A selected ion flow tube study of the reactions of NO+and O+2ions with some organic molecules: The potential for trace gas analysis of air

A High Kinetic Energy Ion Mobility Spectrometer for Operation at Higher Pressures of up to 60 mbar

High Kinetic Energy Ion Mobility Spectrometers (HiKE-IMS) are usually operated at absolute pressures around 20 mbar in order to reach high reduced electric field strengths of up to 120 Td for influencing reaction kinetics in the reaction region. Such operating points significantly increase the linear range and limit chemical cross sensitivities. Furthermore, HiKE-IMS enables ionization of compounds normally not detectable in ambient pressure IMS, such as benzene, due to additional reaction pathways and fewer clustering reactions. However, operation at higher pressures promises increased sensitivity and smaller instrument size. In this work, we therefore study the theoretical requirements to prevent dielectric breakdown while maintaining high reduced electric field strengths at higher pressures. Furthermore, we experimentally investigate influences of the pressure, discharge currents and applied voltages on the corona ionization source. Based on these results, we present a HiKE-IMS that operates at a pressure of 60 mbar and reduced electric field strengths of up to 105 Td. The corona experiments show shark fin shaped curves for the total charge at the detector with a distinct optimum operating point in the glow discharge region at a corona discharge current of 5 μA. Here, the available charge is maximized while the generation of less-reactive ion species like NO_x⁺ is minimized. With these settings, the reactant ion population, H₃O⁺ and O₂⁺, for ionizing and detecting nonpolar substances like n-hexane is still available even at 60 mbar, achieving a limit of detection of just 5 ppb_V for n-hexane.

Kinetics for the Reactions of H3O+(H2O)n=0-3 with Isoprene (2-Methyl-1,3-butadiene) as a Function of Temperature (300-500 K)

We report kinetics studies of H₃O⁺(H₂O)_n=0-3 with isoprene (2-methyl-1,3-butadiene, C₅H₈) as a function of temperature (300-500 K) measured using a flowing afterglow-selected ion flow tube. Results are supported by density functional (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP/def2-TZVP level. H₃O⁺ (n = 0) reacts with isoprene near the collision limit exclusively via proton transfer to form C₅H₉⁺. The first hydrate (n = 1) also reacts at the collision limit and only the proton transfer product is observed, although hydrated protonated isoprene may have been produced and dissociated thermally. Addition of a second water (n = 2) lowers the rate constant by about a factor of 10. The proton transfer of H₃O⁺(H₂O)₂ to isoprene is endothermic, but transfer of the water ligands lowers the thermicity and the likely process occurring is H₃O⁺(H₂O)₂ + C₅H₈ → C₅H₉⁺(H₂O)₂ + H₂O, followed by thermal dissociation of C₅H₉⁺(H₂O)₂. Statistical modeling indicates the amount of reactivity is consistent with the process being slightly endothermic, as is indicated by the DFT calculations. This reactivity was obscured in past experiments due to the presence of water in the reaction zone. The third hydrate is observed not to react and helps explain the past results for n = 2, as n = 2 and 3 were in equilibrium in that flow tube experiment. Very little dependence on temperature was found for the three species that did react. Finally, the C₅H₉⁺ proton transfer product further reacted with isoprene to produce mainly C₆H₉⁺ along with a small amount of clustering.

Influence of Sample Gas Humidity on Product Ion Formation in High Kinetic Energy Ion Mobility Spectrometry (HiKE-IMS)

High Kinetic Energy Ion Mobility Spectrometers (HiKE-IMS) chemically ionize gaseous samples via reactant ions and separate the generated ions by their motion in a neutral gas under the influence of an electric field. Operation at reduced pressures of 10-40 mbar allows for reaching high reduced electric field strengths (E/N) of up to 120 Td. At these high E/N, the generated ions gain the namesake high kinetic energies, leading to a decrease in cluster size of the reactant ions by increasing the reaction rate of collision-induced cluster dissociation of hydrates. In positive ion polarity and in purified air, H₃O⁺(H₂O)_n, NO⁺(H₂O)_n, and O₂^+•(H₂O)_p are the most abundant reactant ions. In this work, we investigate the effect of varying sample gas humidity on product ion formation for several model substances. Results show that increasing the sample gas humidity at high E/N of 120 Td shifts product ion formation from a charge transfer dominated reaction system to a proton transfer dominated reaction system. For HiKE-IMS operated at high E/N, the reduction in cluster size of reactant ions allows ionization of analytes with low proton affinity even at high relative humidity in the sample gas of RH = 75% at 303.15 K and 1013.25 hPa. In contrast to conventional IMS, where increasing the sample gas humidity inhibits ionization for various analytes, increasing sample gas humidity in HiKE-IMS operated at 120 Td is actually beneficial for ionization yield of most analytes investigated in this work as it increases the number of H₃O⁺(H₂O)n.

