Review: Derivatization in mass spectrometry--2. Acylation

Development of an easy-to-set-up multiple heart-cutting achiral-chiral LC-LC method for the analysis of branched-chain amino acids in commercial tablets

In this paper, the development and application of a multiple heart-cutting achiral-chiral LC-LC method (mLC-LC) for the analysis of dansylated (Dns) branched-chain amino acids in commercial tablets are described. In the first dimension, a Waters Xbridge RP C18 achiral column was used under gradient conditions with buffered aqueous solution and acetonitrile. The elution order Dns-valine (Dns-Val) < Dns-isoleucine (Dns-Ile) < Dns-leucine (Dns-Leu) turned out with full resolution between adjacent peaks: 7.25 and 1.50 for the Val/Ile and the Ile/Leu pairs, respectively. A "research" validation study was performed, revealing high accuracy (Recovery%) and precision (RSD%) using two external set solutions, respectively, in the range 93.7%-104.1% and 0.4%-3.2%. The C18 column was connected via a two-position six-port switching valve to the quinidine-based Chiralpak quinidine-anion-exchange chiral column. A water/acetonitrile, 30/70 (v/v) with 50 mM ammonium acetate (apparent pH of 5.5) eluent allowed getting the three enantiomers' pairs resolved: RS equal to 4.3 for Dns-Val and Dns-Ile, and 1.7 for Dns-Leu. The application of the mLC-LC method confirmed that the content of Val, Ile, and Leu in the tablets was compliant with that labeled by the producer. Only l-enantiomers were found in the food supplement, as confirmed by LC-MS/MS analysis.

Sample preparation for fatty acid analysis in biological samples with mass spectrometry-based strategies

Fatty acids (FAs) have attracted many interests for their pivotal roles in many biological processes. Imbalance of FAs is related to a variety of diseases, which makes the measurement of them important in biological samples. Over the past two decades, mass spectrometry (MS) has become an indispensable technique for the analysis of FAs owing to its high sensitivity and precision. Due to complex matrix effect of biological samples and inherent poor ionization efficiency of FAs in MS, sample preparation including extraction and chemical derivatization prior to analysis are often employed. Here, we describe an updated overview of FA extraction techniques, as well as representative derivatization methods utilized in different MS platforms including gas chromatography-MS, liquid chromatography-MS, and mass spectrometry imaging based on different chain lengths of FAs. Derivatization strategies for the identification of double bond location in unsaturated FAs are also summarized and highlighted. The advantages, disadvantages, and prospects of these methods are compared and discussed. This review provides the development and valuable information for sample pretreatment approaches and qualitative and quantitative analysis of interested FAs using different MS-based platforms in complex biological matrices. Finally, the challenges of FA analysis are summarized and the future perspectives are prospected.

Mass Spectrometry Based on Chemical Derivatization Has Brought Novel Discoveries to Lipidomics: A Comprehensive Review

Lipids, as one of the most important organic compounds in organisms, are important components of cells and participate in energy storage and signal transduction of living organisms. As a rapidly rising field, lipidomics research involves the identification and quantification of multiple classes of lipid molecules, as well as the structure, function, dynamics, and interactions of lipids in living organisms. Due to its inherent high selectivity and high sensitivity, mass spectrometry (MS) is the "gold standard" analysis technique for small molecules in biological samples. The combination chemical derivatization with MS detection is a unique strategy that could improve MS ionization efficiency, facilitate structure identification and quantitative analysis. Herein, this review discusses derivatization-based MS strategies for lipidomic analysis over the past decade and focuses on all the reported lipid categories, including fatty acids and modified fatty acids, glycerolipids, glycerophospholipids, sterols and saccharolipids. The functional groups of lipids mainly involved in chemical derivatization include the C=C group, carboxyl group, hydroxyl group, amino group, carbonyl group. Furthermore, representative applications of these derivatization-based lipid profiling methods were summarized. Finally, challenges and countermeasures of lipid derivatization are mentioned and highlighted to guide future studies of derivatization-based MS strategy in lipidomics.

