EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 26 2008
H. Saal
Abstract The formation of the gaseous species LiCl, Li2Cl2, AlCl3 and LiAlCl4 was shown by mass spectrometric studies of the reaction of solid LiCl with gaseous AlCl3 at 575 °C. Besides AlCl3 and Al2Cl6, the gas complexes LiAlCl4, Li2AlCl5 and LiAl2Cl7 were formed during the evaporation of liquefied LiAlCl4. The structures of the molecules under discussion were computed by quantum chemical DFT studies. Thermodynamic data of these molecules were determined by experimental methods (mass spectrometry), and the results were confirmed by theoretical calculations. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008) [source]

Evaluation of the Photodegradation of Crystal Violet upon Light Exposure by Mass Spectrometric and Spectroscopic Methods

JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES, Issue 2 2009
Céline Weyermann Dr. rer. nat.
Abstract:, Crystal violet is a very common dye in ballpoint ink. Recent research suggests that the degradation of triarylmethane dyes gives an indication of the age of a ballpoint pen entry on a document. The main problem for the quantitative evaluation of the degradation is that it is highly dependent on the exposure to light. Moreover additional factors, such as additives and substrate play an important role in this process. The aim of this work is to compare the degradation pathways of the pure dye in water and ethanol upon exposure to xenon light by UV/VIS spectrophotometry and laser desorption ionization. Significant differences have been observed in the products and the kinetics of the degradation. N-demethylation, an expected decomposition process, was found to take place only in aqueous solution and kinetics calculations showed that the degradation occurred 2.5 times faster in ethanol compared to water. The degradation of crystal violet in inks from four ballpoint pens on paper was also studied for entries made over 2,3 years. It was observed that degradation reactions were quenched by the presence of another dye due to competitive absorption. It was also observed that the thickness of a stroke (concentration of ink) influenced the degradation process. In the absence of light only one ballpoint pen showed slight degradation. A better understanding of the influence of the paper, ink composition, and storage conditions is necessary to interpret correctly the age of an ink based on the degradation of dyes. [source]

ChemInform Abstract: Formation and Stability of the Gaseous Species LiAlCl4, Li2AlCl5 and LiAl2Cl7 , Mass Spectrometric and Quantum Chemical Studies.

CHEMINFORM, Issue 50 2008
H. Saal
Abstract ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a "Full Text" option. The original article is trackable via the "References" option. [source]

Direct injection horse-urine analysis for the quantification and confirmation of threshold substances for doping control.

DRUG TESTING AND ANALYSIS, Issue 8 2009

Abstract Levodopa and dopamine have been abused as performance-altering substances in horse racing. Urinary 3-methoxytyramine is used as an indicator of dopaminergic manipulation resulting from dopamine or levodopa administration and is prohibited with a urinary threshold of 4 µg mL,1 (free and conjugated). A simple liquid chromatographic (LC)/mass spectrometric (MS) (LCMS) method was developed and validated for the quantification and identification of 3-methoxytyramine in equine urine. Sample preparation involved enzymatic hydrolysis and protein precipitation. Hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) was selected as a separation technique that allows effective retention of polar substances like 3-methoxytyramine and efficient separation from matrix compounds. Electrospray ionization (ESI) in positive mode with product ion scan mode was chosen for the detection of the analytes. Quantification of 3-methoxytyramine was performed with fragmentation at low collision energy, resulting in one product ion, while a second run at high collision energy was performed for confirmation (at least three abundant ions). Studies on matrix effects showed ion suppression depending on the horse urine used. To overcome the variability of the results originating from the matrix effects, isotopic labelled internal standard was used and linear regression calibration methodology was applied for the quantitative determination of the analyte. The tested linear range was 1,20 µg mL,1. The relative standard deviations of intra- and inter- assay analysis of 3-methoxytyramine in horse urine were lower than 4.2% and 3.2%, respectively. Overall accuracy (relative percentage error) was less than 6.2%. The method was applied to case samples, demonstrating simplicity, accuracy and selectivity. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

In-situ gamma-ray spectrometric study of weathered volcanic rocks in Hong Kong

EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS, Issue 6 2002
Margie Q. F. Chen
Abstract In-situ gamma-ray spectrometry (GRS) measurements were conducted at 35 sites in Hong Kong where volcanic rocks with varying extent of weathering were exposed. Elemental analyses using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma,mass spectrometry were carried out on samples collected from these 35 plus 22 other locations to assess the feasibility of using the GRS method to quantify the extent of weathering. The Parker weathering index, varying within a range of 0·0,0·8 for the samples studied, was used as a geochemically based reference scheme for correlating the gamma-ray spectrometric results with the extent of weathering. For the former 35 sites, the concentrations of the three major radioelements, K, U and Th, determined by in-situ GRS were compared to laboratory-determined values from the samples. The study reveals that no significant change occurs to the contents of the three radioelements during the initial state of weathering. But once the rocks become highly weathered, further progression of weathering is accompanied by a systematic removal of K and an increased dispersion of U and Th. The results show that K content, which is indicative of the extent of weathering, can be retrieved reliably with the gamma-ray spectrometry technique. The study has given support to the potential use of the downhole spectral gamma method for evaluation of weathering grade and the detection of subsurface clay-rich levels. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Cyclodextrin-based nonaqueous electrokinetic chromatography with UV and mass spectrometric detection: Application to the impurity profiling of amiodarone,

ELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 17 2008
Roelof Mol
Abstract The potential of nonaqueous electrokinetic chromatography (NAEKC) using cyclodextrins (CD) for the analysis of basic drugs and related compounds was evaluated. Both UV absorbance and mass spectrometric (MS) detection were employed. Addition of neutral CD to the NA background electrolyte did not significantly enhance the separation of a test mixture of basic drugs, and no change in selectivity was observed. In contrast, anionic single-isomer-sulfated CD strongly added to the selectivity of the NAEKC system inducing an improved resolution among the test compounds and increasing the migration time window. The applicability of the NAEKC system using anionic CD is demonstrated by the profiling of a sample of the drug amiodarone that had been stored for 1,year at room temperature. Amiodarone is poorly soluble in water. NAEKC-UV analysis indicated the presence of at least seven impurities in the amiodarone sample. In order to identify these compounds, the NAEKC system was coupled directly to electrospray ionization (ESI) ion-trap MS. The total of detected impurities increased to 12 due to the added sensitivity and selectivity of MS detection. Based on the acquired MS/MS data, three sample constituents could be identified as ,known' impurities (British Pharmacopoeia), whereas for three unknown impurities molecular structures could be proposed. Estimated limits of detection for amiodarone using the NAEKC method were 1,,g/mL with UV detection and 15,ng/mL with ESI-MS detection (full-scan). Based on relative responses, the impurity content of the stored drug substance was estimated to be 0.33 and 0.47% using NAEKC-UV and NAEKC-ESI-MS, respectively. [source]

Determination of iodine and bromine compounds in foodstuffs by CE-inductively coupled plasma MS

ELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 22 2007
Jing-Huan Chen
Abstract A CE-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric (CE-ICP-MS) method for iodine and bromine speciation analysis is described. Samples containing ionic iodine (I, and IO3,) and bromine (Br, and BrO3,) species are subjected to electrophoretic separation before injection into the microconcentric nebulizer (CEI-100). The separation has been achieved in a 50,cm length×75,,m id fused-silica capillary. The electrophoretic buffer used is 10,mmol/L Tris (pH,8.0), while the applied voltage is set at ,8,kV. Detection limits are 1 and 20,50,ng/mL for various I and Br compounds, respectively, based on peak height. The RSD of the peak areas for seven injections of 0.1,,g/mL I,, IO3, and 1,,g/mL Br,, BrO3, mixture is in the range of 3,5%. This method has been applied to determine various iodine and bromine species in NIST SRM 1573a Tomato Leaves reference material and a salt and seaweed samples obtained locally. A microwave-assisted extraction method is used for the extraction of these compounds. Over 87% of the total iodine and 83% of the total bromine are extracted using a 10% m/v tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) solution in a focused microwave field within a period of 10,min. The spike recoveries are in the range of 94,105% for all the determinations. The major species of iodine and bromine in tomato leaves, salt, and seaweed are Br,, IO3,, I,, and Br,, respectively. [source]

Sensitive chiral analysis by capillary electrophoresis

ELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 1 2006
Carmen García-Ruiz
Abstract In this review, an updated view of the different strategies used up to now to enhance the sensitivity of detection in chiral analysis by CE will be provided to the readers. With this aim, it will include a brief description of the fundamentals and most of the recent applications performed in sensitive chiral analysis by CE using offline and online sample treatment techniques (SPE, liquid,liquid extraction, microdialysis, etc.), on-column preconcentration techniques based on electrophoretic principles (ITP, stacking, and sweeping), and alternative detection systems (spectroscopic, spectrometric, and electrochemical) to the widely used UV-Vis absorption detection. [source]

Speciation of arsenic compounds in fish and oyster tissues by capillary electrophoresis-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry

ELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 7-8 2005
Ching-Fen Yeh
Abstract A capillary electrophoresis-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometric (CE-ICP-MS) method for the speciation of six arsenic compounds, namely arsenite [As(III)], arsenate [As(V)], monomethylarsonic acid, dimethylarsinic acid, arsenobetaine and arsenocholine is described. The separation has been achieved on a 70,cm length×75,µm,ID fused-silica capillary. The electrophoretic buffer used was 15,mM Tris (pH,9.0) containing 15,mM sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), while the applied voltage was set at +22,kV. The arsenic species in biological tissues were extracted into 80%,v/v methanol-water mixture, put in a closed centrifuge tube and kept in a water bath, using microwaves at 80°C for 3,min. The extraction efficiencies of individual arsenic species added to the sample at 0.5,µg As/g level were between 96% and 107%, except for As(III), for which it was 89% and 77% for oyster and fish samples, respectively. The detection limits of the species studied were in the range 0.3,0.5,ng As/mL. The procedure has been applied for the speciation analysis of two reference materials, namely dogfish muscle tissue (NRCC DORM-2) and oyster tissue (NIST SRM 1566a), and two real-world samples. [source]

