Effect of moisture on the field dependence of mobility for gas-phase ions of organophosphorus compounds at atmospheric pressure with field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometry

Bridging the Gap between Differential Mobility, Log S, and Log P Using Machine Learning and SHAP Analysis

Aqueous solubility, log S, and the water-octanol partition coefficient, log P, are physicochemical properties that are used to screen the viability of drug candidates and to estimate mass transport in the environment. In this work, differential mobility spectrometry (DMS) experiments performed in microsolvating environments are used to train machine learning (ML) frameworks that predict the log S and log P of various molecule classes. In lieu of a consistent source of experimentally measured log S and log P values, the OPERA package was used to evaluate the aqueous solubility and hydrophobicity of 333 analytes. With ion mobility/DMS data (e.g., CCS, dispersion curves) as input, we used ML regressors and ensemble stacking to derive relationships with a high degree of explainability, as assessed via SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) analysis. The DMS-based regression models returned scores of R² = 0.67 and RMSE = 1.03 ± 0.10 for log S predictions and R² = 0.67 and RMSE = 1.20 ± 0.10 for log P after 5-fold random cross-validation. SHAP analysis reveals that the regressors strongly weighted gas-phase clustering in log P correlations. The addition of structural descriptors (e.g., # of aromatic carbons) improved log S predictions to yield RMSE = 0.84 ± 0.07 and R² = 0.78. Similarly, log P predictions using the same data resulted in an RMSE of 0.83 ± 0.04 and R² = 0.84. The SHAP analysis of log P models highlights the need for additional experimental parameters describing hydrophobic interactions. These results were achieved with a smaller dataset (333 instances) and minimal structural correlation compared to purely structure-based models, underscoring the value of employing DMS data in predictive models.

Improved First-Principles Model of Differential Mobility Using Higher Order Two-Temperature Theory

Differential mobility spectrometry is a separation technique that may be applied to a variety of analytes ranging from small molecule drugs to peptides and proteins. Although rudimentary theoretical models of differential mobility exist, these models are often only applied to small molecules and atomic ions without considering the effects of dynamic microsolvation. Here, we advance our theoretical description of differential ion mobility in pure N₂ and microsolvating environments by incorporating higher order corrections to two-temperature theory (2TT) and a pseudoequilibrium approach to describe ion-neutral interactions. When comparing theoretical predictions to experimentally measured dispersion plots of over 300 different compounds, we find that higher order corrections to 2TT reduce errors by roughly a factor of 2 when compared to first order. Model predictions are accurate especially for pure N₂ environments (mean absolute error of 4 V at SV = 4000 V). For strongly clustering environments, accurate thermochemical corrections for ion-solvent clustering are likely required to reliably predict differential ion mobility behavior. Within our model, general trends associated with clustering strength, solvent vapor concentration, and background gas temperature are well reproduced, and fine structure visible in some dispersion plots is captured. These results provide insight into the dynamic ion-solvent clustering process that underpins the phenomenon of differential ion mobility.

Simultaneously improving the resolving power and sensitivity for planar high-field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry using a mixed gas inlet mode at two ends

RATIONALE

Resolution and sensitivity are two key parameters for describing the performance of high-field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS). An increase in the resolving power of FAIMS has been realized by adding helium to nitrogen in planar FAIMS, but it comes at the expense of sensitivity.

METHODS

Here, a new hollow needle-to-ring discharge device integrated on a PCB substrate is used as the ion source for FAIMS. Helium flows from the hollow part of the hollow needle to improve the ionization effect. Nitrogen carries the sample into the ionization chamber and is mixed with helium as the carrier gas.

