Organic chloramine analysis and free chlorine quantification by electrospray and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Reaction of cyclamate with hypochlorous acid in vitro and formation of chlorcyclohexylamine and cyclohexylamine

In this work, we investigated the reaction of cyclamate with hypochlorous acid (HOCl) in simulated gastric juice. The reaction products were detected by high-performance liquid chromatography diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) and ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS/MS). We also explored the changes in product concentration as a function of reaction time, cyclamate and HOCl concentrations. Cyclamate reacted with hypochlorous acid instantly in the simulated gastric fluid. N, N-dichlorcyclohexylamine and cyclohexylamine were both detected when the HOCl concentration was at millimole. Cyclohexylamine can only be found when HOCl concentration was at micromole. N, N-dichlorcyclohexylamine and cyclohexylamine concentrations both increased when cyclamate concentration increased under the millimole level of HOCl. As an important reactive oxygen species, hypochlorous acid (HClO) is produced in various physiological processes. The abnormal rise of the HClO level is associated with many inflammatory diseases. Chronic gastritis associated with Helicobacter pylori is a multistep, progressive, life-long inflammation. So, chronic gastritis infected with H. pylori may cause cyclamate metabolizing into cyclohexylamine in vivo.

A Critical Review on Chemical Speciation of Chlorine-Produced Oxidants (CPOs) in Seawater. Part 1: Chlorine Chemistry in Seawater and Its Consequences in Terms of Biocidal Effectiveness and Environmental Impact

Seawater chlorination has three main industrial uses: disinfection of water and installations, control of biofouling, and preventing the transport of aquatic invasive species. Once in contact with seawater, chlorine reacts rapidly with water constituents (e.g. bromide ions, ammonia, and nitrogen-containing compounds) to form a range of oxidative species (e.g. bromine and N-haloamines), termed "chlorine-produced oxidants" (CPOs) or "total residual oxidants" (TRO). The chemical nature of CPOs and their concentration are a function of two categories of parameters related to treatment modality (e.g. chlorine dose) and water quality (e.g. temperature, pH, ammonia concentration, and organic constituents). The chlorination process may result in continuous or intermittent releases of CPOs in seawater. The reactivity and potential ecotoxicity of CPO species largely depend on their physical and chemical properties. Therefore, evaluation of the biocidal effectiveness of chlorination and its potential impacts requires not only determining the sum of CPOs (via a bulk parameter), but also their chemical speciation. The aim of this article - which is the first of a trilogy dedicated to the chemical speciation of CPOs in seawater - is to provide an overview of current knowledge about chlorine chemistry in seawater and to discuss the biocidal efficacy and the environmental fate of resulting CPOs. The 2nd and 3rd articles delineate a comprehensive and critical review of analytical methods and approaches for the determination of CPOs in seawater.

Mitochondria-targeting turn-on fluorescent probe for HClO detection and imaging in living cells

Hypochlorous/hypochlorite (HClO/ClO^-), one of the most important signal molecule, plays a crucial role in many cellular signaling pathways. It is reported that the HClO/ClO^- level in mitochondria is important to maintain the normal mitochondrial function. Herein, we present two simple fluorescent probes BAC and mitochondria-targeting fluorescent probe TACB for the detection of ClO^-. Probes BAC &TACB could be sensitively and selectivity detecting ClO^- at the nanomolar levels with the detection limit of 1.64 × 10^-9 M and 9.86 × 10^-8 M, respectively. Additionally, probes BAC &TACB with the response unit of CO moiety could selectively detect ClO^- over other various analytes such as anions, metal ions and OH, ¹O₂, H₂O₂. The response time of probe TACB for ClO^- (<20 s), implying that it could offer a real-time analytical assay of ClO^-. Finally, probe BAC was used for monitoring the ClO^- in HEK293T cells and probe TACB could be utilized to track the fluctuations of exogenous ClO^- levels in the mitochondria of Hela cells.

Self-assembled nanofibers of perylene diimide for the detection of hypochlorite in water, bio-fluids and solid-state: exogenous and endogenous bioimaging of hypochlorite in cells

PDI–DAMN shows the disintegration of nanofibers into flake-like aggregates with ‘turn-on’ fluorescence response on the addition of ClO⁻ in solid-state, bio-fluids and MG-63 cells.

Hydrogen/deuterium exchange in mass spectrometry

The isotopic exchange approach is in use since the first observation of such reactions in 1933 by Lewis. This approach allows the investigation of the pathways of chemical and biochemical reactions, determination of structure, composition, and conformation of molecules. Mass spectrometry has now become one of the most important analytical tools for the monitoring of the isotopic exchange reactions. Investigation of conformational dynamics of proteins, quantitative measurements, obtaining chemical, and structural information about individual compounds of the complex natural mixtures are mainly based on the use of isotope exchange in combination with high resolution mass spectrometry. The most important reaction is the Hydrogen/Deuterium exchange, which is mainly performed in the solution. Recently we have developed the approach allowing performing of the Hydrogen/Deuterium reaction on-line directly in the ionization source under atmospheric pressure. Such approach simplifies the sample preparation and can accelerate the exchange reaction so that certain hydrogens that are considered as non-labile will also participate in the exchange. The use of in-ionization source H/D exchange in modern mass spectrometry for structural elucidation of molecules serves as the basic theme in this review. We will focus on the mechanisms of the isotopic exchange reactions and on the application of in-ESI, in-APCI, and in-APPI source Hydrogen/Deuterium exchange for the investigation of petroleum, natural organic matter, oligosaccharides, and proteins including protein-protein complexes. The simple scenario for adaptation of H/D exchange reactions into mass spectrometric method is also highlighted along with a couple of examples collected from previous studies.

