Mass spectrometric approaches for the investigation of dynamic processes in condensed phase

Development of setups for real-time analysis of the effluent of a microreactor by mass spectrometry

Monitoring a synthesis reaction in real time could allow not only the detection of the intermediates involved in the synthesis, to better understand its mechanisms, but also the impurities. Spectroscopic methods could be performed but are not so performant when analyzing complex mixtures and could require specific properties for the detection of the molecules of interest, the presence of a chromophore moiety for example. Mass spectrometry (MS) may overcome these limitations and is able to reach the accuracy and sensitivity required to efficiently detect, quantify, identify, and characterize the reagents and species produced during the synthesis. This is why the hyphenation of a microreactor with MS has already allowed synthesis processes to be monitored, but most of the time it targets a specific reaction or compounds and involves solvents compatible with MS. In this study, a universal setup for the hyphenation of a microreactor with MS and based on two valves has been developed. This two-valve setup has proven itself for the analysis of molecules of different nature and hydrophilicity, soluble in a large number of solvents even in non-MS-compatible ones. The developed setup evidenced a good repeatability and a linear response for the detection of the studied compounds. In addition, the dilution step included in the two-valve setup allows the MS monitoring of compounds initially synthesized at different concentrations. Finally, it was successfully used to study an amination reaction allowing the detection of the reaction products in 4 min with good repeatability as RSD values of MS signals were lower than 17%.

Review of quantitative and qualitative methods for monitoring photopolymerization reactions

Authomatic in-situ monitoring and characterization of photopolymerization.

Online monitoring of small volume reactions using compact liquid chromatography instrumentation

A wide variety of analytical techniques have been employed for monitoring chemical reactions, with online instrumentation providing additional benefits compared to offline analysis. A challenge in the past for online monitoring has been placement of the monitoring instrumentation as close as possible to the reaction vessel to maximize sampling temporal resolution and preserve sample composition integrity. Furthermore, the ability to sample very small volumes from bench-scale reactions allows the use of small reaction vessels and conservation of expensive reagents. In this study, a compact capillary LC instrument was used for online monitoring of as small as 1 mL total volume of a chemical reaction mixture, with automated sampling of nL-scale volumes directly from the reaction vessel used for analysis. Analyses to demonstrate short term (~2 h) and long term (~ 50 h) reactions were conducted using tandem on-capillary ultraviolet absorbance followed by in-line MS detection or ultraviolet absorbance detection alone, respectively. For both short term and long term reactions (10 and 250 injections, respectively), sampling approaches using syringe pumps minimized the overall sample loss to ~0.2% of the total reaction volume.

Intracluster Sulphur Dioxide Oxidation by Sodium Chlorite Anions: A Mass Spectrometric Study

The reactivity of [NaL·ClO₂]⁻ cluster anions (L = ClO_x⁻; x = 0–3) with sulphur dioxide has been investigated in the gas phase by ion–molecule reaction experiments (IMR) performed in an in-house modified Ion Trap mass spectrometer (IT-MS). The kinetic analysis revealed that SO₂ is efficiently oxidised by oxygen-atom (OAT), oxygen-ion (OIT) and double oxygen transfer (DOT) reactions. The main difference from the previously investigated free reactive ClO₂⁻ is the occurrence of intracluster OIT and DOT processes, which are mediated by the different ligands of the chlorite anion. This gas-phase study highlights the importance of studying the intrinsic properties of simple reacting species, with the aim of elucidating the elementary steps of complex processes occurring in solution, such as the oxidation of sulphur dioxide.

Gas-Phase UV Spectroscopy of Chemical Intermediates Produced in Solution: Oxidation Reactions of Phenylhydrazines by DDQ

In this study, we demonstrated cold gas-phase spectroscopy of chemical intermediates produced in solution. Herein, we combined an electrospray ion source with a T-shaped solution mixer for introducing chemical intermediates in solution into the gas phase. Specifically, the oxidation reaction of 2-(4-nitrophenyl)hydrazinecarboxaldehyde (NHCA) by 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-p-benzoquinone (DDQ) was initiated by mixing the methanol solutions of NHCA and DDQ in the T-shaped mixer, and the chemical species were injected into the vacuum apparatus for ultraviolet photodissociation (UVPD) spectroscopy. A cationic intermediate was strongly observed at m/z 150 in the mass spectrum, and the UVPD spectrum was observed under cold (∼10 K) gas-phase conditions. The UVPD spectrum showed a strong, broad absorption at ∼38,000 cm^-1, accompanied by a relatively weak component at ∼34,000 cm^-1. These spectral patterns can be ascribed to a diazonium cation intermediate, whose existence has been predicted in a previous study. This report indicates that cold gas-phase UV spectroscopy can be a useful method for identifying the structure of chemical intermediates produced in solution.