Research of Pesticide Metabolites in Human Brain Tumor Tissues by Chemometrics-Based Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Analysis for a Hypothetical Correlation between Pesticide Exposure and Risk Factor of Central Nervous System Tumors

Pesticides are widely used, resulting in continuing human exposure with potential health impacts. Some exposures related to agricultural works have been associated with neurological disorders. Since the 2000s, the hypothesis of the role of pesticides in the occurrence of central nervous system (CNS) tumors has been better documented in the literature. However, the etiology of childhood brain cancers still remains largely unknown. The major objective of this work was to assess the potential role of pesticide exposure as a risk factor for CNS tumors based on questionnaires and statistical analysis of information collected from patients hospitalized in the Neurosurgery Department of the Habib Bourguiba Hospital Medium in Sfax, Tunisia, during the period from January 1, 2022, to May 31, 2023. It also aimed to develop a simple and rapid analytical method by the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry technique for the research traces of pesticide metabolites in some collected human brain tumor tissues in order to more emphasize our hypothesis for such a correlation between pesticide exposure and brain tumor development. Patients with a history of high-risk exposure were selected to conduct further analysis. Chemometric methods were adapted to discern intrinsic variation between pathological and control groups and ascertain effective separation with the identification of differentially expressed metabolites accountable for such variations. Three samples revealed traces of pesticide metabolites that were mostly detected at an early age. The histopathological diagnosis was medulloblastoma for a 10-year-old child and high-grade gliomas for 27- and 35-year-old adults. The bivariate analyses (odds ratio >1 and P value <5%) confirmed the great probability of developing cancer by an exposure case. The Cox proportional hazards model revealed the risk of carcinogenicity beyond the age of 50 as a long-term effect of pesticide toxicity. Our study supports the correlation between pesticide exposure and the risk of development of human brain tumors, suggesting that preconception pesticide exposure, and possibly exposure during pregnancy, is associated with an increased childhood brain tumor risk. This hypothesis was enhanced in identifying traces of metabolites from the carbamate insecticide class known for their neurotoxicity and others from pyridazinone, organochlorines (OCs), triazole fungicide, and N-nitroso compounds known for their carcinogenicity. The 2D-OXYBLOT analysis confirmed the neurotoxicity effect of insecticides to induce oxidative damage in CNS cells. Aldicarb was implicated in brain carcinogenicity confirmed by the identification of oxime metabolites in a stress degradation study. Revealing "aziridine" metabolites from the OC class may better emphasize the theory of detecting traces of pesticide metabolites at an early age. Overall, our findings lead to the recommendation of limiting the residential use of pesticides and the support of public health policies serving this objective that we need to be vigilant in the postmarketing surveillance of human health impacts.

Determination of up to twenty carboxylic acid containing compounds in clinically relevant matrices by o-benzylhydroxylamine derivatization and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Carboxylic acid containing compounds (R-COOH) are involved in a large number of biological processes and they are relevant for several pathological processes such as neurodegeneration or cancer. Comprehensive methodologies for the quantitative determination of R-COOH in biological samples are required. In this study we have developed a LC-MS/MS method for the quantification of 20 endogenous R-COOH belonging to different pathways such as kynurenine metabolism, serotoninergic pathway, glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid cycle, dopaminergic pathway, short chain fatty acids and glycine metabolism. The approach included derivatization with o-benzylhydroxylamine (reaction time 1 h), liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate and LC-MS/MS detection (run time 10 min). The method was optimized and validated in 5 different matrices (urine, plasma, saliva, brain and liver) following two different approaches: (i) using surrogate matrices and (ii) using actual human samples by standard additions. A suitable linearity was obtained in the endogenous range of the analytes. Adequate intra and inter-assay accuracies (80-120%) and intra- and inter-assay precisions (<20%) were achieved for almost all analytes in all studied matrices. The method was applied in several scenarios to confirm (i) human urinary changes produced in glycolysis after exercise, (ii) metabolic changes produced in rat brain and plasma by methamphetamine administration and (iii) metabolic alterations in human plasma caused by vitamin B6 deficiency. Additionally, the application of the method allowed for establishing previously unreported alterations in R-COOH metabolites under these conditions. Due to the comprehensive analyte and matrix coverage and the wide applicability of the developed methodology, it can be considered as a suitable tool for the study of R-COOH status in health and disease by targeted metabolomics.

