the complex in which PGG is bound as a zwitterion dissociates to give the [a₃ + H]^•+ and [b₂ - H]^•+ ions.

Integration of a Multichannel Pulsed-Valve Inlet System to a Linear Quadrupole Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer for the Rapid Consecutive Introduction of Nine Reagents for Diagnostic Ion/Molecule Reactions

Gas-phase ion/molecule reactions have been used extensively for the structural elucidation of organic compounds in tandem mass spectrometry. Reagents for ion/molecule reactions can be introduced into a mass spectrometer via a continuous flow apparatus or through a pulsed inlet system. However, most of these approaches enable the use of only a single reagent at a time. In this work, a multichannel pulsed-valve inlet system was developed for the rapid consecutive introduction of up to nine different reagents or reagent systems into a linear quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer for diagnostic gas-phase ion/molecule reactions. Automated triggering of the pulsed valves enabled these experiments to be performed on the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) time scale. This enables high-throughput screening of several functionalities in analytes as they elute from an HPLC column.

Role of Ligand in the Selective Production of Hydrogen from Formic Acid Catalysed by the Mononuclear Cationic Zinc Complexes [(L)Zn(H)]+ (L=tpy, phen, and bpy)

A series of zinc-based catalysts was evaluated for their efficiency in decomposing formic acid into molecular hydrogen and carbon dioxide in the gas phase using quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry experiments. The effectiveness of the catalysts in the series [(L)Zn(H)]⁺ , where L=2,2':6',2''-terpyridine (tpy), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) or 2,2'-bipyrydine (bpy), was found to depend on the ligand used, which turned out to be fundamental in tuning the catalytic properties of the zinc complex. Specifically, [(tpy)Zn(H)]⁺ displayed the fastest reaction with formic acid proceeding by dehydrogenation to produce the zinc formate complex [(tpy)Zn(O₂ CH)]⁺ and H₂ . The catalysts [(L)Zn(H)]⁺ are reformed by decarboxylating the zinc formate complexes [(L)Zn(O₂ CH)]⁺ by collision-induced dissociation, which is the only reaction channel for each of the ligands used. The decarboxylation reaction was found to be reversible, since the zinc hydride complexes [(L)Zn(H)]⁺ react with carbon dioxide yielding the zinc formate complex. This reaction was again substantially faster for L=tpy than L=phen or bpy. The energetics and mechanisms of these processes were modelled using several levels of density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Experimental results are fully supported by the computational predictions.

Using differential ion mobility spectrometry to perform class-specific ion-molecule reactions of 4-quinolones with selected chemical reagents

Gas phase ion/molecule reactions are often used in analytical applications to support the analysis of isomers or to identify specific functional groups of organic molecules. Until now, deliberate chemical reactions have not been performed in differential ion mobility spectrometry (DMS) devices except for hydrogen exchange and cluster formation. The present work extends that of Colorado and Brodbelt (Anal Chem 66:2330-5, 1994) on ion/molecule reactions in an ion trap mass spectrometer. In this study, class-specific chemical reactions of 4-quinolone antibiotics with various chemical reagents were used to demonstrate the analytical utility of ion/molecule reactions in a DMS drift cell. For these reactions, dehydrated reactive precursor ions were initially formed and made to undergo annulation reactions with selected reagents within the timescale of the DMS separation. Careful study of the energies required for dissociation of the adducts confirmed the covalent nature of the newly formed bond; thus demonstrating the analytical utility of this approach. Graphical abstract.