Structural Investigation of Photochemical Intermediates in Solution by Cold UV Spectroscopy in the Gas Phase: Photosubstitution of Dicyanobenzenes by Allylsilanes

Electrospray ion sources with an in-line quartz cell were constructed to produce photochemical intermediates in solution. These ion sources can detect photochemical intermediates having lifetimes longer than a few seconds. Intermediates formed by photosubstitution of 1,4-dicyanobenzene (DCB) by allyltrimethylsilane (AMS) in acetonitrile using a Xe lamp were injected into the mass spectrometer. The cationic intermediate (C₁₁H₁₀N₂·H⁺) was observed at m/z = 171, but no anionic intermediate was found, although C₁₁H₉N₂^- was expected based on prior studies. Theoretical studies suggested that C₁₁H₉N₂^- was simultaneously converted to neutral C₁₁H₁₀N₂ and cationic C₁₁H₁₀N₂·H⁺ species, which can be stable intermediates in the photosubstitution reaction. The UV photodissociation (UVPD) spectrum of C₁₁H₁₀N₂·H⁺ under cold (∼10 K) gas-phase conditions determined the conformation of the C₁₁H₁₀N₂ unit of the C₁₁H₁₀N₂·H⁺ cation. This report demonstrates that cold gas-phase UV spectroscopy is a prospectively powerful tool for investigation of the electronic and geometric structures of photochemical intermediates produced in solution.

Simultaneous self-optimisation of yield and purity through successive combination of inline FT-IR spectroscopy and online mass spectrometry in flow reactions

Self-optimisation constitutes a very helpful tool for chemical process development, both in lab and in industrial applications. However, research on the application of model-free autonomous optimisation strategies (based on experimental investigation) for complex reactions of high industrial significance, which involve considerable intermediate and by-product formation, is still in an early stage. This article describes the development of an enhanced autonomous microfluidic reactor platform for organolithium and epoxide reactions that incorporates a successive combination of inline FT-IR spectrometer and online mass spectrometer. Experimental data is collected in real-time and used as feedback for the optimisation algorithms (modified Simplex algorithm and Design of Experiments) without time delay. An efficient approach to handle intricate optimisation problems is presented, where the inline FT-IR measurements are used to monitor the reaction’s main components, whereas the mass spectrometer’s high sensitivity permits insights into the formation of by-products. To demonstrate the platform’s flexibility, optimal reaction conditions of two organic syntheses are identified. Both pose several challenges, as complex reaction mechanisms are involved, leading to a large number of variable parameters, and a considerable amount of by-products is generated under non-ideal process conditions. Through multidimensional real-time optimisation, the platform supersedes labor- and cost-intensive work-up procedures, while diminishing waste generation, too. Thus, it renders production processes more efficient and contributes to their overall sustainability.

Graphical abstract

Mechanism of the Oxidation of Heptafulvenes to Tropones Studied by Online Mass Spectrometry and Density Functional Theory Calculations

We have identified the most likely reaction mechanism for oxidizing heptafulvenes to the corresponding tropones by experimental and theoretical investigations. The experimental studies were done by coupling a three-dimensional printed miniaturized reactor with an integrated electrospray ionization needle to a mass spectrometer. Using the experimentally observed ions as a basis, nine alternative reaction pathways were investigated with density functional theory calculations. The lowest energy reaction pathway starts with the formation of an epoxide that is opened upon the addition of a second equivalent of the oxidizing species meta-chloroperoxybenzoic acid. The adduct formed then undergoes a Criegee-like rearrangement to yield a positively charged hemiketal, which on deprotonation dissociates into acetone and tropone. Overall, the reaction mechanism resembles a Hock-like rearrangement.