RESULTS

Under a nitrogen flow rate of 1 L min^-1 , 1.5 L min^-1 , 2 L min^-1 , and 2.5 L min^-1 , adding helium at different flow rates (0.2 L min^-1 , 0.3 L min^-1 , 0.5 L min^-1 , and 1 L min^-1 ) can simultaneously improve the separation ability and sensitivity. Helium and nitrogen with flow rates of 0.2, 0.3, 0.5, and 1 L min^-1 were added to nitrogen (2 L min^-1 ). The separation ability and sensitivity of the mixed gases doped with helium are better than those of nitrogen. The larger the RF voltage amplitude is, the more obvious the improvement in the separation ability when helium is added. However, helium doping has the opposite effect on the sensitivity.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides a new idea and technical means for the application of helium and nitrogen gas mixtures in planar FAIMS. This method can greatly improve the performance of FAIMS.

Ion Mobility Spectrometry of Superheated Macromolecules at Electric Fields up to 500 Td

Since its inception in 1980s, differential or field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS) has been implemented at or near ambient gas pressure. We recently developed FAIMS at 15-30 Torr with mass spectrometry and utilized it to analyze amino acids, isomeric peptides, and protein conformers. The separations broadly mirrored those at atmospheric pressure, save for larger proteins that (as predicted) exhibited dipole alignment at ambient but not low pressure. Here we reduce the pressure down to 4.7 Torr, allowing normalized electric fields up to 543 Td-double the maximum in prior FAIMS or IMS studies of polyatomic ions. Despite the collisional heating to ∼1000 °C at the waveform peaks, the proteins of size from ubiquitin to albumin survived intact. The dissociation of macromolecules in FAIMS appears governed by the average ion temperature over the waveform cycle, unlike the isomerization controlled by the peak temperature. The global separation trends in this "superhot" regime extend those at moderately low pressures, with distinct conformers and no alignment as theorized. Although the scaling of the compensation voltage with the field fell below cubic at lower fields, the resolving power increased and the resolution of different proteins or charge states substantially improved.

Field induced displacement reactions with proton bound dimers of organophosphorus compounds in a tandem differential mobility spectrometer

Endothermic displacement reactions between proton bound dimers of organophosphorus compounds (OPCs) and isopropanol (IPA) were enabled in air at ambient pressure with tandem differential mobility spectrometry (DMS). Proton bound dimers (M2H+) were mobility isolated in purified air with a first DMS stage, mixed with IPA at ≥100 ppm in a middle reactive stage at 106 to 160 Td from a symmetrical 4 MHz waveform, and mobility analyzed in a second DMS stage. Although the enthalpy for displacement of M by IPA in M2H+ is unfavorable by +44 to 50 kJ mol-1, formation of the heterogenous proton bound dimer, MH+(IPA) arises from field induced dissociation of M2H+ to MH+ and addition of IPA. While peak dispersion for M2H+ of OPCs is limited to -2.25 to -0.5 V compensation voltage, peaks for MH+(IPA) were located at -10.5 to -8.25 V through a combination of ion transformation and mobility-based vapor modification. This inaugural use of ion reactions in air at ambient pressure demonstrates that multi-stage sequential processing of ions can improve significantly the analytical performance in a mobility spectrometer.

Helium-assisted enhanced discharge in a hollow needle for high-field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS)

A carrier gas mixture of nitrogen and helium has been employed to improve the resolving power at the expense of sensitivity for planar high-field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS) in previous work. In this paper, a new hollow needle-to-ring ion source was developed, where the helium and nitrogen enter from the hollow needle and ring, respectively. It was found that the signal strengths of acetone, ethanol, and ethyl acetate increased by 8.5, 2.0, and 3.3 times for helium ratios of 20%, 20%, and 10%, respectively. At the same time, the absolute value of compensation voltage and the number of ion peaks increases. It shows that adding an appropriate helium ratio to nitrogen simultaneously improved the sensitivity and resolving power of planar FAIMS, which is reported for the first time.