Hydrogen atom transfer in the radical cations of tryptophan-containing peptides AW and WA studied by mass spectrometry, infrared multiple-photon dissociation spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations

Two types of radical cations of tryptophan-the π-radical cation and the protonated tryptophan-N radical-have been studied in dipeptides AW and WA. The π-radical cation produced by removal of an electron during collision-induced dissociation of a ternary Cu(II) complex was only observed for the AW peptide. In the case of WA, only the ion corresponding to the loss of ammonia, [WA-NH₃] ^•+, was observed from the copper complex. Both protonated tryptophan-N radicals were produced by N-nitrosylation of the neutral peptides followed by transfer to the gas phase via electrospray ionization and subsequent collision-induced dissociation. The regiospecifically formed N^• species were characterized by infrared multiple-photon dissociation spectroscopy which revealed that the WA tryptophan-N^• radical remains the nitrogen radical, while the AW nitrogen radical rearranges into the π-radical cation. These findings are supported by the density functional theory calculations that suggest a relatively high barrier for the radical rearrangement (N^• to π) in WA (156.3 kJ mol^-1) and a very low barrier in AW (6.1 kJ mol^-1). The facile hydrogen atom migration in the AW system is also supported by the collision-induced dissociation of the tryptophan-N radical species that produces fragments characteristic of the tryptophan π-radical cation. Gas-phase ion-molecule reactions with n-propyl thiol have also been used to differentiate between the π-radical cations (react by hydrogen abstraction) and the tryptophan-N^• species (unreactive) of AW.

Identification of Carboxylate, Phosphate, and Phenoxide Functionalities in Deprotonated Molecules Related to Drug Metabolites via Ion-Molecule Reactions with water and Diethylhydroxyborane

Tandem mass spectrometry based on ion-molecule reactions has emerged as a powerful tool for structural elucidation of ionized analytes. However, most currently used reagents were designed to react with protonated analytes, making them suboptimal for acidic analytes that are preferentially detected in negative ion mode. In this work we demonstrate that the phenoxide, carboxylate, and phosphate functionalities can be identified in deprotonated molecules by use of a combination of two reagents, diethylmethoxyborane (DEMB) and water. A novel reagent introduction setup that allowed DEMB and water to be separately introduced into the ion trap region of the mass spectrometer was developed to facilitate fundamental studies of this reaction. A new reagent, diethylhydroxyborane (DEHB), was generated inside the ion trap by hydrolysis of DEMB on introduction of water. Most carboxylates and phenoxides formed a DEHB adduct, followed by addition of one water molecule and subsequent ethane elimination (DEHB adduct +H₂O - CH₃CH₃) as the major product ion. Phenoxides with a hydroxy group adjacent to the deprotonation site and phosphates formed a DEHB adduct, followed by ethane elimination (DEHB adduct - CH₃CH₃). Deprotonated molecules with strong intramolecular hydrogen bonds or without the aforementioned functionalities, including sulfates, were unreactive toward DEHB/H₂O. Reaction mechanisms were explored via isotope labeling experiments and quantum chemical calculations. The mass spectrometry method allowed the differentiation of phenoxide-, carboxylate-, phosphate-, and sulfate-containing analytes. Finally, it was successfully coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography for the analysis of a mixture containing hymecromone, a biliary spasm drug, and its three possible metabolites. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.

Investigation of Fragmentation of Tryptophan Nitrogen Radical Cation

This work describes investigation of the fragmentation mechanism of tryptophan N-indolyl radical cation, H3N(+)-TrpN(•) (m/z 204) studied via DFT calculations and several gas-phase experimental techniques. The main fragment ion at m/z 131, shown to be a mixture of up to four isomers including 3-methylindole (3MI) π-radical cation, was found to undergo further loss of an H atom to yield one of the two isomeric m/z 130 ions. 3-Methylindole radical cation generated independently (via CID of [Cu(II)(terpy)3MI](•2+)) displayed gas-phase reactivity partially similar to that of the m/z 131 fragment, further confirming our proposed mechanism. CID of deuterated tryptophan N-indolyl radical cation (m/z 208) suggested that up to six H atoms are involved in the pathway to formation of the m/z 131 ion, consistent with hydrogen atom scrambling during CID of protonated Trp.