Identification and Determination of 1,3-Thiazinane-4-carboxylic Acid in Human Urine-Chromatographic Studies

It is well established that homocysteine (Hcy) and its thiolactone (HTL) are reactive towards aldehydes in an aqueous environment, forming substituted thiazinane carboxylic acids. This report provides evidence that Hcy/HTL and formaldehyde (FA) adduct, namely 1,3-thiazinane-4-carboxylic acid (TCA) is formed in vivo in humans. In order to provide definitive proof, a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) based method was elaborated to identify and quantify TCA in human urine. The GC-MS assay involves chemical derivatization with isobutyl chloroformate (IBCF) in the presence of pyridine as a catalyst, followed by an ethyl acetate extraction of the obtained isobutyl derivative of TCA (TCA-IBCF). The validity of the method has been demonstrated based upon United States Food and Drug Administration recommendations. The assay linearity was observed within a 1-50 µmol L-1 range for TCA in urine, while the lowest concentration on the calibration curve was recognized as the limit of quantification (LOQ). Importantly, the method was successfully applied to urine samples delivered by apparently healthy volunteers (n = 15). The GC-MS assay may provide a new analytical tool for routine clinical analysis of the role of TCA in living systems in the near future.

Direct Liquid Extraction and Ionization Techniques for Understanding Multimolecular Environments in Biological Systems (Secondary Publication)

A combination of direct liquid extraction using a small volume of solvent and electrospray ionization allows the rapid measurement of complex chemical components in biological samples and visualization of their distribution in tissue sections. This review describes the development of such techniques and their application to biological research since the first reports in the early 2000s. An overview of electrospray ionization, ion suppression in samples, and the acceleration of specific chemical reactions in charged droplets is also presented. Potential future applications for visualizing multimolecular environments in biological systems are discussed.

Chemical Conversion of Hardly Ionizable Rhenium Aryl Chlorocomplexes with p-Substituted Anilines

Fast and selective analytical methods help to ensure the chemical identity and desired purity of the prepared complexes before their medical application, and play an indispensable role in clinical practice. Mass spectrometry, despite some limitations, is an integral part of these methods. In the context of mass spectrometry, specific problems arise with the low ionization efficiency of particular analytes. Chemical derivatization was used as one of the most effective methods to improve the analyte’s response and separation characteristics. The Schotten–Baumann reaction was successfully adapted for the derivatization of ESI hardly ionizable Re(VII) bis(catechol) oxochlorocomplex. Various alkyl and halogen p-substituted anilines as possible derivatization agents were tested. Unlike the starting complex, the reaction products were easily ionizable in electrospray, providing structurally characteristic molecular and fragment anions. DFT computer modeling, which proposed significant conformation changes of prepared complexes within their deprotonation, proved to have a close link to MS spectra. High-resolution MS and MS/MS measurements complemented with collision-induced dissociation experiments for detailed specification of prepared complexes’ fragmentation pathways were used. The specified fragmentation schemes were analogous for all studied derivatives, with an exception for [Re(O)(Cat)₂PIPA].

Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry-Based Metabolomics

Compared to one-dimensional gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS), GC × GC-MS provides significantly increased peak capacity, resolution, and sensitivity for analysis of complex biological samples. In the last decade, GC × GC-MS has been increasingly applied to the discovery of metabolite biomarkers and elucidation of metabolic mechanisms in human diseases. The recent development of coupling GC × GC with a high-resolution mass spectrometer further accelerates these metabolomic applications. In this chapter, we will briefly review the instrumentation, sample preparation, data analysis, and applications of GC × GC-MS-based metabolomic analysis.

Gas Chromatographic and Spectrophotometric Determination of Diclofenac Sodium, Ibuprofen, and Mefenamic Acid in Urine and Blood Samples

Objectives

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used for the treatment of acute to chronic pain. A simple, fast, and reliable gas chromatographic (GC) method with flame ionization detection has been developed for the determination of NSAIDs such as diclofenac sodium, ibuprofen, and mefenamic acid after derivatization with ethyl chloroformate.

Materials and Methods

The GC conditions were optimized as elution from a DB-1 column (30 mx0.32 mm id) at column temperature 150 °C for 3 min, followed by a heating rate of 20 °C/min up to 280 °C and a hold time of 5 min. The nitrogen flow rate was 2.5 mL/min. For spectrophotometric studies, the absorbance was measured against methanol at a wavelength of 200-500 nm.

Results

The calibration curves were linear within 2-10 μg/mL with limits of detection of 0.4-0.6 μg/mL of each drug. The derivatization elution, separation, and quantitation were repeatable (n=3) with relative standard deviation (RSD) within 3.9%. The method was applied for the analysis of the drugs from pharmaceutical formulations and the results of the analysis agreed with labeled values with RSDs within 0.5-3.9%. The results were also confirmed by standard addition method. The percent recovery was calculated with spiked deproteinized human blood serum and urine samples and % recovery of the drugs was obtained within 96-98% with RSDs within 3.1%.