Organic chloramines in chlorine-based disinfected water systems: A critical review

This paper is a critical review of current knowledge of organic chloramines in water systems, including their formation, stability, toxicity, analytical methods for detection, and their impact on drinking water treatment and quality. The term organic chloramines may refer to any halogenated organic compounds measured as part of combined chlorine (the difference between the measured free and total chlorine concentrations), and may include N-chloramines, N-chloramino acids, N-chloraldimines and N-chloramides. Organic chloramines can form when dissolved organic nitrogen or dissolved organic carbon react with either free chlorine or inorganic chloramines. They are potentially harmful to humans and may exist as an intermediate for other disinfection by-products. However, little information is available on the formation or occurrence of organic chloramines in water due to a number of challenges. One of the biggest challenges for the identification and quantification of organic chloramines in water systems is the lack of appropriate analytical methods. In addition, many of the organic chloramines that form during disinfection are unstable, which results in difficulties in sampling and detection. To date research has focussed on the study of organic monochloramines. However, given that breakpoint chlorination is commonly undertaken in water treatment systems, the formation of organic dichloramines should also be considered. Organic chloramines can be formed from many different precursors and pathways. Therefore, studying the occurrence of their precursors in water systems would enable better prediction and management of their formation.

Formation and reactivity of inorganic and organic chloramines and bromamines during oxidative water treatment

The formation and further reactions of halamines during oxidative water treatment can be relevant for water quality. In this study, we investigated the formation and reactivity of several inorganic and organic halamines (monochloramine, N-chloromethylamine, N-chlorodimethylamine, monobromamine, dibromamine, N-bromomethylamine, N,N-dibromomethylamine, and N-bromodimethylamine) by kinetic experiments, transformation product analysis, and quantum chemical computations. Kinetic model simulations were conducted to evaluate the relevance of halamines for various water treatment scenarios. Halamines were quickly formed from the reaction of chlorine and bromine with ammonia or organic amines. Species-specific second-order rate constants for the reaction of chlorine and bromine with ammonia, methyl- and dimethylamine were in the order of 10⁶-10⁸ M^-1s^-1. The formed halamines were found to be reactive towards phenolic compounds, forming halogenated phenols via electrophilic aromatic substitution (phenol and resorcinol) or quinones via electron transfer (catechol and hydroquinone). At near neutral pH, apparent second-order rate constants for these reactions were in the order of 10^-4-10^-1 M^-1s^-1 for chloramines and 10¹-10² M^-1s^-1 for bromamines. Quantum chemical computations were used to determine previously unknown aqueous pK_a values, gas phase bond dissociation energies (BDE) and partial atomic charges of the halamines, allowing a better understanding of their reactivities. Kinetic model simulations, based on the results of this study, showed that during chlorination inorganic and organic chloramines are the main halamines formed. However, their further reactions with organic matter are outcompeted kinetically by chlorine. During ozonation, mainly inorganic bromamines are formed, since ozone quickly oxidizes organic amines. The further reactions of bromamine are typically outcompeted by ozone and thus generally of minor importance. The use of peracetic acid for saline ballast water treatment can result in the formation of substantial amounts of bromamines, which can react with dissolved organic matter and contribute to the formation of brominated products.

Formation of organic chloramines during chlor(am)ination and UV/chlor(am)ination of algae organic matter in drinking water

Surface water are frequently subjected to problems of algal blooms and release of algae organic matter (AOM) from the algae cells, which cause many water quality issues. This study investigated the formation of organic chloramines and nitrogenous disinfection by-products (N-DBPs) during chlor(am)ination and UV/chlor(am)ination of AOM in drinking water. AOM caused higher organic chloramine formation than humic acid and fulvic acid during chlor(am)ination. The formation of organic chloramines increased first and then decreased with the increase of free chlorine dosage, but kept increasing with the increase of NH2Cl dosage. During AOM chlorination, the formation of organic chloramines kept decreasing as the reaction time went by, and the maximum organic chloramine proportion (79.1%) in total chlorine occurred at 8 h. However, during AOM chloramination, the formation of organic chloramines increased first, decreased in the following and then increased again as the reaction time went by, and the maximum organic chloramine proportion (22.1%) in total chlorine occurred at 24 h. UV irradiation pretreatment did not effectively influence organic chloramine formation during AOM chlor(am)ination, but accelerated the degradation of organic chloramines during chloramination. Besides, UV pretreatment enhanced the formation of N-DBPs during the subsequent chlor(am)ination of AOM, especially dichloroacetonitrile.