Gas-phase tyrosine-to-cysteine radical migration in model systems

Radical migration, both intramolecular and intermolecular, from the tyrosine phenoxyl radical Tyr(O(∙)) to the cysteine radical Cys(S(∙)) in model peptide systems was observed in the gas phase. Ion-molecule reactions (IMRs) between the radical cation of homotyrosine and propyl thiol resulted in a fast hydrogen atom transfer. In addition, radical cations of the peptide LysTyrCys were formed via two different methods, affording regiospecific production of Tyr(O(∙)) or Cys(S(∙)) radicals. Collision-induced dissociation of these isomeric species displayed evidence of radical migration from the oxygen to sulfur, but not for the reverse process. This was supported by theoretical calculations, which showed the Cys(S(∙)) radical slightly lower in energy than the Tyr(O(∙)) isomer. IMRs of the LysTyrCys radical cation with allyl iodide further confirmed these findings. A mechanism for radical migration involving a proton shuttle by the C-terminal carboxylic group is proposed.

Multiported pulsed valve interface for a linear quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer to enable rapid screening of multiple functional-group selective ion-molecule reactions

Ion-molecule reactions provide a powerful tool for structural elucidation of ionized pharmaceutical analytes in tandem mass spectrometry. However, all previous interfaces for the introduction of reagents for ion-molecule reactions have utilized a single reagent approach. In this study, a multiported pulsed valve system was designed and characterized for rapid introduction of three neutral reagents into a linear quadrupole ion trap. Additionally, automatic triggering was used to allow for the introduction of the reagents on a chromatographic time scale. This system enables automatic, high throughput screening of complex mixtures by using at least three different ion-molecule reactions. Further, rapid testing of new neutral reagents is also possible.

Probing the exposure of the phosphate group in modified amino acids and peptides by ion-molecule reactions with triethoxyborane in Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry

RATIONALE

Intramolecular hydrogen bonds between a phosphate group and charged residues play a crucial role in the chemistry of phosphorylated peptides, driving the species to specific conformations and affecting the exposure of the phosphate moiety. The nature and extent of these interactions can be investigated by measuring the reactivity of phosphate groups toward selected substrates in the gas phase.

METHODS

We used Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometry (MS) to perform a systematic study on the gas-phase ionic reactivity of phosphorylated amino acids and peptides with triethoxyborane (TEB). Ions of interest were generated by electrospray ionization (ESI), isolated in the cell of the FT-ICR mass spectrometer, and allowed to react with a stationary pressure of TEB. The temporal evolution of the reaction was monitored and thermal rate constants were derived. The structure of the ionic products was confirmed by Collision-Induced Dissociation (CID) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS).

RESULTS

TEB was found to react with the phosphate of protonated phosphorylated amino acids and peptides by an addition-elimination pathway. The kinetic efficiency of the reaction showed a positive correlation with the charge state of the reagent ion, suggesting the existence of charge-state-dependent exposure of the phosphate groups towards the incoming neutral during the reaction. Isomeric phosphorylated peptides, only differing for the position of the modified serine residue, showed markedly different kinetic efficiencies.

CONCLUSIONS

The ability of a phosphorylated species to react with TEB depends on the ease of access to the phosphate moiety in the corresponding gaseous ion. Measuring the kinetic efficiency of such reactions can represent a valuable tool to explore the accessibility of phosphate groups in biomolecules.

Characterization of a DAPI-RIT-DAPI system for gas-phase ion/molecule and ion/ion reactions

The discontinuous atmospheric pressure interface (DAPI) has been developed as a facile means for efficiently introducing ions generated at atmospheric pressure to an ion trap in vacuum [e.g., a rectilinear ion trap (RIT)] for mass analysis. Introduction of multiple beams of ions or neutral species through two DAPIs into a single RIT has been previously demonstrated. In this study, a home-built instrument with a DAPI-RIT-DAPI configuration has been characterized for the study of gas-phase ion/molecule and ion/ion reactions. The reaction species, including ions or neutrals, can be introduced from both ends of the RIT through the two DAPIs without complicated ion optics or differential pumping stages. The primary reactant ions were isolated prior to reaction and the product ions were mass analyzed after controlled reaction time period. Ion/molecule reactions involving peptide radical ions and proton-transfer ion/ion reactions have been carried out using this instrument. The gas dynamic effect due to the DAPI operation on internal energy deposition and the reactivity of peptide radical ions has been characterized. The DAPI-RIT-DAPI system also has a unique feature for allowing the ion reactions to be carried out at significantly elevated pressures (in 10(-1) Torr range), which has been found to be helpful to speed up the reactions. The viability and flexibility of the DAPI-RIT-DAPI system for the study of gas-phase ion reactions have been demonstrated.