Conclusion

The validated method proved its ability for the assay of NSAIDs in bulk and dosage form in a short analysis time. The method was also useful for the analysis of biological samples.

2-(3-Hydroxy-5-phosphonooxymethyl-2-methyl-4-pyridyl)-1,3-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic Acid, Novel Metabolite of Pyridoxal 5'-Phosphate and Cysteine Is Present in Human Plasma-Chromatographic Investigations

It is well-established that aminothiols, to which cysteine (Cys) belongs, are highly reactive towards aldehydes in an aqueous environment, forming substituted thiazolidine carboxylic acids. This report provides evidence that formation of the product containing a thiazolidine ring through non-enzymatic condensation of Cys and an active form of vitamin B6 pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) occurs in vivo in humans. To prove this point, a new method, based on a gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS), has been designed to identify and quantify Cys and PLP adduct, 2-(3-hydroxy-5-phosphonooxymethyl-2-methyl-4-pyridyl)-1,3-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (HPPTCA) in human plasma. The GC-MS assay relies on sample deproteinization by ultrafiltration over cut-off membranes and preconcentration by drying under vacuum, followed by treatment of the residue with derivatization mixture containing anhydrous pyridine, N-trimethylsilyl-N-methyl trifluoroacetamide (MSTFA) and trimethylchlorosilane (TMCS). The method quantifies HPPTCA in a linear range from 1 to 20 µmol L^-1, where the lowest standard on the calibration curve refers to the limit of quantification (LOQ). The validity of the method was demonstrated. Furthermore, the method was successfully applied to plasma samples donated by apparently healthy volunteers and breast cancer patients. The GC-MS assay provides a new tool that will hopefully facilitate studies on the role of HPPTCA in living systems.

Optimization of morphine extraction method for the assay of its urinary 3-glucuronideconjuguate by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

In the field of doping, a great interest is carried for the analysis of morphine, a powerful narcotic analgesic opiate which use is prohibited during competitions. In order to confirm the abnormal analytical result in our anti-doping laboratory, a sensitive and selective gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method was performed for the quantification of urinary morphine. As sample preparation is a key step for the determination of drugs in biological samples, the aim of this work consists of the optimization of the urinary human sample pretreatment conditions before quantification by GC/MS. Enzymatic hydrolysis associated with liquid-liquid extraction constitute the major pre-treatment steps. Our study has first focused on the optimization of the extraction solvents then to enzymatic hydrolysis which morphine is released from its glucuronide conjugated form. Onboard premiums, a study involving the effect of "amount of enzyme", "incubation temperature" and "duration of hydrolysis" was conducted. This univariate study has enabled us to evaluate the influence of each of these operating variables on the area ratio of morphine to the internal standard (A_morphine/A_IS) response and to set the experimental fields for each one of them. Based on these results, an experimental design was established using the Box-Behnken model to determine, by multivariate analysis, the optimal operating conditions maximizing the "A_mophine/A_IS" response. After validation, the analysis of response surface makes it possible to set the optimum operating conditions, which the ratio "A_morphine/A_IS" is maximized. The retained conditions for enzymatic hydrolysis are 160μl of Escherichia coli glucuronidase enzyme during 6hours of incubation at a temperature of 36°C. The solvent mixture Methyl-t-Butyl Ether/isopropanol (4:1, v/v) was selected since it has improved morphine extraction from the urinary matrix allowing a gain of 50% when compared to that used in our routine laboratory. Our developed extraction method can be successfully applied for our forensic anti-doping analysis of morphin in human sample urine.

Differentiation of isomeric haloanilines by tosylation in combination with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Differentiation of the isomeric haloanilines still remains a challenging and necessary analytic task due to their identical retention time in chromatography and similar mass spectra. In this work, p-tosylation of haloanilines by reaction of haloanilines with p-toluenesulfonyl chloride resulted in the corresponding N-tosyl haloanilines. Fragmentation of protonated N-tosyl haloanilines in electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) mainly resulted in tosyl cation, haloaniline radical cation, and halohydroxyaniline radical cation. The MS/MS of the three group isomeric derivatives showed significant difference in abundance distribution of these product ions, respectively. Theoretical calculations showed that the stability of the ion-neutral complex (INC) is a key factor influencing the relative intensity of the product ions. The three group isomeric derivatives were also separated by high performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) at conventional conditions. p-Tosylation combined tandem MS (or HPLC) technique were carried out to realize the differentiation of isomeric haloanilines.