Automation of mass spectrometric detection of analytes and related workflows: A review

The developments in mass spectrometry (MS) in the past few decades reveal the power and versatility of this technology. MS methods are utilized in routine analyses as well as research activities involving a broad range of analytes (elements and molecules) and countless matrices. However, manual MS analysis is gradually becoming a thing of the past. In this article, the available MS automation strategies are critically evaluated. Automation of analytical workflows culminating with MS detection encompasses involvement of automated operations in any of the steps related to sample handling/treatment before MS detection, sample introduction, MS data acquisition, and MS data processing. Automated MS workflows help to overcome the intrinsic limitations of MS methodology regarding reproducibility, throughput, and the expertise required to operate MS instruments. Such workflows often comprise automated off-line and on-line steps such as sampling, extraction, derivatization, and separation. The most common instrumental tools include autosamplers, multi-axis robots, flow injection systems, and lab-on-a-chip. Prototyping customized automated MS systems is a way to introduce non-standard automated features to MS workflows. The review highlights the enabling role of automated MS procedures in various sectors of academic research and industry. Examples include applications of automated MS workflows in bioscience, environmental studies, and exploration of the outer space.

Coupling and optimisation of online nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectrometry for process monitoring to cover the broad range of process concentration

Real time online monitoring of chemical processes can be carried out by a number of analytical techniques, including optical and vibrational spectroscopies, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (MS). As each technique has unique advantages and challenges, combinations are an attractive option. The combination of a 500-MHz ¹ H NMR and a small footprint mass spectrometer to monitor a batch reaction at process concentration was investigated. The mass spectrometer was coupled into the flow path of an online reaction monitoring NMR. Reaction mixture was pumped from a 100-ml vessel to an NMR flow tube before returning to the vessel. Small aliquots were diverted into a sampling make-up flow using an active flow splitter and passed to the mass spectrometer. Advantages of the combination were observed. ¹ H NMR was ideal for quantitation of high level components, whereas MS showed a greater capability for detecting those at low level. In preliminary experiments MS produced a limited linear relationship with concentration (0.02% to 2% relative concentration, 0.01 mg/ml-1.25 mg/ml), because of signal saturation at the higher concentrations. NMR was unable to detect components below 0.1% relative to concentration maximum. Optimisation of sample transfer to the MS extended the linearity to 10% relative to the concentration maximum. Therefore, the combination of online NMR and MS allows both qualitative and quantitative analysis of reaction components over the full process range. The application of the combination was demonstrated by monitoring a batch chemical reaction and this is described. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Mechanistic and Kinetic Study of Singlet O2 Oxidation of Methionine by On-Line Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

We report a reaction apparatus developed to monitor singlet oxygen ((1)O2) reactions in solution using on-line ESI mass spectrometry and spectroscopy measurements. (1)O2 was generated in the gas phase by the reaction of H2O2 with Cl2, detected by its emission at 1270 nm, and bubbled into aqueous solution continuously. (1)O2 concentrations in solution were linearly related to the emission intensities of airborne (1)O2, and their absolute scales were established based on a calibration using 9,10-anthracene dipropionate dianion as an (1)O2 trapping agent. Products from (1)O2 oxidation were monitored by UV-Vis absorption and positive/negative ESI mass spectra, and product structures were elucidated using collision-induced dissociation-tandem mass spectrometry. To suppress electrical discharge in negative ESI of aqueous solution, methanol was added to electrospray via in-spray solution mixing using theta-glass ESI emitters. Capitalizing on this apparatus, the reaction of (1)O2 with methionine was investigated. We have identified methionine oxidation intermediates and products at different pH, and measured reaction rate constants. (1)O2 oxidation of methionine is mediated by persulfoxide in both acidic and basic solutions. Persulfoxide continues to react with another methionine, yielding methionine sulfoxide as end-product albeit with a much lower reaction rate in basic solution. Density functional theory was used to explore reaction potential energy surfaces and establish kinetic models, with solvation effects simulated using the polarized continuum model. Combined with our previous study of gas-phase methionine ions with (1)O2, evolution of methionine oxidation pathways at different ionization states and in different media is described.

