Diastereomeric resolution directed towards chirality determination focussing on gas-phase energetics of coordinated sodium dissociation

Tandem Mass Spectrometry Approaches for Differentiation and Quantification Pidotimod and Its Three Isomers in the Gas Phase

Pidotimod is a chiral drug that possesses two chiral centers, resulting in three isomeric impurities (analytes, A). This study employs electrospray ionization ion trap mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) through collision-induced dissociation (CID) to investigate the chiral recognition of pidotimod and its three isomers to eliminate chromatographic separation. Three approaches were explored: (1) Protonated molecules in CID exhibited discriminative potential for diastereomers, with the ability to distinguish between S,S and R,R configurations, albeit with an Rchiral value of ~1.8. However, differentiation between R,S and S,R configurations was not achievable. (2) Alkali adductions (lithium and sodium) only discerned diastereomers. The Rchiral values of the diastereomers obtained from alkali adduct ions were significantly lower than those obtained from protonated ions. (3) Therefore, a third approach was used to address the challenge of distinguishing between R,S and S,R configurations, including the introduction of chiral references (ref) and transition metals (MII) to form metal-bound complexes [MII(A)(ref)-H]+. Additionally, we synthesized a novel ligand, 4-(N-tert-butoxycarbonyl [Boc]-L-prolinamido)phenol (denoted as ligand A), by modifying N-t-Boc-L-Pro with 2-aminophenol, which, in combination with CuII and NiII, enabled simultaneous differentiation of all four isomers. CuII complexes exhibited significant chiral selectivity between R,S and S,R configurations. Density functional theory calculations were performed to further elucidate the stereodynamic behavior and stoichiometry of these ions in the gas phase. These calculations revealed the interaction energy and coordination sites of the precursor ions in the gas phase, correlating well with MS/MS experiment results. Additionally, the logarithm of the CuII complexes' characteristic fragment ion abundance ratio demonstrated a strong linear relationship with enantiomeric excess (ee). This study presents a novel strategy for chiral drug quality control that eliminates chromatographic separation.

Enantiomeric Analysis of Chiral Drugs Using Mass Spectrometric Methods: A Comprehensive Review

Chirality plays a crucial role in the drug development process, influencing fundamental chemical and biochemical processes and significantly affecting our daily lives. This review provides a comprehensive examination of mass spectrometric (MS) methods for the enantiomeric analysis of chiral drugs. It thoroughly investigates MS-hyphenated techniques, emphasizing their critical role in achieving enantioselective analysis. Furthermore, it delves into the intricate chiral recognition mechanisms inherent in MS, elucidating the fundamental principles that govern successful chiral separations. By critically assessing the obstacles and potential benefits associated with each MS-based method, this review offers valuable insights for researchers navigating the complexities of chiral analysis. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches are explored, presenting a comparative analysis of their strengths and limitations. This review is aimed at significantly enhancing the understanding of chiral MS methods, serving as a crucial resource for researchers and practitioners engaged in enantioselective studies.

Stereoselective trimethylsilylation of α- and β-galactopyranoses

Trimethylsilylation of the anomeric hydroxyl groups of tetra-O-benzyl and tetra-O-acetyl galactopyranoses was investigated. Stereoselective formation of β-trimethylsilyl glycoside (β-TMS glycoside) of benzyl protected compound was achieved using N-trimethylsilyl diethylamine. In the course of the investigation of the selective synthesis of TMS galactosides using TMS-imidazole, we observed the formation of an intermediate, which was converted predominantly into α-TMS glycoside after silica gel column chromatography. A reaction of acetylated compound using TMS-trifluoromethanesulfonate-2,6-lutindine selectively yielded α-TMS glycoside.

Differentiation and identification of ginsenoside structural isomers by two-dimensional mass spectrometry combined with statistical analysis

Background

In the current phytochemical research on ginseng, the differentiation and structural identification of ginsenosides isomers remain challenging. In this paper, a two-dimensional mass spectrometry (2D-MS) method was developed and combined with statistical analysis for the direct differentiation, identification, and relative quantification of protopanaxadiol (PPD)-type ginsenoside isomers.

Methods

Collision-induced dissociation was performed at successive collision energy values to produce distinct profiles of the intensity fraction (IF) and ratio of intensity (RI) of the fragment ions. To amplify the differences in tandem mass spectra between isomers, IF and RI were plotted against collision energy. The resulting data distributions were then used to obtain the parameters of the fitted curves, which were used to evaluate the statistical significance of the differences between these distributions via the unpaired t test.

Results

A triplet and two pairs of PPD-type ginsenoside isomers were differentiated and identified by their distinct IF and RI distributions. In addition, the fragmentation preference of PPD-type ginsenosides was determined on the basis of the activation energy. The developed 2D-MS method was also extended to quantitatively determine the molar composition of ginsenoside isomers in mixtures of biotransformation products.

Conclusion

In comparison with conventional mass spectrometry methods, 2D-MS provides more direct insights into the subtle structural differences between isomers and can be used as an alternative approach for the differentiation of isomeric ginsenosides and natural products.