Differentiation of isomeric methylanilines by imidization and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis

RATIONALE

Carcinogenic o-methylaniline is one of the banned aromatic amines in azo dyes, but it is very difficult to distinguish it from its noncarcinogenic isomers due to their identical retention time on chromatography and similar mass spectra.

METHODS

Imidization of the isomeric methylanilines was carried out by treatment with benzaldehyde under mild conditions. The formed derivatives were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Theoretical calculations were carried out on the Gaussian 03 program by using the density functional theory method at the B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) level.

RESULTS

Imidization of methylanilines occurred easily and gave rise to the corresponding N-methylbenzylidene benzenamines. The isomeric derivatives were completely separated by GC, and thus the three isomeric methylanilines could be determined simultaneously. Due to the ortho effect, the derivative from o-methylaniline has a characteristic fragment ion at m/z 118 with a stable bicyclic structure, and it could be easily differentiated from the meta- and para-isomers in electron ionization mass spectrometry.

CONCLUSIONS

These results provided a promising solution for simultaneous determination of isomeric methylanilines.

Isomeric differentiation of chloroanilines by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in combination with tosylation

p-Chloroaniline is one of the banned aromatic amines in azo dyes, but it is very difficult to distinguish it from its isomers due to their identical retention time in chromatography and similar mass spectra. In this work, derivatization of the isomeric chloroanilines was carried out to yield the corresponding N-tosyl chloroanilines, which were completely separated by gas chromatography and also possessed clearly different electron ionization mass spectra. Thus, the three isomers could be differentiated and determined at the same time. Density functional theory calculation results indicated that the effect of the substituent pattern in electron ionization mass spectrometry is mainly due to the difference in the stability of the product ion (P2) at m/z 126, originating from the loss of tosyl radical from the precursor ion.

Mass spectrometry of analytical derivatives. 1. Cyanide cations in the spectra of N- alkyl-N-perfluoroacyl- α-amino acids and their methyl esters

The central mission for the development of the National Institute of Standards and Technology/National Institutes of Health/Environmental Protection Agency Mass Spectral Library is the acquisition of reference gas chromatography-mass spectrometry data for important compounds and their chemical modification products. The addition of reliable reference data of various derivatives of amino acids to The Library, and the study of their behavior under electron ionization conditions may be useful for their identification, structure elucidation and a better understanding of the data obtained when the same derivatives are subjected to other ionization methods. N-Alkyl-N-perfluoroacyl derivatives of amino acids readily produce previously unreported alkylnitrilium cations of composition [HC≡N-alkyl](+). Homologous [HC≡N-aryl](+) cations are typical for corresponding N-aryl analogs. The formation of other ions characteristic for these derivatives involves oxygen rearrangement giving rise to ions [C(n)F(2n+1)-C≡N(+)C(n)H(2n+1)] and [CnF(2n+1)-C≡N(+)-aryl]. The introduction of an N-benzyl substituent in a molecule favors a process producing benzylidene iminium cations. L-Threonine and L-cysteine derivatives exhibit more fragmentation pathways not typical for other α-amino acids; additionally, the N(ω)- amino group in L-lysine directs the dissociation process and provides structural information on the substitution at the amino functions in the molecule.

Simple approach to derivatization of alcohols and phenols for the analysis by matrix(surface)-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

RATIONALE

Direct analysis of hydroxyl-containing compounds by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry (MS) methods is not always possible due to the neutral character of analytes. The suggested fixed-charge derivatization may increase the ionization efficiency for various alcohols and phenols in specific matrix- and surface-activated LDI conditions.

METHODS

Aliphatic and steroid alcohols, as well as chlorophenols, were converted into various ammonioacetyl derivatives, containing a covalently bonded charged group, by reaction with bromoacetyl chloride and amine-type compounds such as triethylamine, pyridine or quinoline. The derivatives are suitable for MALDI-time-of-flight (TOF)MS analysis.

RESULTS

Triethylammoniumacetyl, pyridyliumacetyl and quinoliniumacetyl derivatives were prepared from aliphatic alcohols, some sterols and chlorinated phenols in one stage with quantitative yields. The derivatives produced characteristic MALDI and SALDI mass spectra.