Determining the suitability of mass spectrometry for understanding the dissolution processes involved with pharmaceutical tablets

RATIONALE

A current challenge for analytical chemists is the development of the measurement systems and approaches required to understand dynamic processes such as tablet dissolution. The design and development of oral tablets could be improved by the availability of detailed information about the rates of release of the individual tablet components. Small footprint mass spectrometry (MS) systems are gaining use for on-line reaction monitoring because of their ability to rapidly determine multiple reactant, intermediate, and product species. We have therefore assessed the utility of such MS systems to the study of dissolution processes.

METHODS

Aqueous dissolution media containing phosphate and other non-volatile buffer salts were pumped from a standard USPII dissolution vessel through an active splitter and back. The splitter sampled the dissolution stream and diluted it into a make-up flow which was pumped to a small single quadrupole mass spectrometer. Single ion monitoring was used to quantify the ions of interest. Three different bio-relevant dissolution media were studied to gauge the effect of the sample matrix.

RESULTS

Individual dissolution profiles were obtained from a tablet containing three drugs, and lactose as the soluble filler. This was successfully demonstrated with three different bio-relevant media designed to reflect the pH of the different sections of the human gastro-intestinal tract. Component concentrations as low as 0.06 µg/mL (representing 1% dissolution) were detected. The MS dissolution profiles correlated with the visual observation of tablet dissolution. MS gave linear responses with concentration for the individual components, although analysis of the tablet solution indicated that ion suppression is an area for further investigation.

CONCLUSIONS

An on-line MS system was used to determine the individual dissolution profiles of three drugs and lactose as they were released from the same tablet. The level of each of these components in solution was determined every 10 seconds, and each had a similar release profile. The dissolution profiles were determined using inorganic buffer solutions at three different bio-relevant pHs.

Gas-phase intramolecular cyclization of argentinated N-allylbenzamides

The fragmentations of argentinated N-allylbenzamides have been exhaustively studied through collision-induced dissociation and through deuterium labeling. The intriguing elimination of AgOH is certified as the consequence of intramolecular cyclization between terminal olefin and carbonyl carbon following proton transfer to carbonyl oxygen, rather than simple enolization of amide. Linear free energy correlations and density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to understand the competitive relationship between AgOH loss and AgH loss, which results from the 1,2-elimination of α-hydrogen (to the amido nitrogen) with the silver.

Gas-phase chemistry of molecular containers

The use of mass spectrometry for the investigation of supramolecular capsules and containers in solution and the gas-phase is reviewed.

Watching polymers grow: real time monitoring of polymerizations via an on-line ESI-MS/microreactor coupling

A microreactor/electrospray ionization MS coupling is introduced that allows us to observe and optimize polymerization reactions with respect to chain length and endgroup patterns in real time under synthesis conditions, which was not possible before.

Gas phase chemistry of N-benzylbenzamides with silver(i) cations: characterization of benzylsilver cation

Benzylsilver cations are synthesized in the gas phase from the collisional dissociation of argentinated N-benzylbenzamides, when the carbonyl oxygen nucleophilically attacks an α-hydrogen.

On-line monitoring of continuous flow chemical synthesis using a portable, small footprint mass spectrometer

For on-line monitoring of chemical reactions (batch or continuous flow), mass spectrometry (MS) can provide data to (1) determine the fate of starting materials and reagents, (2) confirm the presence of the desired product, (3) identify intermediates and impurities, (4) determine steady state conditions and point of completion, and (5) speed up process optimization. Recent developments in small footprint atmospheric pressure ionization portable mass spectrometers further enable this coupling, as the mass spectrometer can be easily positioned with the reaction system to be studied. A major issue for this combination is the transfer of a sample that is representative of the reaction and also compatible with the mass spectrometer. This is particularly challenging as high concentrations of reagents and products can be encountered in organic synthesis. The application of a portable mass spectrometer for on-line characterization of flow chemical synthesis has been evaluated by coupling a Microsaic 4000 MiD to the Future Chemistry Flow Start EVO chemistry system. Specifically, the Hofmann rearrangement has been studied using the on-line mass spectrometry approach. Sample transfer from the flow reactor is achieved using a mass rate attenuator (MRA) and a sampling make-up flow from a high pressure pump. This enables the appropriate sample dilution, transfer, and preparation for electrospray ionization. The capability of this approach to provide process understanding is described using an industrial pharmaceutical process that is currently under development. The effect of a number of key experimental parameters, such as the composition of the sampling make-up flow and the dilution factor on the mass spectrometry data, is also discussed.