Enabling Field Asymmetric Ion Mobility Spectrometry Separation of Fentanyl-Related Compounds Using Controlled Humidity

Due to the widespread abuse of opioids in recent years, the development of quick and reliable methods for analyzing compounds such as fentanyl and its derivatives is increasingly important. Ahead of online mass spectrometric analysis, field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS) has previously been used for rapid ion prefiltering and demonstrated significantly improved peak capacity with the addition of vapor modifiers to the carrier gas. The application of FAIMS-mass spectrometry (MS) in the analysis of fentanyl and related compounds is presented herein with the use of a water vapor modifier. The inclusion of the water vapor modifier to the FAIMS methodology is made more robust with the incorporation of a humidity sensor. A dramatic improvement in the separation of fentanyl, alfentanil, 4-aminophenyl-1-phenethylpiperidine (4-ANPP), norfentanyl, and heroin has been achieved, and the ability to distinguish the isobars in a mixture, alfentanil and ortho-isopropyl furanyl fentanyl, is demonstrated without lengthy chromatography.

Measuring Electronic Spectra of Differential Mobility-Selected Ions in the Gas Phase

We describe the modification of a commercially available tandem differential mobility mass spectrometer (DMS) that has been retrofitted to facilitate photodissociation (PD) of differential mobility-separated, mass-selected molecular ions. We first show that a mixture of protonated quinoline/isoquinoline (QH⁺/iQH⁺) can be separated using differential mobility spectrometry. Efficient separation is facilitated by addition of methanol to the DMS environment and increased residence time within the DMS. In action spectroscopy experiments, we gate each isomer using appropriate DMS settings, trap the ions in the third quadrupole of a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, and irradiate them with tunable light from an optical parametric oscillator (OPO). The resulting mass spectra are recorded as the OPO wavelength is scanned, giving PD action spectra. We compare our PD spectra with previously recorded spectra for the same species and show that our instrument reproduces previous works faithfully.

Identification and quantification of amino acids and related compounds based on Differential Mobility Spectrometry

A new metabolite descriptor allowing fast quantification for the diagnosis of metabolic diseases.

A First Principle Model of Differential Ion Mobility: the Effect of Ion-Solvent Clustering

The use of differential mobility spectrometry (DMS) as a separation tool prior to mass analysis has increased in popularity over the years. However, the fundamental principles behind the difference between high- and low-field mobility is still a matter of debate-especially regarding the strong impact of solvent molecules added to the gas phase in chemically modified DMS environments. In this contribution, we aim to present a thorough model for the determination of the ion mobility over a wide range of field strengths and subsequent calculation of DMS dispersion plots. Our model relies on first principle calculations only, incorporating the modeling of the "hard-sphere" mobility, the change in CCS with field strength, and the degree of clustering of solvent molecules to the ion. We show that all three factors have to be taken into account to qualitatively predict dispersion plots. In particular, type A behavior (i.e., strong clustering) in DMS can only be explained by a significant change of the mean cluster size with field strengths. The fact that our model correctly predicts trends between differently strong binding solvents, as well as the solvent concentration and the background gas temperature, highlights the importance of clustering for differential mobility.

Ion Mobility Spectrometry: Fundamental Concepts, Instrumentation, Applications, and the Road Ahead

Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) is a rapid separation technique that has experienced exponential growth as a field of study. Interfacing IMS with mass spectrometry (IMS-MS) provides additional analytical power as complementary separations from each technique enable multidimensional characterization of detected analytes. IMS separations occur on a millisecond timescale, and therefore can be readily nested into traditional GC and LC/MS workflows. However, the continual development of novel IMS methods has generated some level of confusion regarding the advantages and disadvantages of each. In this critical insight, we aim to clarify some common misconceptions for new users in the community pertaining to the fundamental concepts of the various IMS instrumental platforms (i.e., DTIMS, TWIMS, TIMS, FAIMS, and DMA), while addressing the strengths and shortcomings associated with each. Common IMS-MS applications are also discussed in this review, such as separating isomeric species, performing signal filtering for MS, and incorporating collision cross-section (CCS) values into both targeted and untargeted omics-based workflows as additional ion descriptors for chemical annotation. Although many challenges must be addressed by the IMS community before mobility information is collected in a routine fashion, the future is bright with possibilities.