CONCLUSIONS

The suggested derivatization approach for the modification of alcohols is simple and does not require any expensive reagents. The derivatives include a fixed charge and produce intense signals in MALDI (preferentially non-acidic matrices) and matrix-free SALDI (nanostructured target) conditions. Corresponding mass spectra are suitable for the determination of molecular mass and profiling of alcohols.

Microfluidic lab-on-a-chip derivatization for gaseous carbonyl analysis

We present a microfluidic lab-on-a-chip derivatization technique for the analysis of gaseous carbonyl compounds using O-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl) hydroxylamine (PFBHA) as the derivatizing reagent. The novel microfluidic lab-on-a-chip derivatization technique has been developed to measure nmol per mole (ppbv) mixing ratios of gaseous carbonyl compounds, which are of particular importance to atmospheric chemistry. The technique utilised a planar glass microreactor comprising three inlets and one outlet, gas and fluid splitting and combining channels, mixing junctions, and a 2.0m long, 620μm internal diameter reaction microchannel. The microreactor integrated three functions, providing: (1) a gas and liquid mixer and reactor, (2) reagent heating, and (3) sample pre-concentration. The concentration of derivatization solution, the volumetric flow rates of the incoming gas sample and PFBHA solution, and the temperature of the microreactor were optimised to achieve a near real-time measurement. The enhanced phase contact area-to-volume ratio and the high heat transfer rate in the microreactor resulted in a fast and high efficiency derivatization reaction, generating an effluent stream which was ready for direct introduction to GC-MS. Good linearity was observed for eight carbonyl compounds over the measurement ranges of 1-500ppbv when they were derivatized under optimal reaction conditions. The method detection limits (MDLs) were below 0.10nmolmol(-1) for most carbonyls in this study, which is below or close to their typical concentrations in clean ambient air. The performance of the technique was assessed by applying the methodology to the quantification of glyoxal (GLY) and methylglyoxal (MGLY) formed during isoprene photo-oxidation in an outdoor photoreactor chamber (EUPHORE). Good agreements between GLY and MGLY measurements were obtained comparing this new technique with Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR), which provides support for the potential effectiveness of the microfluidic technique for gaseous measurements.

Review: mass spectrometry in Russia

The present review covers the main research in the area of mass spectrometry from the 1990s which was about the same time as the Russian Federation emerged from the collapse of the Soviet Union (USSR). It consists of two main parts-application of mass spectrometry to chemistry and related fields and creation and development of mass spectrometric technique. Both traditional and comparatively new mass spectrometric methods were used to solve various problems in organic chemistry (reactivity of gas-phase ions, structure elucidation and problems of identification, quantitative and trace analysis, differentiation of stereoisomers, derivatization approaches etc.), biochemistry (proteomics and peptidomics, lipidomics), medical chemistry (mainly the search of biomarkers, pharmacology, doping control), environmental, petrochemistry, polymer chemistry, inorganic and physical chemistry, determination of natural isotope ratio etc. Although a lot of talented mass spectrometrists left Russia and moved abroad after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the vitality of the mass spectral community proved to be rather high, which allowed the continuation of new developments in the field of mass spectrometric instrumentation. They are devoted to improvements in traditional magnetic sector mass spectrometers and the development of new ion source types, to analysis and modification of quadrupole, time-of-flight (ToF) and ion cyclotron resonance (ICR) analyzers. The most important achievements are due to the creation of multi-reflecting ToF mass analyzers. Special attention was paid to the construction of compact mass spectrometers, particularly for space exploration, of combined instruments, such as ion mobility spectrometer/mass spectrometer and accelerating mass spectrometers. The comparatively young Russian Mass Spectrometry Society is working hard to consolidate the mass spectrometrists from Russia and foreign countries, to train young professionals on new appliances and regularly holds conferences on mass spectrometry. For ten years, a special journal Mass-spektrometria has published papers on all disciplines of mass spectrometry.

Characterization of low-molecular weight iodine-terminated polyethylenes by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry with the use of derivatization

Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-ToF) mass spectrometry, in conjunction with various derivatization approaches, have been applied to structure determination of individual oligomers and molecular-mass distributions (MMD) in low-molecular mass polyethylene having an iodine terminus. Direct GC/MS analysis has shown that the samples under investigation composed of polyethyelene-iodides (major components) and n-alkanes. Exchange reaction with methanol in the presence of NaOH gave rise to methoxy-derivatives and n-alkenes. Electron ionization mass spectra have shown that the former contained terminal methoxy groups indicating the terminal position of the iodine atom in the initial oligomers. MMD parameters have been determined with the aid of MALDI mass spectrometry followed by preliminary derivatization-formation of covalently bonded charge through the reaction of iodides with triphenylphosphine, trialkylamines, pyridine or quinoline. The mass spectra revealed well-resolved peaks for cationic parts of derivatized oligomers allowing the determination of MMD. The latter values have been compared with those calculated from GC/MS data.