Evolution of oxidation dynamics of histidine: non-reactivity in the gas phase, peroxides in hydrated clusters, and pH dependence in solution

Oxidation of histidine by (1)O2 is an important process associated with oxidative damage to proteins during aging, diseases and photodynamic therapy of tumors and jaundice, and photochemical transformations of biological species in the troposphere. However, the oxidation mechanisms and products of histidine differ dramatically in these related environments which range from the gas phase through aerosols to aqueous solution. Herein we report a parallel gas- and solution-phase study on the (1)O2 oxidation of histidine, aimed at evaluating the evolution of histidine oxidation pathways in different media and at different ionization states. We first investigated the oxidation of protonated and deprotonated histidine ions and the same systems hydrated with explicit water molecules in the gas phase, using guided-ion-beam-scattering mass spectrometry. Reaction coordinates and potential energy surfaces for these systems were established on the basis of density functional theory calculations, Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus modeling and direct dynamics simulations. Subsequently we tracked the oxidation process of histidine in aqueous solution under different pH conditions, using on-line UV-Vis spectroscopy and electrospray mass spectrometry monitoring systems. The results show that two different routes contribute to the oxidation of histidine depending on its ionization states. In each mechanism hydration is essential to suppressing the otherwise predominant dissociation of reaction intermediates back to reactants. The oxidation of deprotonated histidine in the gas phase involves the formation of 2,4-endoperoxide and 2-hydroperoxide of imidazole. These intermediates evolve to hydrated imidazolone in solution, and the latter either undergoes ring-closure to 6α-hydoxy-2-oxo-octahydro-pyrrolo[2,3-d]imidazole-5-carboxylate or cross-links with another histidine to form a dimeric product. In contrast, the oxidation of protonated histidine is mediated by 2,5-endoperoxide and 5-hydroperoxide, which convert to stable hydrated imidazolone end-product in solution. The contrasting mechanisms and reaction efficiencies of protonated vs. deprotonated histidine, which lead to pH dependence in the photooxidation of histidine, are interpreted in terms of the chemistry of imidazole with (1)O2. The biological implications of the results are also discussed.

Accelerated Hantzsch electrospray synthesis with temporal control of reaction intermediates

Complex chemical reactions can occur in electrosprayed droplets on the millisecond time scale. The Hantzsch synthesis of 1,4-dihydropyridines was studied in this way using on-line mass spectral analysis to optimize conditions and characterize the product mixture. Changing the distance between the nanospray source and the MS inlet allowed exploration of reaction progress as a function of droplet time-of-flight. Desolvation of the charged microdroplets is associated with transformation from starting material to intermediates and eventually to product as the distance is increased. Results of the on-line experiments require a termination step that discontinuously completes the desolvation process and allows the generated gaseous ions to be used to characterize the state of the system at a particular time. The intermediates seen correspond to those known to occur in the bulk solution-phase reaction. Off-line collection of the sprayed reaction mixture allowed the recovery of 250 mg h^-1 of desired reaction product from a single sprayer, permitting characterization by NMR and other standard methods. A thin film version of the accelerated reaction is described and it could be controlled through the temperature of the collection surface.

An improved rapid mixing device for time-resolved electrospray mass spectrometry measurements

Time series data can provide valuable insight into the complexity of biological reactions. Such information can be obtained by mass-spectrometry-based approaches that measure pre-steady-state kinetics. These methods are based on a mixing device that rapidly mixes the reactants prior to the on-line mass measurement of the transient intermediate steps. Here, we describe an improved continuous-flow mixing apparatus for real-time electrospray mass spectrometry measurements. Our setup was designed to minimize metal–solution interfaces and provide a sheath flow of nitrogen gas for generating stable and continuous spray that consequently enhances the signal-to-noise ratio. Moreover, the device was planned to enable easy mounting onto a mass spectrometer replacing the commercial electrospray ionization source. We demonstrate the performance of our apparatus by monitoring the unfolding reaction of cytochrome C, yielding improved signal-to-noise ratio and reduced experimental repeat errors.