Utilisation of gas-phase ion-molecule reactions for differentiation between phospho- and sulfocarbohydrates

Gas-phase ion-molecule reactions of four boron-containing neutrals were explored as a means for differentiation between isobaric phospho- and sulfocarbohydrates. Phosphorylation and sulfation impose an addition of 80 Da to the molecular mass, so for low-resolution mass spectrometers compounds that have such modifications will appear at the same nominal mass-to-charge (m/z) ratio. However, the ions of these isobaric species behave differently in ion-molecule reactions. All four evaluated neutral molecules [trimethyl borate (TMB), triethyl borate (TEB), diethylmethoxyborane (DEMB) and diisopropoxymethylborane (DIPMB)] proved to be reactive towards phosphorylated sugars and unreactive towards sulfated carbohydrates. In addition, TMB and TEB were found suitable for distinguishing positional isomers of phosphorylated carbohydrates, while reactions with DEMB and DIPMB were successful in differentiating phosphorylated, sulfated and unmodified deprotonated sugars. Similar reactions in the positive ion mode (alkali cationised) were found to be less conclusive.

Evaluation of various silicon-and boron-containing compounds for the detection of phosphorylation in peptides via gas-phase ion-molecule reactions

Gas-phase ion-molecule reactions [IMR] of various boron- and silicon-containing neutrals were investigated as a potential route for detecting phosphorylation within peptides in the negative ion mode. Trimethyl borate (TMB), triethyl borate (TEB) and N,O- Bis(trimethylsilyl)acetamide (TMSA), unlike diethylmethoxyborane (DEMB), diisopropoxymethylborane [DiPMB] and chlorotrimethylsi- Lane (TMSCIL], reacted differently if a phosphate moiety was present and thus are suitable to detect phosphorylation. During multistage collision-induced dissociation experiments of the reaction products of IMR with TMB and TEB, the [LSsF - 4H + B]- ion formed a modified y2 fragment allowing the phosphorylation site to be assigned, unlike reaction products of DEMB and DiPMB which lost both the phos- phoric acid and the boron-containing moiety.

Structure and reactivity of the distonic and aromatic radical cations of tryptophan

In this work, we regiospecifically generate and compare the gas-phase properties of two isomeric forms of tryptophan radical cations-a distonic indolyl N-radical (H3N(+) - TrpN(•)) and a canonical aromatic π (Trp(•+)) radical cation. The distonic radical cation was generated by nitrosylating the indole nitrogen of tryptophan in solution followed by collision-induced dissociation (CID) of the resulting protonated N-nitroso tryptophan. The π-radical cation was produced via CID of the ternary [Cu(II)(terpy)(Trp)](•2+) complex. CID spectra of the two isomeric species were found to be very different, suggesting no interconversion between the isomers. In gas-phase ion-molecule reactions, the distonic radical cation was unreactive towards n-propylsulfide, whereas the π radical cation reacted by hydrogen atom abstraction. DFT calculations revealed that the distonic indolyl radical cation is about 82 kJ/mol higher in energy than the π radical cation of tryptophan. The low reactivity of the distonic nitrogen radical cation was explained by spin delocalization of the radical over the aromatic ring and the remote, localized charge (at the amino nitrogen). The lack of interconversion between the isomers under both trapping and CID conditions was explained by the high rearrangement barrier of ca.137 kJ/mol. Finally, the two isomers were characterized by infrared multiple-photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy in the ~1000-1800 cm(-1) region. It was found that some of the main experimental IR features overlap between the two species, making their distinction by IRMPD spectroscopy in this region problematic. In addition, DFT theoretical calculations showed that the IR spectra are strongly conformation-dependent.