Effects of Solvent Vapor Modifiers for the Separation of Opioid Isomers in Micromachined FAIMS-MS

Opioid addiction is an escalating problem that is compounded by the introduction of synthetic opiate analogues such as fentanyl. Screening methods for these compound classes are challenged by the availability of synthetically manufactured analogues, including isomers of existing substances. High-field asymmetric-waveform ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS) utilizes an alternating asymmetric electric field to separate ions by their different mobilities at high and low fields as they travel through the separation space. When coupled to mass spectrometry (MS), FAIMS enhances the separation of analytes from other interfering compounds with little to no increase in analysis time. Addition of solvent vapor into the FAIMS carrier gas has been demonstrated to enable and improve the separation of isomers. Here we investigate the effects of several solvents for the separation of four opioids. FAIMS-MS spectra with added solvent vapors show dramatic compensation field (CF) shifts for opioid [M+H]⁺ ions when compared to spectra acquired using dry nitrogen. Addition of vapor from aprotic solvents, such as acetonitrile and acetone, produces significantly improved resolution between the tested opioids, with baseline resolution achieved between certain opioid isomers. For protic solvents, notable CF shift differences were observed in FAIMS separations between addition of water vapor and vapors from small alcohols. Graphical Abstract.

Recommendations for reporting ion mobility Mass Spectrometry measurements

Here we present a guide to ion mobility mass spectrometry experiments, which covers both linear and nonlinear methods: what is measured, how the measurements are done, and how to report the results, including the uncertainties of mobility and collision cross section values. The guide aims to clarify some possibly confusing concepts, and the reporting recommendations should help researchers, authors and reviewers to contribute comprehensive reports, so that the ion mobility data can be reused more confidently. Starting from the concept of the definition of the measurand, we emphasize that (i) mobility values (K0 ) depend intrinsically on ion structure, the nature of the bath gas, temperature, and E/N; (ii) ion mobility does not measure molecular surfaces directly, but collision cross section (CCS) values are derived from mobility values using a physical model; (iii) methods relying on calibration are empirical (and thus may provide method-dependent results) only if the gas nature, temperature or E/N cannot match those of the primary method. Our analysis highlights the urgency of a community effort toward establishing primary standards and reference materials for ion mobility, and provides recommendations to do so. © 2019 The Authors. Mass Spectrometry Reviews Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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.

Ultra-high-resolution ion mobility spectrometry-current instrumentation, limitations, and future developments

With recent advances in ionization sources and instrumentation, ion mobility spectrometers (IMS) have transformed from a detector for chemical warfare agents and explosives to a widely used tool in analytical and bioanalytical applications. This increasing measurement task complexity requires higher and higher analytical performance and especially ultra-high resolution. In this review, we will discuss the currently used ion mobility spectrometers able to reach such ultra-high resolution, defined here as a resolving power greater than 200. These instruments are drift tube IMS, traveling wave IMS, trapped IMS, and field asymmetric or differential IMS. The basic operating principles and the resulting effects of experimental parameters on resolving power are explained and compared between the different instruments. This allows understanding the current limitations of resolving power and how ion mobility spectrometers may progress in the future. Graphical abstract.

Differential Mobility Spectrometry of Ketones in Air at Extreme Levels of Moisture

The performance of a differential mobility spectrometer was characterized at ambient pressure and ten values of water vapor concentration, from 1.0 × 102 to 1.7 × 104 ppm using a homologous series of seven ketones from acetone to 2-dodecanone. Dispersion plots at 30 °C with separation fields from 35 to 123 Td exhibited increased alpha functions for the hydrated proton, protonated monomers, and proton bound dimers with increased moisture levels. Increases in the level of moisture were accompanied by decreased quantitative response with progressive suppression in the formation of the proton bound dimer first and then protonated monomer. Product ions for 2-octanone at 7 ppb were not observed above a moisture level of 4.0 × 103 ppm, establishing a limit for observation of analyte ion formation. The observation limit increased from 1.1 × 103 ppm for acetone to 5.7 × 103 ppm for 2-dodecanone. These findings demonstrate that ketones can be determined with a differential mobility spectrometry (DMS) analyzer near room temperature in the presence of elevated levels of moisture expected with the use of membrane inlets or headspace sampling of surface or ground waters. Moisture levels entering this DMS analyzer employed as an environmental monitor should be kept at 1.0 × 103 ppm or below and quantitative studies for individual ketones should be made at a fixed moisture level.