The past, present, and future of molecular gels. What is the status of the field, and where is it going?

A Perspective is presented on the history and current understanding of molecular gels and the factors that must be considered to characterize them. The abilities of the most important structural, dynamic, and rheological tools available currently to provide the information necessary to follow the formation of a molecular gel from its initial sol phase and then to define it at different distance and time scales are discussed. Approaches to determining a priori when a molecule will gelate a selected liquid, as well as possible methodologies for overcoming current limitations in understanding molecular gels, are presented. Finally, some of the many potential and realized applications for these materials are enumerated.

Mass spectrometry-based approaches to protein–ligand interactions

One of the greatest current challenges in proteomics is to develop an understanding of cellular communication and regulation processes, most of which involve noncovalent interactions of proteins with various binding partners. Mass spectrometry plays an important role in all aspects of these research efforts. This article provides a survey of mass spectrometry-based approaches for exploring protein-ligand interactions. A wide array of techniques is available, and the choice of method depends on the specific problem at hand. For example, the high-throughput screening of compound libraries for binding to a specific receptor requires different approaches than structural studies on multiprotein complexes. This review is directed to readers wishing to obtain a concise yet comprehensive overview of existing experimental techniques. Specific emphasis is placed on emerging methods that have been developed within the last few years.

Continuous parallel ESI-MS analysis of reactions carried out in a bespoke 3D printed device

Herein, we present an approach for the rapid, straightforward and economical preparation of a tailored reactor device using three-dimensional (3D) printing, which can be directly linked to a high-resolution electrospray ionisation mass spectrometer (ESI-MS) for real-time, in-line observations. To highlight the potential of the setup, supramolecular coordination chemistry was carried out in the device, with the product of the reactions being recorded continuously and in parallel by ESI-MS. Utilising in-house-programmed computer control, the reactant flow rates and order were carefully controlled and varied, with the changes in the pump inlets being mirrored by the recorded ESI-MS spectra.

The expanding role of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry for probing reactive intermediates in solution

Within the past decade, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) has rapidly occupied a prominent position for liquid-phase mechanistic studies due to its intrinsic advantages allowing for efficient "fishing" (rapid, sensitive, specific and simultaneous detection/identification) of multiple intermediates and products directly from a "real-world" solution. In this review we attempt to offer a comprehensive overview of the ESI-MS-based methodologies and strategies developed up to date to study reactive species in reaction solutions. A full description of general issues involved with probing reacting species from complex (bio)chemical reaction systems is briefly covered, including the potential sources of reactive intermediate (metabolite) generation, analytical aspects and challenges, basic rudiments of ESI-MS and the state-of-the-art technology. The main purpose of the present review is to highlight the utility of ESI-MS and its expanding role in probing reactive intermediates from various reactions in solution, with special focus on current progress in ESI-MS-based approaches for improving throughput, testing reality and real-time detection by using newly developed MS instruments and emerging ionization sources (such as ambient ESI techniques). In addition, the limitations of modern ESI-MS in detecting intermediates in organic reactions is also discussed.

Continuous flow reaction monitoring using an on-line miniature mass spectrometer

RATIONALE

A recently developed miniature electrospray ionisation mass spectrometer has been coupled to a preparative flow chemistry system in order to monitor reactive intermediates and competing reaction paths, screen starting materials, and optimise reaction conditions. Although ideally suited to the application, mass spectrometers have rarely been used in this way, as traditional instruments are too bulky to be conveniently coupled to flow chemistry platforms.

METHODS

A six-port switching valve fitted with a 5 μL loop was used to periodically sample the flow stream leaving the reactor coil. Mass spectra corresponding to the sample loop contents were observed approximately 10 s after activating the valve. High fluidic pressure was maintained throughout to ensure that gaseous products remained in solution. As an illustrative example of how this apparatus can be employed, the generation of benzyne and its subsequent reaction with furan were investigated. Benzyne was prepared via diazotisation of anthranilic acid using tert-butyl nitrite.

RESULTS

Unexpectedly, the explosive diazotised intermediate was detected by the mass spectrometer at low coil temperatures or short residence times. The optimum reactor temperature and residence time for production of the desired Diels-Alder product are 50 °C and 3-5 min, respectively. There are competing reaction pathways leading to the formation of acridone and several other by-products.