On-line preconcentration for capillary electrophoresis-atomic fluorescence spectrometric determination of arsenic compounds

ELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 12 2004
Xue-Bo Yin
Abstract An on-line preconcentration method was developed for capillary electrophoresis (CE) with hydride generation-atomic fluorescence spectrometric (HG-AFS) detection of arsenite, arsenate, dimethylarsenic acid, and monomethylarsenic acid. These arsenic species were negatively charged in the sample solution with high pH. When the potential was applied to the electrophoretic capillary, the negatively charged analyte ions moved faster and stacked at the boundary of sample and CE buffer with low pH. So, high sample pH in combination with low buffer pH allowed the injection of large sample volumes (, 1100 nL). Comparison of the preconcentration of analyte solution, prepared with doubly deionized water and that prepared with lake or river water, indicated that preconcentration was independent on the original matrix. With injection of ,1100 nL sample, an enrichment factor of 37,50-fold was achieved for the four species. Detection limits for the four arsenic species ranged from 5.0 to 9.3 ,g·L,1. Precisions (RSDs, n = 5) were in the range of 4.9,6.7% for migration time, 4.7,11% for peak area, and 4.3,7.1% for peak height, respectively. The recoveries of the four species in locally collected water solution spiked with 0.1 ,g·mL,1 (as As) ranged from 83 to 109%. [source]

Determination of bupivacaine and metabolites in rat urine using capillary electrophoresis with mass spectrometric detection

ELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 14 2003
Ryan M. Krisko
Abstract A method using capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry (CE-MS) was developed for the structural elucidation of bupivacaine and metabolites in rat urine. Prior to CE-MS analysis, solid-phase extraction (SPE) was used for sample cleanup and preconcentration purposes. Exact mass and tandem mass spectrometric (MS/MS) experiments were performed to obtain structural information about the unknown metabolites. Two instruments with different mass analyzers were used for mass spectrometric detection. A quadrupole time-of-flight (Q-TOF) and a magnetic sector hybrid instrument were coupled to CE and used for the analysis of urine extracts. Hydroxybupivacaine as well as five other isomerically different metabolites were detected including methoxylated bupivacaine. [source]

Ultra-trace analysis of multiple endocrine-disrupting chemicals in municipal and bleached kraft mill effluents using gas chromatography,high-resolution mass spectrometry

ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 2 2008
Michael G. Ikonomou
Abstract A comprehensive gas chromatographic,high-resolution mass spectrometric (GC-HRMS),based method was developed that permitted the simultaneous determination of 30 estrogenic endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and related compounds, including surfactants, biogenic and synthetic steroids, fecal sterols, phytoestrogens, and plasticizers, in wastewater. Features of the method include low sample volume (,40 ml), optimized Florisil® cleanup to minimize matrix interferences and optimized analyte derivatization to improve sensitivity via GC-HRMS. Detection limits were in the low- to mid-ng/L range, and recoveries were greater than 60% for most target analytes. This new method allows for high throughput analysis of many organic wastewater contaminants in a complex matrix with relative standard deviation of less than 15% for most measurable compounds. The applicability of the method was demonstrated by examining wastewater samples from different origins. Compounds such as di(2-ethylhex-yl)phthalate, cholesterol, cholestanol, and other cholesterol derivatives were measured in much higher concentrations in untreated sewage and were reduced substantially in concentration by the treatment process. However, steroidal compounds, particularly estrone (E1), 17,-estradiol (E2), and estriol (E3), as well as plant sterols (except stigmastanol), were greater in the treated municipal wastewater versus the untreated effluent. Plant and fungi sterols, stigmastanol and ergosterol, were found largely associated with bleached kraft mill effluent (BKME) as compared to the municipal effluents. [source]

Bulky Pyrazolate-Based Compartmental Ligand Scaffolds: Encapsulation of an Edge-Sharing Cu6O2 Bitetrahedral Core,

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 34 2008
Anna Sachse
Abstract Upon reaction with Cu(OAc)2·H2O, pyrazole-based ligands with two appended imine chelate arms in the 3- and 5-positions of the pyrazole and bulky substituents at the imine-N yield Cu6 complexes [L2Cu6(,-OAc)6(,4 -O)2] (1a,b). They feature an unusual {Cu6(,4 -O)2}-bitetrahedral core, only the second example of this structural motif. ESI mass spectrometric and UV/Vis data confirm that the Cu6 complexes stay intact in solution, and magnetic and high-field EPR measurements reveal an S = 0 ground state with the first excited triplet at ,E , 95 cm,1. Although the new hexanuclear systems are too complex for deriving all individual exchange constants from powder susceptibility data, a rough idea of the complete energy level spectrum could be obtained.(© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008) [source]

Reactions of the Aluminum(I) Monomer LAl [L = HC{(CMe)(NAr)}2; Ar = 2,6- iPr2C6H3] with Imidazol-2-ylidene and Diphenyldiazomethane.