Resolution and Assignment of Differential Ion Mobility Spectra of Sarcosine and Isomers

Due to their central role in biochemical processes, fast separation and identification of amino acids (AA) is of importance in many areas of the biomedical field including the diagnosis and monitoring of inborn errors of metabolism and biomarker discovery. Due to the large number of AA together with their isomers and isobars, common methods of AA analysis are tedious and time-consuming because they include a chromatographic separation step requiring pre- or post-column derivatization. Here, we propose a rapid method of separation and identification of sarcosine, a biomarker candidate of prostate cancer, from isomers using differential ion mobility spectrometry (DIMS) interfaced with a tandem mass spectrometer (MS/MS) instrument. Baseline separation of protonated sarcosine from α- and β-alanine isomers can be easily achieved. Identification of DIMS peak is performed using an isomer-specific activation mode where DIMS- and mass-selected ions are irradiated at selected wavenumbers allowing for the specific fragmentation via an infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) process. Two orthogonal methods to MS/MS are thus added, where the MS/MS(IRMPD) is nothing but an isomer-specific multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) method. The identification relies on the comparison of DIMS-MS/MS(IRMPD) chromatograms recorded at different wavenumbers. Based on the comparison of IR spectra of the three isomers, it is shown that specific depletion of the two protonated α- and β-alanine can be achieved, thus allowing for clear identification of the sarcosine peak. It is also demonstrated that DIMS-MS/MS(IRMPD) spectra in the carboxylic C=O stretching region allow for the resolution of overlapping DIMS peaks. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.

Differential mobility spectrometry/mass spectrometry history, theory, design optimization, simulations, and applications

This review of differential mobility spectrometry focuses primarily on mass spectrometry coupling, starting with the history of the development of this technique in the Soviet Union. Fundamental principles of the separation process are covered, in addition to efforts related to design optimization and advancements in computer simulations. The flexibility of differential mobility spectrometry design features is explored in detail, particularly with regards to separation capability, speed, and ion transmission. 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Mass Spec Rev 35:687-737, 2016.

Classification of biodiesel and fuel blends using gas chromatography - differential mobility spectrometry with cluster analysis and isolation of C18:3 me by dual ion filtering

Fatty acid alkyl esters (FAAEs) were determined at 10-100mg/L in biodiesel and blends with petrodiesel without sample pre-treatment using gas chromatography with a tandem differential mobility detector. Selectivity was provided through chromatographic separations and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization reactions in the detector with mobility characterization of gas ions. Limits of detection were ~0.5ng with an average of 2.98% RSD for peak area precision, ≤1.3% RSD for retention time precision, and ≤9.2% RSD for compensation voltage precision. Biodiesel blends were classified using principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA). Unsupervised cluster analysis captured 52.72% of variance in a single PC while supervised analysis captured 71.64% of variance using Fisher ratio feature selection. Test set predictions showed successful clustering according to source or feedstock when regressed onto the training set model. Detection of the regulated substance methyl linolenate (C18:3 me) was achieved in 6-10s with a 1m long capillary column using dual ion filtering in the tandem differential mobility detector.

To What Extent is FAIMS Beneficial in the Analysis of Proteins?