CONCLUSIONS

On-line mass spectrometry allowed the flow conditions to be quickly tuned for safe operation and optimal generation of the desired product. The validity of this approach was corroborated by off-line liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) analysis of flow samples.

Quantitative real-time monitoring of chemical reactions by autosampling flow injection analysis coupled with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry

Although qualitative and/or semiquantitative real-time monitoring of chemical reactions have been reported with a few mass spectrometric approaches, to our knowledge, no quantitative mass spectrometric approach has been reported so far to have a calibration valid up to molar concentrations as required by process control. This is mostly due to the absence of a practical solution that could well address the sample overloading issue. In this study, a novel autosampling flow injection analysis coupled with an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (FIA/APCI-MS) system, consisting of a 1 μL automatic internal sample injector, a postinjection splitter with 1:10 splitting ratio, and a detached APCI source connected to the mass spectrometer using a 4.5 in. long, 0.042 in. inner diameter (ID) stainless-steel capillary, was thus introduced. Using this system together with an optional FIA solvent modifier, e.g., 0.05% (v/v) isopropylamine, a linear quantitative calibration up to molar concentration has been achieved with 3.4-7.2% relative standard deviations (RSDs) for 4 replicates. As a result, quantitative real-time monitoring of a model reaction was successfully performed at the 1.63 M level. It is expected that this novel autosampling FIA/APCI-MS system can be used in quantitative real-time monitoring of a wide range of reactions under diverse reaction conditions.

Two decades of studying non-covalent biomolecular assemblies by means of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Mass spectrometry (MS) is a recognized approach for characterizing proteins and the complexes they assemble into. This application of a long-established physico-chemical tool to the frontiers of structural biology has stemmed from experiments performed in the early 1990s. While initial studies focused on the elucidation of stoichiometry by means of simple mass determination, developments in MS technology and methodology now allow researchers to address questions of shape, inter-subunit connectivity and protein dynamics. Here, we chart the remarkable rise of MS and its application to biomolecular complexes over the last two decades.

Observation of dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate-myoglobin binding reaction using laser spray mass spectrometry

Covalent bonds are often created by a reaction between chemicals and protein before causing various adverse effects in a cell. Dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA), which has moderate toxicity, causes skin inflammation and throat irritation. For this study, we investigated a reaction mechanism between myoglobin and (DMAEMA) using a new analytical tool developed at our laboratory: laser spray mass spectrometry technique. It was found that initially DMAEMA was added to the amino group of protein by the Michael addition mechanism; the added DMAEMA was hydrolyzed to methacrylic acid using an autocatalytic system. The results of this study indicate the feasibility of the laser spray technique in analyses of reaction dynamics.

Stopped-flow kinetic analysis using Hadamard transform time-of-flight mass spectrometry

A home-built stopped-flow apparatus is interfaced to a Hadamard transform time-of-flight mass spectrometer, which permits study of reaction kinetics with a time between reaction initiation and observation as short as about 100 ms and a sampling rate of chemical change that can approach 1 ms. This technique is applied to the trypsin-catalyzed hydrolysis of several peptides and is validated by comparing the results with literature values as well as to optical data obtained with the present stopped-flow apparatus. In addition, we report a kinetic study of the action of trypsin on a peptide having more than one cleavage site.

Continuous flow infrared matrix-assisted laser desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Continuous flow infrared matrix-assisted laser desorption electrospray ionization (CF IR MALDESI) mass spectrometry was demonstrated for the on-line analysis of liquid samples. Samples in aqueous solution were flowed through a 50 µm i.d. fused-silica capillary at a flow rate of 1-6 µL/min. As analyte aqueous solution flowed through the capillary, a liquid sample bead formed at the capillary tip. A pulsed infrared optical parametric oscillator (OPO) laser with wavelength of 2.94 µm and a 20 Hz repetition rate was focused onto the capillary tip for sample desorption and ablation. The plume of ejected sample was entrained in an electrospray to form ions by MALDESI. The resulting ions were sampled into an ion trap mass spectrometer for analysis. Using CF IR MALDESI, several chemical and biochemical reactions were monitored on-line: the chelation of 1,10-phenanthroline with iron(II), insulin denaturation with 1,4-dithiothreitol, and tryptic digestion of cytochrome c.