Gold(I)-catalyzed diastereo- and enantioselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition and Mannich reactions of azlactones

Azlactones participate in stereoselective reactions with electron-deficient alkenes and N-sulfonyl aldimines to give products of 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition and Mannich addition reactions, respectively. Both of these reactions proceed with good to excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivity using a single class of gold catalysts, namely C(2)-symmetric bis(phosphinegold(I) carboxylate) complexes. The development of the azlactone Mannich reaction to provide fully protected anti-α,β-diamino acid derivatives is described. 1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition reactions of several acyclic 1,2-disubstituted alkenes and the chemistry of the resultant cycloadducts are examined to probe the stereochemical course of this reaction. Reaction kinetics and tandem mass spectrometry studies of both the cycloaddition and Mannich reactions are reported. These studies support a mechanism in which the gold complexes catalyze addition reactions through nucleophile activation rather than the more typical activation of the electrophilic reaction component.

Reaction mechanism for chlorination of urea

Experiments were conducted to elucidate the mechanism of the reaction between free chlorine and urea. In combination with findings of previous investigations, the results of these experiments indicate a process by which urea undergoes multiple N-chlorination steps. The first of these steps results in the formation of N-chlorourea; this step appears to require Cl₂ to proceed and is the overall rate-limiting step in the reaction for conditions that correspond to most swimming pools. N-Chlorourea then appears to undergo further chlorine substitution; the fully N-chlorinated urea molecule is hypothesized to undergo hydrolysis and additional chlorination to yield NCl₃ as an intermediate. NCl₃ is hydrolyzed to yield NH₂Cl and NHCl₂, with subsequent decay to stable end products, including N₂ and NO₃⁻. Conversion of urea-N to nitrate is pH-dependent. The pattern of nitrate yield is believed to be attributable to the fact that when urea serves as the source of reduced-N, entry into the reactions that describe chlorination of ammoniacal nitrogen is through NCl₃, whereas when NH₃ is the source of reduced-N, entry to these reactions is through NH₂Cl.

Surface desorption atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry for direct ambient sample analysis without toxic chemical contamination

Ambient mass spectrometry, pioneered with desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) technique, is of increasing interest in recent years. In this study, a corona discharge ionization source is adapted for direct surface desorption chemical ionization of compounds on various surfaces at atmospheric pressure. Ambient air, with about 60% relative humidity, is used as a reagent to generate primary ions such as H(3)O(+), which is then directed to impact the sample surface for desorption and ionization. Under experimental conditions, protonated or deprotonated molecules of analytes present on various samples are observed using positive or negative corona discharge. Fast detection of trace amounts of analytes present in pharmaceutical preparations, viz foods, skins and clothes has been demonstrated without any sample pretreatment. Taking the advantage of the gasless setup, powder samples such as amino acids and mixtures of pharmaceutical preparations are rapidly analyzed. Impurities such as sudan dyes in tomato sauce are detected semiquantitatively. Molecular markers (e.g. putrescine) for meat spoilage are successfully identified from an artificially spoiled fish sample. Chemical warfare agent stimulants, explosives and herbicides are directly detected from the skin samples and clothing exposed to these compounds. This provides a detection limit of sub-pg (S/N > or = 3) range in MS2. Metabolites and consumed chemicals such as glucose are detected successfully from human skins. Conclusively, surface desorption atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (DAPCI) mass spectrometry, without toxic chemical contamination, detects various compounds in complex matrices, showing promising applications for analyses of human related samples.

ESI-MS studies on the mechanism of Pd0-catalyzed three-component tandem double addition-cyclization reaction

Four cationic palladium intermediates have been characterized by the high-resolution ESI-FTMS technology, on the basis of which a mechanism was proposed for the Pd0-catalyzed three-component tandem double addition cyclization of organic halides, 2-(2,3-allenyl)malonates, and imines.

Electrospray ionization Fourier transform mass spectrometry of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons using silver(I)-mediated ionization

Here, a methodology employing doped Ag(I) salt as an in situ cationization reagent for efficient ionization of nonpolar molecules within a conventional electrospray ionization source is described. The effectiveness of Ag(I)-mediated ionization is demonstrated using ESI Fourier transform mass spectrometry for the rapid detection and identification of priority pollutant polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) species. In contrast to earlier coordination ESI-MS reports employing silver salts, argentated species are not typically observed for PAH species. Instead, oxidation of the PAH occurs to produce only the [PAH]+· odd-electron molecular parent ion, simplifying spectral analysis. In addition, the method demonstrates linear quantitative performance. The Ag(I) reagent provides quantifiable PAHs (not ordinarily amenable to ESI-MS) from 64 ppb, and suggests the immediate potential for sampling and on-line monitoring of complex, real world, and otherwise intractable environmental samples. Finally, the high mass accuracy of ESI Fourier transform mass spectrometry further allows unequivocal identification of molecular formulas within PAH mixtures.Key words: electrospray ionization, nonpolar, hydrocarbons, polyaromatic, Fourier transform mass spectrometry.