High field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS), also known as differential ion mobility spectrometry, is emerging as a tool for biomolecular analysis. In this article, the benefits and limitations of FAIMS for protein analysis are discussed. The principles and mechanisms of FAIMS separation of ions are described, and the differences between FAIMS and conventional ion mobility spectrometry are detailed. Protein analysis is considered from both the top-down (intact proteins) and the bottom-up (proteolytic peptides) perspective. The roles of FAIMS in the analysis of complex mixtures of multiple intact proteins and in the analysis of multiple conformers of a single protein are assessed. Similarly, the application of FAIMS in proteomics and targeted analysis of peptides are considered.

Improved Differential Ion Mobility Separations Using Linked Scans of Carrier Gas Composition and Compensation Field

Differential ion mobility spectrometry (DIMS) separates ions based on differences in their mobilities in low and high electric fields. When coupled to mass spectrometric analyses, DIMS has the ability to improve signal-to-background by eliminating isobaric and isomeric compounds for analytes in complex mixtures. DIMS separation power, often measured by resolution and peak capacity, can be improved through increasing the fraction of helium in the nitrogen carrier gas. However, because the mobility of ions is higher in helium, a greater number of ions collide with the DIMS electrodes or housing, yielding losses in signal intensity. To take advantage of the benefits of helium addition on DIMS separations and reduce ion losses, linked scans were developed. In a linked scan the helium content of the carrier gas is reduced as the compensation field is increased. Linked scans were compared with conventional compensation field scans with constant helium content for the protein ubiquitin and a tryptic digest of bovine serum albumin (BSA). Linked scans yield better separation of ubiquitin charge states and enhanced peak capacities for the analysis of BSA compared with compensation field scans with constant helium carrier gas percentages. Linked scans also offer improved signal intensity retention in comparison to compensation field scans with constant helium percentages in the carrier gas.

Comprehensive theoretical analysis and experimental exploration of ultrafast microchip-based high-field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS) technique

High-field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS) has become an efficient technique for separation and characterization of gas-phase ions at ambient pressure, which utilizes the mobility differences of ions at high and low fields. Micro FAIMS devices made by micro-electromechanical system technology have small gaps of the channels, high electric field and good installation precision, as thus they have received great attentions. However, the disadvantage of relatively low resolution limits their applications in some areas. In this study, theoretical analysis and experimental exploration were carried out to overcome the disadvantage. Multiple scans, characteristic decline curves of ion transmission and pattern recognitions were proposed to improve the performance of the microchip-based FAIMS. The results showed that although micro FAIMS instruments as a standalone chemical analyzer suffer from low resolution, by using one or more of the methods proposed, they can identify chemicals precisely and provide quantitative analysis with low detection limit in some applications. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Tandem differential mobility spectrometry with ion dissociation in air at ambient pressure and temperature

Proton-bound dimers were dissociated to protonated monomers in air at ambient pressure and temperature using electric fields of ultrahigh Field Asymmetric Ion Mobility Spectrometry (ultraFAIMS) with the onset of dissociation for ethyl acetate as 96 Td and for dimethyl methyl phosphonate as 170 Td. Ions then were measured by differential mobility spectrometry (DMS). Fragment ions were formed with propyl acetate at electric fields of 90 Td or greater. The dissociation in ultraFAIMS of ions, with compensation fields near zero, to form smaller ions with new compensation fields, provided a method to improve peak capacity in DMS without gas modifiers. These findings also lay the foundation for a triple stage DMS with a centre stage for ion dissociation or fragmentation.

Review on ion mobility spectrometry. Part 2: hyphenated methods and effects of experimental parameters

Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS) is a widely used and 'well-known' technique of ion separation in the gaseous phase based on the differences of ion mobilities under an electric field. This technique has received increased interest over the last several decades as evidenced by the pace and advances of new IMS devices available. In this review we explore the hyphenated techniques that are used with IMS, specifically mass spectrometry as an identification approach and a multi-capillary column as a pre-separation approach. Also, we will pay special attention to the key figures of merit of the ion mobility spectrum and how data sets are treated, and the influences of the experimental parameters on both conventional drift time IMS (DTIMS) and miniaturized IMS also known as high Field Asymmetric IMS (FAIMS) in the planar configuration. The present review article is preceded by a companion review article which details the current instrumentation and contains the sections that configure both conventional DTIMS and FAIMS devices. These reviews will give the reader an insightful view of the main characteristics and aspects of the IMS technique.