The potential of NO+ and O2 +• in switchable reagent ion proton transfer reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS) and proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry with switchable reagent ion capability (PTR+SRI-MS) are analytical techniques for real-time qualification and quantification of compounds in gas samples with trace level concentrations. In the detection process, neutral compounds-mainly volatile organic compounds-are ionized via chemical ionization with ionic reagents or primary ions. The most common reagent ions are H₃ O⁺ , NO⁺ and O₂ ^+• . While ionization with H₃ O⁺ occurs by means of proton transfer, the ionization via NO⁺ and O₂ ^+• offers a larger variety on ionization pathways, as charge transfer, hydride abstraction and so on are possible. The distribution of the reactant into various reaction channels depends not only on the usage of either NO⁺ or O₂ ^+• , but also on the class of analyte compounds. Furthermore, the choice of the reaction conditions as well as the choice of either SIFT-MS or PTR+SRI-MS might have a large impact on the resulting products. Therefore, an overview of both NO⁺ and O₂ ^+• as reagent ions is given, showing differences between SIFT-MS and PTR+SRI-MS as used analytical methods revealing the potential how the knowledge obtained with H₃ O⁺ for different classes of compounds can be extended with the usage of NO⁺ and O₂ ^+• .

Estimation of clinical parameters of chronic kidney disease by exhaled breath full-scan mass spectrometry data and iterative PCA with intensity screening algorithm

Breath mass spectrometry is a useful tool for identifying important compounds associated with health. However, there have been few studies that have explored human exhaled breath by full-scan mass spectrometry as a non-invasive method for medical diagnosis, which may be attributed to the difficulties resulting from multicollinearity and small sample sizes relative to a large number of product ions. In this study, breath samples from 54 chronic kidney disease patients were analyzed by selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry in the full-scan mode. With the signal intensities of product ions, we developed a novel and robust algorithm, iterative PCA with intensity screening (IPS), to build linear models for estimating important clinical parameters of chronic kidney disease. It has been shown that IPS provided good estimations in cross-validated samples, and furthermore the identified product ions could have direct medical relevance to the disease. The study demonstrated the potential of quantitative breath analysis using mass spectrometry for medical diagnosis, and the importance of applying appropriate statistical tools to unveil the rich information in this type of data.

Quantification of pentane in exhaled breath, a potential biomarker of bowel disease, using selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry

RATIONALE

Inflammatory bowel disease has a relatively large incidence in modern populations and the current diagnostic methods are either invasive or have limited sensitivity or specificity. Thus, there is a need for new non-invasive methods for its diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring, and breath analysis represents a promising direction in this area of research. Specifically, a method is needed for the absolute quantification of pentane in human breath.

METHODS

Selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS) has been used to study the kinetics of the O2(+) reaction with pentane. Product ions at m/z 42 and 72 were chosen as characteristic ions useful for the quantification of pentane and the reactivity of these ions with water vapour was characterized. A pilot study has been carried out of pentane in the exhaled breath of patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) and of healthy volunteers.

RESULTS

Accurate data on the kinetics of the gas phase reaction of the O2(+•) ions with pentane have been obtained: rate coefficient 8 × 10(-10) cm(3) s(-1) (±5%) and branching ratios into the following product ions C5H12(+•) (m/z 72, 31%); C4H9(+) (m/z 57, 8%); C3H7(+) (m/z 43, 40%), C3H6(+•) (m/z 42, 21%). A method of calculation of absolute pentane concentration in exhaled breath was formulated using the count rates of the ions at m/z 32, 42, 55 and 72. Pentane was found to be significantly elevated in the breath of both the CD (mean 114 ppbv) and the UC patients (mean 84 ppbv) relative to the healthy controls (mean 40 ppbv).

CONCLUSIONS

SIFT-MS can be used to quantify pentane in human breath in real time avoiding sample storage. This method of analysis can ultimately form the basis of non-invasive screening of inflammatory processes, including inflammatory bowel disease.