Mass spectrometry combined with oxidative labeling for exploring protein structure and folding

This review discusses various mass spectrometry (MS)-based approaches for exploring structural aspects of proteins in solution. Electrospray ionization (ESI)-MS, in particular, has found fascinating applications in this area. For example, when used in conjunction with solution-phase hydrogen/deuterium exchange (HDX), ESI-MS is a highly sensitive tool for probing conformational dynamics. The main focus of this article is a technique that is complementary to HDX, that is, the covalent labeling of proteins by hydroxyl radicals. The reactivity of individual amino acid side chains with *OH is strongly affected by their degree of solvent exposure. Thus, analysis of the oxidative labeling pattern by peptide mapping and tandem mass spectrometry provides detailed structural information. A convenient method for *OH production is the photolysis of H(2)O(2) by a pulsed UV laser, resulting in oxidative labeling on the microsecond time scale. Selected examples demonstrate the use of this technique for structural studies on membrane proteins, and the combination with rapid mixing devices for characterizing the properties of short-lived protein (un)folding intermediates.

Real-time reaction monitoring by probe electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Probe electrospray ionization (PESI) is a modified version of the electrospray ionization (ESI), where the capillary for sampling and spraying is replaced by a solid needle. High tolerance to salts and direct ambient sampling are major advantages of PESI compared with conventional ESI. In this study, PESI-MS was used to monitor some biological and chemical reactions in real-time, such as acid-induced protein denaturation, hydrogen/deuterium exchange (HDX) of peptides, and Schiff base formation. By using PESI-MS, time-resolved mass spectra and ion chromatograms can be obtained reproducibly. Real-time PESI-MS monitoring can give direct and detailed information on each chemical species taking part in reactions, and this is valuable for a better understanding of the whole reaction process and for the optimization of reaction parameters. PESI-MS can be considered as a potential tool for real-time reaction monitoring due to its simplicity in instrumental setup, direct sampling with minimum sample preparation and low sample consumption.

Evolution of the solvent polarity in an electrospray plume

Solvent polarity plays an important role in electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), one of the most widely used analytical methods for biochemistry. To have a comprehensive understanding of how solvent polarity affects ESI-MS measurements, we systematically investigated the polarity change in the ESI plume formed from an ethanol solution using laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) spectroscopy. Two solvatochromic dyes (i.e., dyes whose fluorescence emission is sensitive to solvent polarity), Nile red and DCM (4-dicyanomethylene-2-methyl-6-p-dimethylaminostyryl-4H-pyran), were used as probes. The peak emission wavelengths of these two dyes exhibited significant red shifts (8-12 nm) when the measuring spot was moved away from the spray tip and in radial direction in the plume, indicating a dramatic polarity change during shrinking of the droplets. The emission intensities were also measured with a polarity-insensitive dye as a reference. The results are consistent with the peak wavelength measurements. Two key mechanisms responsible for the change of solvent polarity in the plume were considered, water entrainment from the surrounding air and solvent evaporation. Furthermore, quantitative analysis of the solvent polarity change was performed by using the Lippert-Mataga polarity parameter Deltaf. The value of Deltaf reached 0.305-0.307 at the periphery of the ESI plume, which means that the solvent polarity in the smaller droplet is close to that of a mixture of 30% water and 70% ethanol (Deltaf = 0.307), even though the bulk solvent was ethanol containing less than 1% water as an impurity.

Real-time, on-line monitoring of organic chemical reactions using extractive electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Extractive electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (EESI-MS) for real-time monitoring of organic chemical reactions was demonstrated for a well-established pharmaceutical process reaction and a widely used acetylation reaction in the presence of a nucleophilic catalyst, 4-dimethylaminopyridine (4-DMAP). EESI-MS provides real-time information that allows us to determine the optimum time for terminating the reaction based on the relative intensities of the precursors and products. In addition, tandem mass spectrometric (MS/MS) analysis via EESI-MS permits on-line validation of proposed reaction intermediates. The simplicity and rapid response of EESI-MS make it a valuable technique for on-line characterization and full control of chemical and pharmaceutical reactions, resulting in maximized product yield and minimized environmental costs.