Using differential mobility spectrometry to measure ion solvation: an examination of the roles of solvents and ionic structures in separating quinoline-based drugs

Understanding the mechanisms and energetics of ion solvation using differential mobility spectrometry.

Description of gas-phase ion/neutral interactions in differential ion mobility spectrometry: CV prediction using calibration runs

Differential ion mobility spectrometry (DMS) coupled to mass spectrometry is increasingly used in both quantitative analyses of biological samples and as a means of removing background interferences for enhanced selectivity and improved quality of mass spectra. However, DMS separation efficiency using dry inert gases often lacks the required selectivity to achieve baseline separation. Polar gas-phase modifiers such as alcohols are therefore frequently employed to improve selectivity via clustering/declustering processes. The choice of an optimal modifier currently relies on trial and error experiments, making method development a tedious activity. It was the goal of this study to establish a means of CV prediction for compounds using a homologous series of alcohols as gas-phase modifiers. This prediction was based on linear regression of compensation voltages of two calibration runs for the alcohols with the lowest and the highest molecular weights and readily available descriptors such as proton affinity and gas phase acidity of the modifier molecules. All experiments were performed on a commercial quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometer equipped with a DMS device between electrospray ionization source and entrance quadrupole lens. We evaluated our approach using a homologous series of 4-alkylbenzoic acids and a selection of 23 small molecules of high chemical diversity. Predicted CV values typically deviated from the experimentally determined values by less than 0.5 V. Several test compounds changed their ion mobility behavior for the investigated gas phase modifiers (e.g., from type B to type A) and thus could thus not be evaluated.

Tandem differential mobility spectrometry in purified air for high-speed selective vapor detection

A tandem ion mobility instrument based on differential mobility spectrometry (DMS) was used to demonstrate selectivity in response through differences in field dependence of mobility for ions in purified air at ambient pressure. The concept of chemical selectivity solely from characteristic dispersion curves or from field dependence of ion mobility was experimentally demonstrated in three steps with mixtures of increasing complexity. In a mixture of four alcohols with carbon numbers four and below, distinct pairs of separation voltage and compensation voltage, applied to the first and second DMS stages, permitted isolation of ions from individual substances without detectable levels of other substances. In a three-component mixture of a ketone, alcohol, and organophosphorus compound, the same level of ion isolation was observed using specific and characteristic separation and compensation voltages on each DMS stage. In the last experiment, the isolation of product ions of individual substances from a mixture of 23 volatile organic compounds from four chemical groups was incomplete though the improvement in the ratio of analyte signal to chemical noise was calculated as 31 for DMMP and 106 for 1-hexanol. These findings demonstrate that chemical information available in dispersion curves can be accessed in response times below 100 ms through a tandem DMS measurement.

Reagent cluster anions for multiple gas-phase covalent modifications of peptide and protein cations

Multiple gas phase ion/ion covalent modifications of peptide and protein ions are demonstrated using cluster-type reagent anions of N-hydroxysulfosuccinimide acetate (sulfo-NHS acetate) and 2-formyl-benzenesulfonic acid (FBMSA). These reagents are used to selectively modify unprotonated primary amine functionalities of peptides and proteins. Multiple reactive reagent molecules can be present in a single cluster ion, which allows for multiple covalent modifications to be achieved in a single ion/ion encounter and at the 'cost' of only a single analyte charge. Multiple derivatizations are demonstrated when the number of available reactive sites on the analyte cation exceeds the number of reagent molecules in the anionic cluster (e.g., data shown here for reactions between the polypeptide [K10 + 3H](3+) and the reagent cluster [5R(5Na) - Na](-)). This type of gas-phase ion chemistry is also applicable to whole protein ions. Here, ubiquitin was successfully modified using an FBMSA cluster anion which, upon collisional activation, produced fragment ions with various numbers of modifications. Data for the pentamer cluster are included as illustrative of the results obtained for the clusters comprised of two to six reagent molecules.