On the features, successes and challenges of selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry

The major features of the selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS) analytical method that was conceived and designed for the analysis, in real time, of air obviating sample collections into bags or extraction by pre-concentration of trace compounds onto surfaces are reviewed. The unique analytical capabilities of SIFT-MS for ambient analysis are stressed that allow quantification of volatile organic and inorganic compounds directly from the measurement of physical parameters without the need for regular instrumental calibration using internal or external standards. Then, emphasis is placed on the challenging real-time accurate analysis of single exhalations of humid breath, which is now achieved and readily facilitates wider applications of SIFT-MS in other fields where trace gas analysis has value. The quality of the data obtained by SIFT-MS is illustrated by the quantification of some exhaled breath metabolites that are of immediate relevance to physiology and medicine, including that of hydrogen cyanide in the breath of patients with cystic fibrosis. The current status of SIFT-MS is revealed by a form of a strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis intended to present an objective view of this analytical technique and the likely way forward towards its further development and application.

Dependence of exhaled breath composition on exogenous factors, smoking habits and exposure to air pollutants

Non-invasive disease monitoring on the basis of volatile breath markers is a very attractive but challenging task. Several hundreds of compounds have been detected in exhaled air using modern analytical techniques (e.g. proton-transfer reaction mass spectrometry, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) and have even been linked to various diseases. However,the biochemical background for most of compounds detected in breath samples has not been elucidated; therefore, the obtained results should be interpreted with care to avoid false correlations. The major aim of this study was to assess the effects of smoking on the composition of exhaled breath. Additionally, the potential origin of breath volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is discussed focusing on diet, environmental exposure and biological pathways based on other's studies. Profiles of VOCs detected in exhaled breath and inspired air samples of 115 subjects with addition of urine headspace derived from 50 volunteers are presented. Samples were analyzed with GC-MS after preconcentration on multibed sorption tubes in case of breath samples and solid phase micro-extraction (SPME) in the case of urine samples. Altogether 266 compounds were found in exhaled breath of at least 10% of the volunteers. From these, 162 compounds were identified by spectral library match and retention time (based on reference standards). It is shown that the composition of exhaled breath is considerably influenced by exposure to pollution and indoor-air contaminants and particularly by smoking. More than 80 organic compounds were found to be significantly related to smoking, the largest group comprising unsaturated hydrocarbons (29 dienes, 27 alkenes and 3 alkynes). On the basis of the presented results, we suggest that for the future understanding of breath data it will be necessary to carefully investigate the potential biological origin of volatiles, e.g., by means of analysis of tissues, isolated cell lines or other body fluids. In particular, VOCs linked to smoking habit or being the results of human exposure should be considered with care for clinical diagnosis since small changes in their concentration profiles(typically in the ppt(v)–ppb(v) range) revealing that the outbreak of certain disease might be hampered by already high background.

Ambient analysis of trace compounds in gaseous media by SIFT-MS

The topic of ambient gas analysis has been rapidly developed in the last few years with the evolution of the exciting new techniques such as DESI, DART and EESI. The essential feature of all is that analysis of trace gases can be accomplished either in the gas phase or those released from surfaces, crucially avoiding sample collection or modification. In this regard, selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry, SIFT-MS, also performs ambient analyses both accurately and rapidly. In this focused review we describe the underlying ion chemistry underpinning SIFT-MS through a discourse on the reactions of different classes of organic and inorganic molecules with H(3)O(+), NO(+) and O(2)(+)˙ studied using the SIFT technique. Rate coefficients and ion products of these reactions facilitate absolute SIFT-MS analyses and can also be useful for the interpretation of data obtained by the other ambient analysis methods mentioned above. The essential physics and flow dynamics of SIFT-MS are described that, together with the reaction kinetics, allow SIFT-MS to perform absolute ambient analyses of trace compounds in humid atmospheric air, exhaled breath and the headspace of aqueous liquids. Several areas of research that, through pilot experiments, are seen to benefit from ambient gas analysis using SIFT-MS are briefly reviewed. Special attention is given to exhaled breath and urine headspace analysis directed towards clinical diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring, and some other areas researched using SIFT-MS are summarised. Finally, extensions to current areas of application and indications of other directions in which SIFT-MS can be exploited for ambient analysis are alluded to.