S-to-αC radical migration in the radical cations of Gly-Cys and Cys-Gly

The radical cations of Cys-Gly and Gly-Cys were studied using ion-molecule reactions (IMR), infrared multiple-photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Homolytic cleavage of the S-NO bond of nitrosylated precursors generated radical cations with the radical site initially located on the sulfur atom. Time-resolved ion-molecule reactions showed that radical site migration via hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) occurred much more quickly in Gly-Cys(•+) than in Cys-Gly(•+). IRMPD and DFT calculations indicated that for Gly-Cys, the radical migrated from the sulfur atom to the α-carbon of glycine, which is lower in energy than the sulfur radical (-53.5 kJ/mol). This migration does not occur for Cys-Gly because the glycine α-carbon is higher in energy than the sulfur radical (10.3 kJ/mol). DFT calculations showed that the highest energy barriers for rearrangement are 68.2 kJ/mol for Gly-Cys and 133.8 kJ/mol for Cys-Gly, which is in agreement with both the IMR and IRMPD data and explains the HAT in Gly-Cys.

Structure and reactivity of the N-acetyl-cysteine radical cation and anion: does radical migration occur?

The structure and reactivity of the N-acetyl-cysteine radical cation and anion were studied using ion-molecule reactions, infrared multi-photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The radical cation was generated by first nitrosylating the thiol of N-acetyl-cysteine followed by the homolytic cleavage of the S-NO bond in the gas phase. IRMPD spectroscopy coupled with DFT calculations revealed that for the radical cation the radical migrates from its initial position on the sulfur atom to the α-carbon position, which is 2.5 kJ mol(-1) lower in energy. The radical migration was confirmed by time-resolved ion-molecule reactions. These results are in contrast with our previous study on cysteine methyl ester radical cation (Osburn et al., Chem. Eur. J. 2011, 17, 873-879) and the study by Sinha et al. for cysteine radical cation (Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 2010, 12, 9794-9800) where the radical was found to stay on the sulfur atom as formed. A similar approach allowed us to form a hydrogen-deficient radical anion of N-acetyl-cysteine, (M - 2H)( •- ). IRMPD studies and ion-molecule reactions performed on the radical anion showed that the radical remains on the sulfur, which is the initial and more stable (by 63.6 kJ mol(-1)) position, and does not rearrange.

Tandem mass spectrometry strategies for phosphoproteome analysis

Protein phosphorylation is involved in nearly all essential biochemical pathways and the deregulation of phosphorylation events has been associated with the onset of numerous diseases. A multitude of tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) and multistage MS/MS (i.e., MS(n) ) strategies have been developed in recent years and have been applied toward comprehensive phosphoproteomic analysis, based on the interrogation of proteolytically derived phosphopeptides. However, the utility of each of these MS/MS and MS(n) approaches for phosphopeptide identification and characterization, including phosphorylation site localization, is critically dependant on the properties of the precursor ion (e.g., polarity and charge state), the specific ion activation method that is employed, and the underlying gas-phase ion chemistries, mechanisms and other factors that influence the gas-phase fragmentation behavior of phosphopeptide ions. This review therefore provides an overview of recent studies aimed at developing an improved understanding of these issues, and highlights the advantages and limitations of both established (e.g., CID) and newly maturing (e.g., ECD, ETD, photodissociation, etc.) yet complementary, ion activation techniques. This understanding is expected to facilitate the continued refinement of existing MS/MS strategies, and the development of novel MS/MS techniques for phosphopeptide analysis, with great promise in providing new insights into the role of protein phosphorylation on normal biological function, and in the onset and progression of disease. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Mass Spec Rev 30:600-625, 2011.

Proton transfer reactions for improved peptide characterisation

The combination of deprotonation (via ion/molecule and ion/ion reactions) and low-energy collision-induced dissociation (CID) has been explored for the enhanced characterisation of tryptic peptides via access to different precursor charge states. This approach allows instant access to fragmentation properties of singly and doubly protonated precursors (arising from the availability of mobile protons) in a single experiment. Considering both charge states extended our base of structurally informative data (in comparison with considering just a single charge state) due to generation of additional sequence ions and by obtaining supplementary structural information derived from selective cleavages. Roughly 37% of combined data sets (CID spectra of doubly and singly charged precursor) showed a greater database identification confidence than each set alone. Moreover, comparison between a number of sequence ions of the singly charged precursor and the doubly charged precursor provided a mean of distinguishing the two classes of tryptic peptides (arginine or lysine containing).