Tris(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)methyl carbenium ion for charge derivatization of amines and amino acids

Primary and secondary alkyl amines substitute readily one of the para-methoxy substituents of tris(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)methyl carbenium ion. With this rapid process, the preparation of permanently charged positive derivatives of amines, amino acids and small C-protected peptides is achieved. This is utilized here to facilitate the matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) analysis of these compounds.

On-line derivatization gas chromatography with furan chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry for screening of amphetamines in urine

A simple alternative method with minimal sample pretreatment is investigated for screening of amphetamines in small volume (using only 20 microL) of urine sample. The method is sensitive and selective. The method uses gas chromatography (GC) direct sample introduction (DSI) for on-line derivatization (acylation) of amphetamines to improve sensitivity. Furan as chemical ionization (CI) reagent in conjunction with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) is used to improve selectivity. Low background with sharp protonated molecular ion peaks of analytes is the evidence of improvement in sensitivity and selectivity. Blank urine samples spiked with known amounts of amphetamine, methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine and 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine is analyzed. Selected ion monitoring of the characteristic product ions (m/z 119+136+150+163) using furan CI-MS/MS in positive ion mode is used for quantification. Limits of detection (LOD) between 0.4 and 1.0 ng mL(-1) and limits of quantitation (LOQ) between 1.0 and 2.0 ng mL(-1) are established. Linear response over the range of 1-1000 ng mL(-1) (r(2)>0.997) is observed for all analytes, except for methamphetamine (2.0-1000 ng mL(-1)). Good accuracy between 86 and 113% and precision ranging from 4 to 18% is obtained. The method is also tested on real samples of urine from suspected drug abusers. This method could be used for screening and determination of amphetamines in urine samples, however needs additional work for full validation.

Derivatization in mass spectrometry--8. Soft ionization mass spectrometry of small molecules

This is the first of two reviews devoted to derivatization approaches for "soft" ionization mass spectrometry (FAB, MALDI, ESI, APCI) and deals, in particular, with small molecules. The principles of the main "soft" ionization mass spectrometric methods as well as the reasons for derivatizing small molecules are briefly described. Derivatization methods for modification of amines, carboxylic acids, amino acids, alcohols, carbonyl compounds, monosaccharides, thiols, unsaturated and aromatic compounds etc. to improve their ionizability and to enhance structure information content are discussed. The use of "fixed"-charge bearing derivatization reagents is especially emphasized. Chemical aspects of derivatization and "soft" ionization mass spectrometric properties of derivatives are considered.

Derivatization by 6-aminoquinolyl-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl carbamate for enhancing the ionization yield of small peptides and glycopeptides in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

The characterization of glycosylation in proteins by mass spectrometry (MS) is often impeded by strong suppression of ionization of glycopeptides in the presence of non-glycosylated peptides. Glycopeptides with a large carbohydrate part and a short peptide backbone are particularly affected by this problem. To meet the goal of generating mass spectra exhibiting glycopeptide coverages as complete as possible, derivatization of glycopeptides offers a practical way to increase their ionization yield. This paper investigated derivatization with 6-aminoquinolyl-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl carbamate (AQC) which is a rapid labeling technique commonly used for fluorescence detection in high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and capillary electrophoresis (CE). As test samples we used peptides and glycopeptides obtained by enzymatic digestion of three different glycoproteins, i.e., human antithrombin, chicken ovalbumin, and bovine alpha1-acid-glycoprotein. It was found that AQC derivatization resulted in strongly increased signal intensities when analyzing small peptides and glycopeptides by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI)-MS. For these compounds the limit of detection could be reduced to low fmol amounts. Without derivatization only glycopeptides containing large peptide backbones were detected by MALDI-MS. This effect was even significant when glycopeptides were pre-separated and enriched by means of lectin affinity chromatography before MALDI-MS analysis and when using electrospray ionization (ESI). This labeling method, applied in combination with MS detection for the first time, was found to be well suited for the enhancement of detection sensitivity for small glycopeptides in MALDI-MS analysis and thus for reducing the need for pre-separation steps.