Progress in SIFT-MS: breath analysis and other applications

The development of selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry, SIFT-MS, is described from its inception as the modified very large SIFT instruments used to demonstrate the feasibility of SIFT-MS as an analytical technique, towards the smaller but bulky transportable instruments and finally to the current smallest Profile 3 instruments that have been located in various places, including hospitals and schools to obtain on-line breath analyses. The essential physics and engineering principles are discussed, which must be appreciated to design and construct a SIFT-MS instrument. The versatility and sensitivity of the Profile 3 instrument is illustrated by typical mass spectra obtained using the three precursor ions H(3)O(+), NO(+) and O(2)(+)·, and the need to account for differential ionic diffusion and mass discrimination in the analytical algorithms is emphasized to obtain accurate trace gas analyses. The performance of the Profile 3 instrument is illustrated by the results of several pilot studies, including (i) on-line real time quantification of several breath metabolites for cohorts of healthy adults and children, which have provided representative concentration/population distributions, and the comparative analyses of breath exhaled via the mouth and nose that identify systemic and orally-generated compounds, (ii) the enhancement of breath metabolites by drug ingestion, (iii) the identification of HCN as a marker of Pseudomonas colonization of the airways and (iv) emission of volatile compounds from urine, especially ketone bodies, and from skin. Some very recent developments are discussed, including the quantification of carbon dioxide in breath and the combination of SIFT-MS with GC and ATD, and their significance. Finally, prospects for future SIFT-MS developments are alluded to.

Effect of milk on the deodorization of malodorous breath after garlic ingestion

The effect of milk and milk components on the deodorization of diallyl disulfide (DADS), allyl methyl disulfide (AMDS), allyl mercaptan (AM), allyl methyl sulfide (AMS), and methyl mercaptan (MM) in the headspace of garlic as well as in the mouth- and nose-space after garlic ingestion was investigated using selected ion flow tube-mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS). Fat-free and whole milk significantly reduced the head-, mouth-, and nose-space concentrations of all volatiles. Water was the major component in milk responsible for the deodorization of volatiles. Due to its higher fat content, whole milk was more effective than fat-free milk in the deodorization of the more hydrophobic volatiles diallyl disulfide and allyl methyl disulfide. Milk was more effective than water and 10% sodium caseinate in the deodorization of allyl methyl sulfide, a persistent garlic odor, in the mouth after garlic ingestion. Addition of milk to garlic before ingestion had a higher deodorizing effect on the volatiles in the mouth than drinking milk after consuming garlic. Practical Application: Ingesting beverages or foods with high water and/or fat content such as milk may help reduce the malodorous odor in breath after garlic ingestion and mask the garlic flavor during eating. To enhance the deodorizing effect, deodorant foods should be mixed with garlic before ingestion.

The reactions of a series of terpenoids with H(3) O(+) , NO(+) and O 2+ studied using selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry

The reactions of H(3) O(+) , NO(+) and O 2+ with twelve terpenoids and one terpene, all of which occur naturally in plants and which possess important smell and flavourant properties, were characterized using Selected Ion Flow Tube Mass Spectrometry (SIFT-MS). The H(3) O(+) reactions resulted primarily in the formation of the proton transfer product and occasionally in a water elimination product. The NO(+) reactions instead generated the charge transfer product or NO(+) adducts, and occasionally alkyl fragments, or resulted in hydride abstraction. Reaction with O 2+ caused a higher fragmentation of the terpenoids with the molecular ion being the minor product of most reactions. Identification and quantification of each compound in complex mixtures are probably possible in most cases using the H(3) O(+) and/or NO(+) precursors while O 2+ may be useful for isomer discrimination. Our data suggests that SIFT-MS may be a useful tool for the rapid analysis of these compounds in plants and derived foodstuffs.

Selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS) for on-line trace gas analysis

Selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS) is a new analytical technique for the real-time quantification of several trace gases simultaneously in air and breath. It relies on chemical ionization of the trace gas molecules in air/breath samples introduced into helium carrier gas using H(3)O(+), NO(+), and O(2) (+.) precursor ions. Reactions between the precursor ions and trace gas molecules proceed for an accurately defined time, the precursor and product ions being detected and counted by a downstream mass spectrometer, thus effecting quantification. Absolute concentrations of trace gases in single breath exhalation can be determined by SIFT-MS down to ppb levels, obviating sample collection and calibration. Illustrative examples of SIFT-MS studies include (i) analysis of gases from combustion engines, animals and their waste, and food; (ii) breath and urinary headspace studies of metabolites, ethanol metabolism, elevated acetone during ovulation, and exogenous compounds; and (iii) urinary infection and the presence of tumors, the influence of dialysis on breath ammonia, acetone, and isoprene, and acetaldehyde released by cancer cells in vitro. Flowing afterglow mass spectrometry (FA-MS) is briefly described, which allows on-line quantification of deuterium in breath water vapor.