High-field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry with solvent vapor addition: a potential greener bioanalytical technique

Green chemistry is a way to avoid threats to human health and the environment in chemical processes, including analytical methodology. According to the 12 principles provided by ACS Green Chemistry Institute, first described by Anastas and Warner, prevention of waste generation should be first considered as an alternative to ways of treating waste. Therefore, analytical techniques that may reduce solvent waste are of great interest towards greener analysis. High-field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS) utilizes electrical fields to achieve separation, post an ionization source, and could provide an alternative method for separation and reduce solvent use in comparison with traditional HPLC methodologies. In this article, the operational principles and developments of FAIMS will be discussed, including the advantages of adding solvent vapor to the carrier gas. In addition, applications and challenges of implementing FAIMS technology will also be discussed.

Accurate and reproducible ion mobility measurements for chemical standard evaluation

Chemical standards are used to calibrate ion mobility spectrometers (IMS) for accurate and precise identification of target compounds. Research over the past 30 years has identified several positive and negative mode compounds that have been used as IMS standards. However, the IMS research community has not come to a consensus on any chemical compound(s) for use as a reference standard. Also, the reported K(0) values for the same compound analyzed on several IMS systems can be inconsistent. In many cases, mobility has not been correlated with a mass identification of an ion. The primary goal of this work was to provide mass-identified mobility (K(0)) values for standards. The results of this work were mass-identified K(0) values for positive and negative mode IMS chemical standards. The negative mode results of this study showed that TNT is a viable negative mode reference standard. New temperature-dependent K(0) values were found by characterizing drift gas temperature and water content; several examples were found of temperature-dependent changes for the ion species of several standards. The overall recommendation of this study is that proposed IMS standards should have temperature-dependent K(0) values quoted in the literature instead of using a single K(0) value for a compound.

Accelerated high-resolution differential ion mobility separations using hydrogen

The resolving power of differential ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS) was dramatically increased recently by carrier gases comprising up to 75% He or various vapors, enabling many new applications. However, the need for resolution of complex mixtures is virtually open-ended and many topical analyses demand yet finer separations. Also, the resolving power gains are often at the expense of speed, in particular making high-resolution FAIMS poorly compatible with online liquid-phase separations. Here, we report FAIMS employing hydrogen, specifically in mixtures with N(2) containing up to 90% H(2). Such compositions raise the mobilities of all ions and thus the resolving power beyond that previously feasible, while avoiding the electrical breakdown inevitable in He-rich mixtures. The increases in resolving power and ensuing peak resolution are especially significant at H(2) fractions above ~50%. Higher resolution can be exchanged for acceleration of the analyses by up to ~4 times. For more mobile species such as multiply charged peptides, this exchange is presently forced by the constraints of existing FAIMS devices, but future designs optimized for H(2) should consistently improve resolution for all analytes.

Rapid analysis of isomeric exogenous metabolites by differential mobility spectrometry-mass spectrometry

The direct separation of isomeric glucuronide metabolites from propranolol dosed tissue extracts by differential mobility spectrometry-mass spectrometry (DMS-MS) with the use of the polar gas-phase chemical modifier acetonitrile was demonstrated. The DMS gas-phase separation was able to resolve the isomeric metabolites with separation times on the order of milliseconds instead of minutes which is typically required when using pre-ionization chromatographic separation methods. Direct separation of isomeric metabolites from the complex tissue extract was confirmed by implementing a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separation prior to the DMS-MS analysis to pre-separate the species of interest. The ability to separate isomeric exogenous metabolites directly from a complex tissue extract is expected to facilitate the drug development process by increasing analytical throughput without the requirement for pre-ionization cleanup or separation strategies.