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 20 2004
A Hydrogen Transfer from the L Ligand to the Central Aluminum Atom, Formation of the Diiminylaluminum Compound LAl(N=CPh2)
Abstract The solid-state reaction of LAl and imidazol-2-ylidene at elevated temperature (120 °C) yielded the aluminum monohydride N -heterocyclic carbene adduct [{HC[C(CH2)NAr] (CMeNAr)}AlH-{CN(R)C2Me2N(R)}] [R = iPr (1), Me (2)]. Compounds 1 and 2 have been characterized by spectroscopic (IR, and 1H and 13C NMR), mass spectrometric, and elemental analyses, and 1 was further characterized by X-ray structural analysis. These experimental data indicate that the Al,H bond is formed by hydrogen migration from one of the methyl groups of the ,-diketiminato ligand backbone. The reaction of LAl with two equivalents of diphenyldiazomethane afforded the diiminylaluminum compound LAl(N=CPh2)2 (3), while an excess of diphenyldiazomethane resulted in the formation of Ph2C=N,N=CPh2. This suggests that Ph2C=N,N=CPh2 is initially generated and then reacts further by oxidative addition to yield 3. The X-ray structural analysis reveals that compound 3 contains the shortest Al,Niminyl bond among those with a four-coordinate aluminum center. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2004) [source]

The Synthesis and Reactivity of Group 4 Zwitterionic Complexes of the Type Mt+CH2AlCl3,: One-Component Stereoselective Polymerization and Oligomerization Catalysts for Olefins and Acetylenes

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 15 2004
John J. Eisch
Abstract A reinvestigation of the interaction of TiCl4 with 2 equiv. of Me3Al in toluene between ,78 °C and 25 °C over 24 h has now established that the ultimate black product obtained is an associated zwitterion of the type [Ti+,CH2,AlCl3,]n, supported by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometric and gasometric analyses of the gases evolved (CH4, H2) upon its protolysis. Chemical reactions of the zwitterion have corroborated specific aspects of its proposed structure: 1) its methylene character, by its transformation of benzophenone into 1,1-diphenylethylene; 2) its divalent titanium content, by the substantial reductive dimerization of benzophenone to tetraphenylethylene, and 3) its Lewis acidic Ti center, by its catalytic isomerization of trans -stilbene oxide to 1,1-diphenylacetaldehyde. Similar individual reactions of ZrCl4 or HfCl4 with Me3Al have led to the analogous zwitterions [Zr+,CH2,AlCl3,]n and [Hf+,CH2,AlCl3,]n, respectively. These zwitterions of Ti, Zr and Hf have been proven to be capable of the cyclotrimerization and/or polymerization of acetylenes with varying facility, as evidenced by their catalytic action on 1-hexyne, phenylacetylene, di- n -butylacetylene, and diphenylacetylene. Furthermore, all three zwitterions were able to polymerize ethylene, without any added cocatalyst, with an activity following the order Zr > Ti > Hf. The Ti and Zr zwitterions effected the stereoselective polymerization of propylene to yield 50% of isotactic polymer, and all three catalysts induced the polymerization of 1-hexene to yield 85% (Zr, Hf) or 100% (Ti) of isotactic polymer. These oligomerizations and stereoselective polymerizations of acetylenes and olefins can be rationalized through a model for the active site resembling a three-membered metallacyclopropa(e)nium ion intermediate formed from the attack of the Group 4 metal zwitterion on the unsaturated hydrocarbon. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2004) [source]

A selective and sensitive approach to characterize odour-active and volatile constituents in small-scale human milk samples

FLAVOUR AND FRAGRANCE JOURNAL, Issue 6 2007
Andrea Buettner
Abstract A sensitive and selective analytical approach was developed for the characterization of trace volatile and odorous substances in body fluids. The methodology was successfully applied for identification of more than 40 characteristic odorants in human milk. The technique comprises a modified stir bar sorptive extraction system in combination with two-dimensional gas chromatographic separation and parallel mass spectrometric and olfactometric characterization of the analytes. The present study shows that the technique can be used for both direct extractive sampling and headspace analysis, and that it is applicable for small sample volumes. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

The study of the aroma profile characteristics of durian pulp during storage by the combination sampling method coupled with GC,MS

FLAVOUR AND FRAGRANCE JOURNAL, Issue 1 2007
Zhuo-Min Zhang
Abstract In this study, a combination sampling method, including headspace solid-phase micro-extraction (HSSPME), simultaneous distillation extraction (SDE) and steam distillation (SD), were used to study the aroma profile characteristics of durian (Durio zibethinus Murr.) pulp during storage, followed by gas chromatography,mass spectrometric (GC,MS) detection; 26 and 22 aroma volatiles of fresh and deteriorated durian pulps were identified according to different degrees of certainty. Volatile esters were identified as the main aromatic components of durian pulp. Most ethyl esters reduced in concentration during storage, whereas the methyl, propyl and butyl esters increased. Different aroma profile characteristics at the fresh and deteriorated storage phases obtained by HSSPME were specified by principal component analysis (PCA). Five typical aroma volatiles contributing greatly to the difference of aroma profile characteristics of durian pulp at the fresh and deteriorated storage phases were distilled by common model strategy. These compounds are potential bio-markers for durian degradation, but further study is needed. Tentative results suggest that combining HSSPME with conventional volatile isolation methods would yield more representative data on changes in the aroma of durian pulp during storage. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry for the determination of flocoumafen and brodifacoum in whole blood