Differentiation of protonated aromatic regioisomers related to lignin by reactions with trimethylborate in a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer

Several lignin model compounds were examined to test whether gas-phase ion-molecule reactions of trimethylborate (TMB) in a FTICR can be used to differentiate the ortho-, meta-, and para-isomers of protonated aromatic compounds, such as those formed during degradation of lignin. All three regioisomers could be differentiated for methoxyphenols and hydroxyphenols. However, only the differentiation of the ortho-isomer from the meta- and para-isomers was possible for hydroxyacetophenones and hydroxybenzoic acids. Consideration of the previously reported proton affinities at all basic sites in the isomeric hydroxyphenols, and the calculated proton affinities at all basic sites in the three methoxyphenol isomers, revealed that the proton affinities of the analytes relative to that of TMB play an important role in determining whether and how they react with TMB. The loss of two methanol molecules (instead of one) from the adducts formed with TMB either during ion-molecule reactions, or during sustained-off resonance irradiated collision-activated dissociation of the ion-molecule reaction products, revealed the presence of two functionalities in almost all the isomers. This finding supports earlier results suggesting that TMB can be used to count the functionalities in unknown oxygen-containing analytes.

Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry utilizing ion-molecule reactions and collision-activated dissociation for the identification of N-oxide drug metabolites

A liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS(3)) method based on ion-molecule reactions and collision-activated dissociation (CAD) is presented for the identification of analytes with the N-oxide functional group directly in mixtures. Tri(dimethylamino)borane (TDMAB) rapidly and selectively derivatizes protonated N-oxides in a modified commercial linear quadrupole ion trap (LQIT) mass spectrometer to yield a distinct product ion (adduct-(CH(3))(2)NH). The LQIT was outfitted with an external reagent-mixing manifold that allows TDMAB to be mixed with the helium buffer gas used in the trap. The derivatized analytes are readily identified on the basis of a shift of 98 Th (Thomson) relative to the m/z value of the protonated analyte. Further probing of the derivatized analytes via isolation followed by CAD can be used to confirm the presence of an N-oxide, and distinguish between aliphatic and aromatic tertiary N-oxides. Since the ion-molecule reaction is fast, these experiments can be accomplished on the same time scale as typical CAD-based MS(n) experiments, thus maintaining the duty cycle of the instrument for this type of experiment. To demonstrate real world applicability, the method was tested on real active pharmaceutical ingredients and their derivatives.

An ion/molecule reaction for the identification of analytes with two basic functional groups

A mass spectrometric method is presented for the identification of analytes with two basic functionalities and PA between 222 and 245 kcal/mol, including diamines. This method utilizes gas-phase ion-molecule reactions of protonated analytes with neutral 1,1-diethoxyethene (DEE) in a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer (FT-ICR). A variety of protonated mono-, bi-, and trifunctional analytes containing different functional groups, namely, amido, amino, N-oxide, hydroxy, carboxylic acid, keto, thio, thioether, alkene, phosphite, and phosphonate, were tested in the FT-ICR. The results demonstrate that basic protonated bifunctional compounds (PA between 222 and 245 kcal/mol) react selectively with DEE by forming a specific addition/elimination product ion (adduct - EtOH) (this product was also observed for lysine with three functionalities). The diagnostic reaction sequence involves proton transfer from the protonated analyte to the basic vinyl group in DEE, followed by addition of one of the functional groups of the analyte to the electrophilic alpha-carbon in protonated DEE. The next step involves proton transfer from this functionality to the other analyte functionality, followed by proton transfer to DEE and elimination of ethanol. Since the mechanism involves proton transfer between two functional groups of the analyte, the reaction does not occur for analytes where the two functionalities cannot be in close proximity (i.e., meta-phenylenediamine), and where no proton is available (i.e., dimethylaminoketone).