Trace gases in breath of healthy volunteers when fasting and after a protein-calorie meal: a preliminary study

The selected ion flow tube technique was used to quantify in breath the trace gases acetone, ammonia, ethanol, isoprene, and methanol during single exhalations while fasting and in response to feeding. Six normal volunteers were fasted for 12 h, and, after baseline breath samples were obtained, were fed a liquid protein-calorie meal to provide 0.47 g/kg of protein (Fortisip). Further breath samples were obtained at 20, 40, and 60 min, and then hourly for a further 5 h. Breath acetone concentrations fell from a maximum during fasting, reaching their nadir between 4 and 5 h. Breath ammonia concentrations fell immediately to one-half their fasting levels before a steady increase to two or three times baseline values at 5 h. There was a brief increase in breath ethanol concentrations after feeding, reflecting detectable ethanol contamination of the food. Subsequently, breath ethanol levels remained low throughout the experimental protocol. Isoprene concentrations did not change significantly, whereas changes in methanol concentrations reflected those in the ambient air. This preliminary study indicates that the selected ion flow tube technique may be used to detect changes in the trace gases present in breath and define their concentrations in the fasting and replete state. Of particular interest is the biphasic response of the breath ammonia concentration after feeding.

Gas-phase NO+ affinities

A scale of relative gas-phase NO+ binding energies (BEs) has been constructed by evaluation of NO+-transfer equilibria LINO+ + L2 <==> L2NO+ + L1 by Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry and by application of the kinetic method, based on the metastable fragmentation of L1(NO+)L2 nitryl-ion bound dimers. The relative scale, anchored to the NO+ affinity of water, for 52 ligands, including alkyl halides, alkyl nitrates, alcohols, nitroalkanes, nitriles, aldehydes, ketones, and aromatic and heterocyclic compounds, led to an absolute NO+ affinity scale. The results are compared with those of an earlier study, and the apparent discrepancies are traced to a different choice of the absolute BE value used as the reference standard. The NO+ BEs fit a satisfactorily linear correlation when plotted versus the corresponding proton affinities (PAs). The NO+ BEs, while much lower than the PAs, are nevertheless higher than the corresponding BEs of the strictly related NO2+ cation, a result consistent with the experimental and theoretical results currently available on the structure and the stability of NO+ and NO2+ complexes. The NO+ BE vs. PA correlation allows one to estimate within 1-2 kcal x mol(-1) the NO+ BE of the molecules included in the comprehensive PA compilations currently available. For example, the correlation gives the following NO+ affinities of the DNA bases, in kcal x mol(-1) (1 kcal = 4.18 kJ): adenine, 40.3; cytosine, 40.4; guanine, 40.1; and thymine, 34.9. The experimental NO+ BE of thymine, the only one accessible to direct measurement, amounts to 35.6 +/- 2 kcal x mol(-1), which underlines the predictive value of the correlation. This study reports the second successful extension of the kinetic method to the evaluation of the absolute BEs of polyatomic cations, following our recent application to the strictly related NO2+ ion.

Selected ion flow tube: a technique for quantitative trace gas analysis of air and breath

The selected ion flow tube (SIFT) technique for trace gas analysis of air and breath is based on soft chemical ionisation of the trace gases to the exclusion of the major air and breath gases, in fast-flowing inert carrier gas, exploiting the ion-molecule reactions that occur between the trace gases and the pre selected precursor ions (H3O+, NO+ and O2+). The physics and ion chemistry involved in the SIFT technique are described, as are the kinetics of the ion-molecule reactions that are exploited to quantitatively analyse the trace gases. Fast on-line data-acquisition hardware and software have been developed to analyse the mass spectra obtained, from which partial pressures of the trace gases down to about 10 parts per billion can be measured. The time response of the instrument is 20 ms, allowing the profiles of the trace gas concentrations on breath to be obtained during a normal breathing cycle. Pilot results obtained with this SIFT technique include detection and quantification of the most abundant breath trace gases, analysis of cigarette smoke, detection of gases present on smokers' breath and accurate measurement of the partial pressures of NH3, NO and NO2 in air. The simultaneous analysis of several breath trace gases during a single exhalation is clearly demonstrated, and thus different elution times for isoprene and methanol along the respiratory tract are observed. This technique has great potential in many clinical and biological disciplines, and in health and safety monitoring.