Derivatization in mass spectrometry --7. On-line derivatisation/degradation

The review describes on-line derivatization/degradation methods employed in mass spectrometry to solve some structural and analytical problems. Advantages and applications of various positions of reaction systems connected mainly to a mass spectrometer or a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer are considered. Among these are reaction systems connected directly to the mass spectrometer (reaction mass spectrometry, pyrolysis-mass spectrometry or direct pyrolysis-mass spectrometry); flash-heaters as reactors in gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS); in-line chemical reactors located before the chromatographic column [pre-column derivatization/degradation with the use of catalytic reactions, pyrolysis (pyrolysis-GC/MS), degradation in elemental analyzers-isotope ratio mass pectrometry (EA-IRMS)]; on-column derivatization and deuteration; reactor located between the chromatographic column and a mass spectrometer [post-column catalytic derivatization, gas chromatograph-combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometer (GC-c-IRMS)]. Post-column derivatization in high performance liquid chromatography/mass spectro-metry is briefly mentioned. Application of such on-line methodology to structure elucidation of low molecular mass compounds and polymers, to the determination of isotope ratios of the most common elements, to the investigation of catalytic reactions is discussed..

Review: derivatization in mass spectrometry-6. Formation of mixed derivatives of polyfunctional compounds

The review describes chemical transformations of multifunctional compounds (amino acids and peptides, amino alcohols, amino thiols, hydroxy acids, oxo acids, oxo alcohols, compounds containing simultaneously three or more different groups etc.) by using step-wise or one-step modification or protection of functional groups. Some chemical aspects of mixed derivatization performed for improving the physical-chemical properties and mass spectral characteristics are discussed. Application of mixed derivatization to qualitative and quantitative analysis of various multifunctional compounds mainly in biological fluids and other matrices by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry in electron ionization, chemical ionization, negative-ion chemical ionization and selected ion monitoring modes is considered.

Review: derivatization in mass spectrometry--5. Specific derivatization of monofunctional compounds

The present paper is complementary to the foregoing reviews and describes some additional methods of the derivatization of particular functional groups mainly to enhance the structural information content of electron ionization and chemical ionization mass spectra. Derivatization approaches for the modification of unsaturated compounds, alcoholic, carboxylic, carbonyl, amine and other functional groups, are discussed. Derivatization for separation and quantitative determination of chiral enantiomeric compounds is also considered. Preliminary chemical and physicalchemical degradation for structure elucidation of high molecular weight compounds (biopolymers, synthetic polymers) is mentioned. Chemical aspects of derivatizations and characteristic mass spectral features of derivatives are described briefly. Some particular applications of chemical modification, in conjunction with mass spectral measurements for the analysis of various important bioorganic compounds and compounds in biological fluids, air, environmental etc., are considered.

Derivatization in mass spectrometry-3. Alkylation (arylation)

The review is devoted to alkylation (arylation) as a widely employed derivatization procedure for the protection of OH (carboxylic acids, phosphoric acids, sulfonic acids, alcohols, polyols, phenols, enols), SH (thiols) and NH (amines, amides) groups in order to increase volatility, to improve the chromatographic properties and, if possible, mass spectral properties of derivatives. Chemical aspects of derivatization and various alkylation (arylation) reagents and reaction procedures are described. Specific mass spectral (electron ionization, chemical ionization) features of derivatives helpful in identification, structure elucidation, profiling and quantitative determination of the above-mentioned polar compounds by coupled gas chromatography or high-performance liquid chromatography are discussed. Some common analytical applications of the procedures in organic chemistry, clinical chemistry, environmental chemistry etc. are briefly summarized.

Review: Derivatization in mass spectrometry--4. Formation of cyclic derivatives

This fourth in a series of reviews describes a further common derivatization approach, namely, the formation of cyclic derivatives (cyclic acetals and ketals, boronates, siliconides, carbonates and other miscellaneous derivatives) that can be used to increase volatility and to improve chromatographic and, if possible, the mass spectral properties of various di- and polyfunctional compounds. Some chemical aspects of this type of derivatization are briefly discussed. Characteristic mass spectral features of various cyclic derivatives that are helpful in the structure determination, profiling and quantitation of multifunctional organic compounds are presented. Some recent analytical applications of mass spectrometry in conjunction with preliminary cyclic derivative formation are given.