JOURNAL OF APPLIED TOXICOLOGY, Issue 1 2007
Mi-cong Jin
Abstract A high-performance liquid chromatographic,tandem mass spectrometric (HPLC,MS,MS) assay was developed and validated to determine quantitatively flocoumafen and brodifacoum in whole blood using warfarin as an internal standard (IS). Liquid,liquid extraction, using ethyl acetate, was used to isolate flocoumafen, brodifacoum and the IS from the biological matrix. Detection was performed on a mass spectrometer by negative electrospray ionization (ESI) in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The calibration curves were linear (r2 > 0.998) in the concentration range of 0.1,100.0 ng ml,1 with a lower limit of quantification of 0.05 ng ml,1 for flocoumafen, and 0.1 ng ml,1 for brodifacoum in whole blood. Intra-day and inter-day relative standard deviations (RSDs) were less than 8.0% and 10.8%, respectively. Recoveries of flocoumafen and brodifacoum ranged from 78.0% to 83.7%. This assay can be used to determine trace flocoumafen and brodifacoum in whole blood to investigate suspected poisoning of human and animals. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Gas phase isomeric differentiation of oleanolic and ursolic acids associated with heptakis-(2,6-di- O -methyl)-,-cyclodextrin by electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry

JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY (INCORP BIOLOGICAL MASS SPECTROMETRY), Issue 4 2010
Zhan Yu
Abstract Oleanolic acid (OA) and ursolic acid (UA) are isomeric triterpenoid compounds with similar pharmaceutical properties. Usually, modern chromatographic and electrophoretic methods are widely utilized to differentiate these two compounds. Compared with mass spectrometric (MS) methods, these modern separation methods are both time- and sample-consuming. Herein, we present a new method for structural differentiation of OA and UA by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) with the association of heptakis-(2,6-di- O -methyl)-,-cyclodextrin (DM-,-CD). Exact MS and tandem MS (MS/MS) data showed that there is no perceptible difference between OA and UA, as well as their ,-cyclodextrin and ,-cyclodextrin complexes. However, there is a remarkable difference in MS/MS spectra of DM-,-CD complexes of OA and UA. The peak corresponding to the neutral loss of a formic acid and a water molecule could only be observed in the MS/MS spectrum of the complex of DM-,-CD : OA. Molecular modeling calculations were also employed to further investigate the structural differences of DM-,-CD : OA and DM-,-CD : UA complexes. Therefore, by employing DM-,-CD as a reference reagent, OA and UA could be differentiated with purely MS method. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Ion chemistry in germane/fluorocompounds gaseous mixtures: a mass spectrometric and theoretical study

JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY (INCORP BIOLOGICAL MASS SPECTROMETRY), Issue 10 2008
Paola Antoniotti
Abstract The ion,molecule reactions occurring in GeH4/NF3, GeH4/SF6, and GeH4/SiF4 gaseous mixtures have been investigated by ion trap mass spectrometry and ab initio calculations. While the NFx+ (x = 1,3) react with GeH4 mainly by the exothermic charge transfer, the open-shell Ge+ and GeH2+ undergo the efficient F-atom abstraction from NF3 and form GeF+ and FGeH2+ as the only ionic products. The mechanisms of these two processes are quite similar and involve the formation of the fluorine-coordinated complexes GeFNF2+ and H2GeFNF2+, their subsequent crossing to the significantly more stable isomers FGeNF2+ and FGeH2NF2+, and the eventual dissociation of these ions into GeF+ (or FGeH2+) and NF2. The closed-shell GeH+ and GeH3+ are instead much less reactive towards NF3, and the only observed process is the less efficient formation of GeF+ from GeH+. The theoretical investigation of this unusual H/F exchange reaction suggests the involvement of vibrationally-hot GeH+. Passing from NF3 to SF6 and SiF4, the average strength of the MF bond increases from 70 to 79 and 142 kcal mol,1, and in fact the only process observed by reacting GeHn+ (n = 0,3) with SF6 and SiF4 is the little efficient F-atom abstraction from SF6 by Ge+. Irrespective of the experimental conditions, we did not observe any ionic product of GeN, GeS, or GeSi connectivity. This is in line with the previously observed exclusive formation of GeF+ from the reaction between Ge+ and CF compounds such as CH3F. Additionally observed processes include in particular the conceivable formation of the elusive thiohypofluorous acid FSH from the reaction between SF+ and GeH4. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Discrimination and identification of the six aromatic positional isomers of trimethoxyamphetamine (TMA) by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)

JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY (INCORP BIOLOGICAL MASS SPECTROMETRY), Issue 4 2008
Kei Zaitsu
Abstract A reliable and accurate GC-MS method was developed that allows both mass spectrometric and chromatographic discrimination of the six aromatic positional isomers of trimethoxyamphetamine (TMA). Regardless of the trifluoroacetyl (TFA) derivatization, chromatographic separation of all the investigated isomers was achieved by using DB-5ms capillary columns (30 m × 0.32 mm i.d.), with run times less than 15 min. However, the mass spectra of the nonderivatized TMAs, except 2,4,6-trimethoxyamphetmine (TMA-6), showed insufficient difference for unambiguous discrimination. On the other hand, the mass spectra of the TFA derivatives of the six isomers exhibited fragments with significant intensity differences, which allowed the unequivocal identification of all the aromatic positional isomers investigated in the present study. This GC-MS technique in combination with TFA derivatization, therefore, is a powerful method to discriminate these isomers, especially useful to distinguish the currently controlled 3,4,5-trimethoxyamphetmine (TMA-1) and 2,4,5-trimethoxyamphetmine (TMA-2) from other uncontrolled TMAs. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Designer drug 2,4,5-trimethoxyamphetamine (TMA-2): Studies on its metabolism and toxicological detection in rat urine using gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric techniques

JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY (INCORP BIOLOGICAL MASS SPECTROMETRY), Issue 9 2006
Andreas H. Ewald
Abstract Studies are described on the metabolism and the toxicological detection of the amphetamine-derived designer drug 2,4,5-trimethoxyamphetamine (TMA-2) in rat urine using gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric (GC/MS) techniques. The identified metabolites indicated that TMA-2 was metabolized by oxidative deamination to the corresponding ketone followed by reduction to the corresponding alcohol, O -demethylation followed by oxidative deamination, and finally O,O -bis-demethylation. All metabolites carrying hydroxy groups were found to be partly excreted in urine as glucuronides and/or sulfates. The authors' systematic toxicological analysis (STA) procedure using full-scan GC/MS after acid hydrolysis, liquid-liquid extraction, and microwave-assisted acetylation allowed the detection, in rat urine, of an intake of TMA-2 that corresponds to a common drug users' dose. Assuming similar metabolism, the described STA procedure in human urine should be suitable as proof of an intake of TMA-2. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Combination of liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry for the detection of 21 anabolic steroid residues in bovine urine

JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY (INCORP BIOLOGICAL MASS SPECTROMETRY), Issue 6 2005
Christof Van Poucke
Abstract For the detection of anabolic steroid residues in bovine urine, a highly sensitive liquid chromatographic/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometric (LC/ESI-MS/MS) method was developed using both positive and negative ionization. For four compounds the ESI mode was not sensitive enough and gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric GC/MS detection was therefore still necessary as a complementary method. The sample clean-up consisted of solid-phase extraction (SPE) on a C18 column followed by enzymatic hydrolysis and a second solid-phase extraction on a combination of a C18 and a NH2 column. After this last SPE clean-up, the eluate was split into two equal aliquots. One aliquot was further purified and after derivatization used for GC/MS analysis. The other aliquot was analyzed with LC/MS/MS in both ESI+ and ESI, modes. The method was validated according to the European Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. Decision limits (CC,) were between 0.16 and 1 ng ml,1 for the compounds detected with the LC/MS/MS method. The developed method is used in routine analysis in our laboratory. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Development and validation of a liquid chromatographic/tandem mass spectrometric assay for the quantitation of nucleoside HIV reverse transcriptase inhibitors in biological matrices

JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY (INCORP BIOLOGICAL MASS SPECTROMETRY), Issue 1 2005
Séverine Compain
Abstract Besides liquid chromatographic (LC)/UV methods adapted to therapeutic drug monitoring, there is still a need for more powerful techniques that can be used for pharmacological research and clinical purposes. We developed an LC method coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) to separate, detect and quantify with high sensitivity the nucleoside analogues used in multitherapies (zidovudine, stavudine, zalcitabine, didanosine, lamivudine and abacavir) in plasma and in the intracellular medium. We worked on two essential issues: (i) the need to use two ionization modes in order to achieve the best sensitivity, which leads to the optimization of the chromatographic separation of drugs detected in the positive ionization mode and drugs detected in the negative ionization mode, and (ii) the need to optimize the extraction step in order to enhance sample recovery. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells were lysed in Tris buffer,MeOH. A clean-up procedure was performed by solid-phase extraction only for plasma samples. The LC separation was carried out on a Zorbax Stable Bond C18 column followed by MS/MS analysis after electrospray ionization in either the negative or positive mode. The positive ionization mode was applied at the beginning of the run to detect zalcitabine and lamivudine, then the ionization mode was changed to negative for the detection of didanosine, stavudine, internal standard and zidovudine. The calibration range for all the analytes was 0.5,200 ng ml,1. The recoveries were between 64 and 90%, with coefficients of variation (CVs) lower than 15%. The inaccuracy (bias) was ±15% with CVs always lower than 12%. The analytes were stable at room temperature and in the extraction solvent for at least 24 h, after storage at ,80 °C for 3 months, after three freeze,thaw cycles and in the injection solvent after 48 h at 4 °C. Together with the measurement of intracellular triphosphorylated metabolites thanks to the powerful plasma and intracellular assay method for intact drugs, it is possible to describe the behaviour of nucleoside analogues against HIV through plasma pharmacokinetics, cell membrane diffusion including drug transport involvement, and also the intracellular metabolism. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Quantitative analysis of the P-glycoprotein inhibitor Elacridar (GF120918) in human and dog plasma using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric detection

JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY (INCORP BIOLOGICAL MASS SPECTROMETRY), Issue 10 2004
Ellen Stokvis
Abstract A liquid chromatographic/tandem mass spectrometric (LC/MS/MS) method for the determination of the P-glycoprotein and breast cancer resistance protein inhibitor Elacridar in human and dog plasma is described. The internal standard was stable isotopically labelled Elacridar. Sample pretreatment involved liquid,liquid extraction with tert -butyl methyl ether. Analysis of Elacridar and internal standard was performed by reversed-phase LC on a basic stable minibore analytical column with an eluent consisting of acetonitrile and aqueous ammonia. An API-2000 triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer with an electrospray ion source was used in the positive-ion multiple reaction monitoring mode. The run time per sample was only 6 min. The method is sensitive and specific, with a dynamic range from 1 to 500 ng ml,1 from 100 µl of human or dog plasma. The accuracy of the method was within 15% bias and the precision was lower than 15% for all tested concentration levels and in both matrices. The method is simple and the liquid,liquid extraction produces clean samples. This method was successfully applied to support the pharmacokinetics of a clinical trial in which orally applied Elacridar was used as a bioavailability enhancer. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Screening, library-assisted identification and validated quantification of 23 benzodiazepines, flumazenil, zaleplone, zolpidem and zopiclone in plasma by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization

JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY (INCORP BIOLOGICAL MASS SPECTROMETRY), Issue 8 2004
Carsten Kratzsch
Abstract A liquid chromatographic/mass spectrometric assay with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (LC/APCI-MS) is presented for fast and reliable screening and identification and also for precise and sensitive quantification in plasma of the 23 benzodiazepines alprazolam, bromazepam, brotizolam, camazepam, chlordiazepoxide, clobazam, clonazepam, diazepam, flunitrazepam, flurazepam, desalkylflurazepam, lorazepam, lormetazepam, medazepam, metaclazepam, midazolam, nitrazepam, nordazepam, oxazepam, prazepam, temazepam and tetrazepam, triazolam, their antagonist flumazenil and the benzodiazepine BZ1 (omega 1) receptor agonists zaleplone, zolpidem and zopiclone. It allows confirmation of the diagnosis of an overdose situation and monitoring of psychiatric patients' compliance. The analytes were isolated from plasma using liquid,liquid extraction and were separated on a Merck LiChroCART column with Superspher 60 RP Select B as the stationary phase. Gradient elution was performed using aqueous ammonium formate and acetonitrile. After screening and identification in the scan mode using the authors' LC/MS library, the analytes were quantified in the selected-ion monitoring mode. The quantification assay was fully validated. It was found to be selective proved to be linear from sub-therapeutic to over therapeutic concentrations for all analytes, except bromazepam. The corresponding reference levels the assay's accuracy and precision data for all studied substances are listed. The accuracy and precision data were within the required limits with the exception of those for bromazepam. The analytes were stable in frozen plasma for at least 1 month. The validated assay was successfully applied to several authentic plasma samples from patients treated or intoxicated with various benzodiazepines or with zaleplone, zolpidem or zopiclone. It has proven to be appropriate for the isolation, separation, screening, identification and quantification of the drugs mentioned above in plasma for clinical toxicology, e.g. in cases of poisoning, and forensic toxicology, e.g. in cases of driving under the influence of drugs. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Isomer separation of hyperbranched polyesteramides with gas-phase H/D exchange and a novel MSn approach: DoDIP

JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY (INCORP BIOLOGICAL MASS SPECTROMETRY), Issue 8 2002
Sander Koster
Abstract Two approaches are introduced that provide information about the isomeric composition of hyperbranched polyesteramides. The first approach is based on a novel tandem mass spectrometric (MSn) approach that allows the study of different types of isomeric structures by a separation based on their difference in appearance energy. The method is called DoDIP: dissociation of depleted ion populations. A first MS/MS step is used to fragment isomers with relatively low appearance energy. The isomers with higher appearance energy are fragmented in a second MS/MS step of higher energy. The second approach is based on gas-phase H/D exchange experiments that result in a bimodal isotopic distribution for oligomers XnDn+1 of which one distribution corresponds to a type of isomeric structure that exhibits H/D exchange behaviour and the other to an isomeric structure that does not exhibit H/D exchange behaviour. X is a difunctional anhydride of phthalic acid (P), 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid (C), succinic acid (S) or glutaric acid (G). D in XnDn+1 is a trifunctional diisopropanolamine and n the degree of polymerization. The type of isomeric structure that does not exhibit H/D exchange behaviour has a non-alternating monomer sequence that contains an amine bond with a relatively high proton affinity. The other isomeric structure that does exhibit H/D exchange behaviour has an alternating monomer sequence containing only amide and ester bonds with relatively low proton affinity. Oligomer structures were confirmed with additional MS2 experiments after H/D exchange. H/D exchange experiments on the fragments obtained after MS2 of the parent ion show that next to previously postulated mechanisms for the cleavage of the ester and amide bond another reaction pathway must be operational. A new mechanism is introduced to explain the H/D exchange behaviour of the fragments that requires a cleavage of the amide bonds only. Two types of fragments are formed by this mechanism. One type is protonated due to the cleavage of the amide bond whereas the other type has an oxazolonium ion structure due to the loss of an additional H2O. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Validated assay for quantification of oxcarbazepine and its active dihydro metabolite 10-hydroxycarbazepine in plasma by atmospheric pressure chemical ionization liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry

JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY (INCORP BIOLOGICAL MASS SPECTROMETRY), Issue 7 2002
Hans H. Maurer
Abstract Oxcarbazepine (OX), a new antiepileptic, may lead to unwanted side-effects or even life-threatening intoxications after overdose. Therefore, a validated liquid chromatographic/mass spectrometric (LC/MS) assay was developed for the quantification of OX and its pharmacologically active dihydro metabolite (dihydrooxcarbazepine, DOX, often named 10-hydroxycarbazepine). OX and DOX were extracted from plasma by the authors' standard liquid/liquid extraction and were separated on a Merck LiChroCART column with Superspher 60 RP Select B as the stationary phase. Gradient elution was performed using aqueous ammonium formate and acetonitrile. The compounds were quantified in the selected-ion monitoring mode using atmospheric pressure chemical ionization electrospray LC/MS. The assay was fully validated. It was found to be selective. The calibration curves were linear from 0.1 to 50 mg l,1 for OX and DOX. Limits of quantification were 0.1 mg l,1 for OX and DOX. The absolute recoveries were between 60 and 86%. The accuracy and precision data were within the required limits. The analytes in frozen plasma samples were stable for at least 1 month. The method was successfully applied to several authentic plasma samples from patients treated or intoxicated with OX. The measured therapeutic plasma levels ranged from 1 to 2 mg l,1 for OX and from 10 to 40 mg l,1 for DOX. The validated LC/MS assay proved to be appropriate for quantification of OX and DOX in plasma for clinical toxicology and therapeutic drug monitoring purposes. The assay is part of a general analysis procedure for the isolation, separation and quantification of various drugs and for their full-scan screening and identification. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Heavy chain of cytoplasmic dynein is a major component of the postsynaptic density fraction

JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH, Issue 2 2006
Huei-Hsuan Cheng
Abstract A protein with an apparent molecular size of 490 kDa was found in the postsynaptic density (PSD) fraction isolated from porcine cerebral cortices and rat forebrains, and this 490 kDa protein accounted for ,3% of the total protein of these samples. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometric and Western blotting analyses consistently indicated that this 490 kDa protein consisted primarily of the heavy chain of cytoplasmic dynein (cDHC). Immunocytochemical analyses showed that cDHC was found in 92% and 89% of the phalloidin-positive protrusions that were themselves associated with discrete clusters of synaptophysin, a presynaptic terminal marker, and PSD-95, a postsynaptic marker, on neuronal processes, respectively. Quantitative Western blotting analyses of various subcellular fractions isolated from porcine cerebral cortices and rat forebrains further showed that not only the heavy but also the intermediate chains of dynein are enriched in the PSD fraction. Cytoplasmic dynein is a microtubule-associated motor protein complex that drives the movement of various cargos toward the minus ends of microtubules and plays many other diverse functions in the cell. Our results that cDHC is a major component of the PSD fraction, that both dynein heavy and intermediate chains are enriched in the PSD fraction and that cDHC is present in dendritic spines raise the possibilities that cytoplasmic dynein may play structural and functional roles in the postsynaptic terminal. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Mass spectrometric and chemical stability of the Asp-Pro bond in herpes simplex virus epitope peptides compared with X-Pro bonds of related sequences

JOURNAL OF PEPTIDE SCIENCE, Issue 8 2002
Zsolt Skribanek
Abstract The mass spectrometric analysis of the immunodominant epitope region (273,284) of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) glycoprotein D (gD) showed a favoured fission at the Asp-Pro peptide bond. The fast atom bombardment collision induced dissociation (FAB-CID) study of closely related X-Pro peptides documented that neither the length nor the amino acid composition of the peptide has a significant influence on this preferential cleavage. At the same time the DP bond proved to be sensitive to acidic conditions in the course of peptide synthesis. These observations prompted us to compare the chemical and mass spectrometric stability of a new set of nonapeptides related to the 273,284 epitope region of gD, i.e. SALLEDPVG and SALLEXPVG peptides, where X = A, K, I, S, F, E or D, respectively. The chemical stability of these peptides during acidic hydrolysis was investigated by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and the products were identified by ESI-MS and on-line high performance liquid chromatography,mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). The mass spectrometric fragmentation and bond stability of the untreated peptide samples were also studied using ESI-MS and liquid secondary ion mass spectrometry (LSIMS). Both the chemical hydrolysis and the mass spectrometric fragmentation showed that the Asp-Pro bond could easily be cleaved, while the KP bond proved to be stable under both circumstances. On the other hand, the XP bond (X = A, I, S, F or E) fragmented easily under the mass spectrometric conditions, but was not sensitive to the acidolysis. Copyright © 2002 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]