Coupling techniques in LC/MS and SFC/MS

Enantioselectivity of mass spectrometry: challenges and promises

With the fast growing market of pure enantiomer drugs and bioactive molecules, new chiral-selective analytical tools have been instigated including the use of mass spectrometry (MS). Even though MS is one of the best analytical tools that has efficiently been used in several pharmaceutical and biological applications, traditionally MS is considered as a "chiral-blind" technique. This limitation is due to the MS inability to differentiate between two enantiomers of a chiral molecule based merely on their masses. Several approaches have been explored to assess the potential role of MS in chiral analysis. The first approach depends on the use of MS-hyphenated techniques utilizing fast and sensitive chiral separation tools such as liquid chromatography (LC), gas chromatography (GC), and capillary electrophoresis (CE) coupled to MS detector. More recently, several alternative separation techniques have been evaluated such as supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) and capillary electrochromatography (CEC); the latter being a hybrid technique that combines the efficiency of CE with the selectivity of LC. The second approach is based on using the MS instrument solely for the chiral recognition. This method depends on the behavioral differences between enantiomers towards a foreign molecule and the ability of MS to monitor such differences. These behavioral differences can be divided into three types: (i) differences in the enantiomeric affinity for association with the chiral selector, (ii) differences of the enantiomeric exchange rate with a foreign reagent, and (iii) differences in the complex MS dissociation behaviors of the enantiomers. Most recently, ion mobility spectrometry was introduced to qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate chiral compounds. This article provides an overview of MS role in chiral analysis by discussing MS based methodologies and presenting the challenges and promises associated with each approach.

Definitions of terms relating to mass spectrometry (IUPAC Recommendations 2013)

This document contains recommendations for terminology in mass spectrometry. Development of standard terms dates back to 1974 when the IUPAC Commission on Analytical Nomenclature issued recommendations on mass spectrometry terms and definitions. In 1978, the IUPAC Commission on Molecular Structure and Spectroscopy updated and extended the recommendations and made further recommendations regarding symbols, acronyms, and abbreviations. The IUPAC Physical Chemistry Division Commission on Molecular Structure and Spectroscopy’s Subcommittee on Mass Spectroscopy revised the recommended terms in 1991 and appended terms relating to vacuum technology. Some additional terms related to tandem mass spectrometry were added in 1993 and accelerator mass spectrometry in 1994. Owing to the rapid expansion of the field in the intervening years, particularly in mass spectrometry of biomolecules, a further revision of the recommendations has become necessary. This document contains a comprehensive revision of mass spectrometry terminology that represents the current consensus of the mass spectrometry community.

Separation and identification of organic and organometallic compounds by use of a liquid chromatography–particle beam-glow discharge mass spectrometry combination

Evaluation of the particle beam glow discharge mass spectrometry (PB-GDMS) system as a detector for liquid chromatography (LC) is described for the analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, steroids, selenoamino acids, and alkyllead compounds. A particle beam interface is used to introduce analyte species from the LC into a glow discharge source for subsequent vaporization and ionization. Mass spectra display classic EI fragmentation patterns for the organic compounds, as well as elemental and molecular information for the organometallic compounds. Chromatographic separations display good temporal correlation between UV and PB-GDMS detection modes. Detection limits for Pb in lead nitrate, triethyllead, and triphenyllead fall in the sub-ppb (ng) range.

Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry: potential in forensic and clinical toxicology

A relatively limited number of papers concerning applications of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to forensic or clinical toxicology, or analytical methods directly applicable to these topics have been published so far, but their number have greatly increased in the past two years, probably due to technical improvements and to a decrease in the price of such instruments. After a brief presentation and exemplary applications of the interfaces and/or sources proposed in the past for coupling HPLC to mass spectrometry (direct liquid inlet, moving belt, fast atom bombardment and thermospray interfaces), this paper describes electrospray-type and atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation interfaces and their most recent applications in forensic or clinical toxicology. In a third section, the different LC-MS solutions proposed for typical applications in human toxicology, such as the determination of morphine metabolites, LSD and its metabolites and corticosteroids in blood or urine, are reviewed in detail in order to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each ionisation device and/or analytical method. The last section envisages the new analytical fields opened up by LC-MS in toxicology, regarding mainly peptides, proteins and large molecules, as well as the possible use of LC-MS as a complement to GC-MS for "general unknown" screenings; it also deals with the perspectives concerning technical improvements in ionisation interfaces/sources or mass spectrometers, as well as in sample preparation and liquid chromatography techniques applied to this type of coupling. Though LC-MS is still a relatively new technique in toxicology, on taking into consideration its success so far and owing to the simplification of instruments and concept handling thanks to user-friendly software, it is the authors' opinion that it will become a major success in analytical toxicology in the next few years.

In-source fragmentation of partially oxidized mono- and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry coupled to liquid chromatography

Partially oxidized derivatives of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are known to be important environmental pollutants. For the identification of these substances in complex mixtures, e.g. atmospheric aerosol samples, liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (LC/APCI-MS) has been found to be a suitable analytical technique. In this study 31 derivatives of mono- and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with up to five condensed aromatic rings carrying different functional groups (carboxyl, dicarboxylic anhydride, lactone, hydroxyl, and carbonyl) were characterized by LC/APCI-MS. Each substance was measured in positive and negative ion detection mode at four different fragmentor voltages (90 to 190 V). For the first time, the results show that characteristic and well-interpretable fragmentation patterns can be obtained for these classes of compounds by in-source collision-induced dissociation in a single quadrupole LC/APCI-MS system. For each class of compounds typical spectral features and optimum measurement conditions are reported, and fragmentation pathways are proposed. The study demonstrates the applicability of LC/APCI-MS for the determination of most of the investigated compounds at trace levels, and it provides a database for the identification of unknown partially oxidized aromatic hydrocarbons. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Present and potential applications of mass spectrometry for bioprocess research and control

For on-line monitoring of bioprocesses present applications are mainly restricted to gas analysis, but several techniques have been improved recently: membrane probes, the application of MS/MS techniques, methods of correlating available on-line data like gas reaction rates with bioprocess characteristics using stoichiometric models and other empirical correlations. New ionization and ion separation methods for biomolecules are developing dramatically. Most striking developments in this area are improved desorption techniques, electrospray, the renaissance of time-of-flight instruments and new challenges in ion trap techniques. Enormous progress is made in the analysis of peptides and other biopolymers. Combinations with new separation techniques like capillary electrophoresis and capillary HPLC show new horizons in biomolecule analysis.