Priscila M. Lalli

Ambient mass spectrometry: bringing MS into the "real world".

AbstractMass spectrometry has recently undergone a second contemporary revolution with the introduction of a new group of desorption/ionization (DI) techniques known collectively as ambient mass spectrometry. Performed in an open atmosphere directly on samples in their natural environments or matrices, or by using auxiliary surfaces, ambient mass spectrometry (MS) has greatly simplified and increased the speed of MS analysis. Since its debut in 2004 there has been explosive growth in the applications and variants of ambient MS, and a very comprehensive set of techniques based on different desorption and ionization mechanisms is now available. Most types of molecules with a large range of masses and polarities can be ionized with great ease and simplicity with the outstanding combination of the speed, selectivity, and sensitivity of MS detection. This review describes and compares the basis of ionization and the concepts of the most promising ambient MS techniques known to date and illustrates, via typical analytical and bioanalytical applications, how ambient MS is helping to bring MS analysis deeper than ever into the “real world” open atmosphere environment—to wherever MS is needed. FigureSchematic of EASI

Protomers: formation, separation and characterization via travelling wave ion mobility mass spectrometry

Travelling wave ion mobility mass spectrometry (TWIM-MS) with post-TWIM and pre-TWIM collision-induced dissociation (CID) experiments were used to form, separate and characterize protomers sampled directly from solutions or generated in the gas phase via CID. When in solution equilibria, these species were transferred to the gas phase via electrospray ionization, and then separated by TWIM-MS. CID performed after TWIM separation (post-TWIM) allowed the characterization of both protomers via structurally diagnostic fragments. Protonated aniline (1) sampled from solution was found to be constituted of a ca. 5:1 mixture of two gaseous protomers, that is, the N-protonated (1a) and ring protonated (1b) molecules, respectively. When dissociated, 1a nearly exclusively loses NH(3) , whereas 1b displays a much diverse set of fragments. When formed via CID, varying populations of 1a and 1b were detected. Two co-existing protomers of two isomeric porphyrins were also separated and characterized via post-TWIM CID. A deprotonated porphyrin sampled from a basic methanolic solution was found to be constituted predominantly of the protomer arising from deprotonation at the carboxyl group, which dissociates promptly by CO(2) loss, but a CID-resistant protomer arising from deprotonation at a porphyrinic ring NH was also detected and characterized. The doubly deprotonated porphyrin was found to be constituted predominantly of a single protomer arising from deprotonation of two carboxyl groups.

Baseline resolution of isomers by traveling wave ion mobility mass spectrometry: investigating the effects of polarizable drift gases and ionic charge distribution

We have studied the behavior of isomers and analogues by traveling wave ion mobility mass spectrometry (TWIM-MS) using drift-gases with varying masses and polarizabilities. Despite the reduced length of the cell (18 cm), a pair of constitutional isomers, N-butylaniline and para-butylaniline, with theoretical collision cross-section values in helium (ΩHe ) differing by as little as 1.2 Å(2) (1.5%) but possessing contrasting charge distribution, showed baseline peak-to-peak resolution (Rp-p ) for their protonated molecules, using carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O) and ethene (C2H4 ) as the TWIM drift-gas. Near baseline Rp-p was also obtained in CO2 for a group of protonated haloanilines (para-chloroaniline, para-bromoaniline and para-iodoaniline) which display contrasting masses and theoretical ΩHe , which differ by as much as 15.7 Å(2) (19.5%) but similar charge distributions. The deprotonated isomeric pair of trans-oleic acid and cis-oleic acid possessing nearly identical theoretical ΩHe and ΩN2 as well as similar charge distributions, remained unresolved. Interestingly, an inversion of drift-times were observed for the 1,3-dialkylimidazolium ions when comparing He, N2 and N2O. Using density functional theory as a means of examining the ions electronic structure, and He and N2-based trajectory method algorithm, we discuss the effect of the long-range charge induced dipole attractive and short-range Van der Waals forces involved in the TWIM separation in drift-gases of differing polarizabilities. We therefore propose that examining the electronic structure of the ions under investigation may potentially indicate whether the use of more polarizable drift-gases could improve separation and the overall success of TWIM-MS analysis.

Separation of isomeric disaccharides by traveling wave ion mobility mass spectrometry using CO2 as drift gas

The use of CO(2) as a massive and polarizable drift gas is shown to greatly improve peak-to-peak resolution (R(p-p) ), as compared with N(2) , for the separation of disaccharides in a Synapt G2 traveling wave ion mobility cell. Near or baseline R(p-p) was achieved for three pairs of sodiated molecules of disaccharide isomers, that is, cellobiose and sucrose (R(p-p)  = 0.76), maltose and sucrose (R(p-p)  = 1.04), and maltose and lactose (R(p-p)  = 0.74). Ion mobility mass spectrometry using CO(2) as the drift gas offers therefore an attractive alternative for fast and efficient separation of isomeric disaccharides.

Charge-tagged acetate ligands as mass spectrometry probes for metal complexes investigations: applications in Suzuki and Heck phosphine-free reactions.

An acetate anion bearing an imidazolium cation as its charge tag was reacted with M(OAc)(2) complexes (where M = Ni, Cu, and Pd; in situ reaction) to form members of a new class of charge-tagged metal complexes. The formation of these unprecedented precatalysts with potential for cross-coupling reactions was confirmed by electrospray ionization (and tandem) mass spectrometry. The catalytic performance of the palladium complex was tested in Heck and Suzuki cross-coupling reactions, often with superior activity and yields as compared with Pd(OAc)(2).

Morita–Baylis–Hillman Reaction: ESI-MS(/MS) Investigation with Charge Tags and Ionic Liquid Effect Origin Revealed by DFT Calculations

The use of a charge-tagged acrylate derivative bearing an imidazolium tag to study the Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction via ESI-MS(/MS) monitoring and the effect of such tag (imidazolium cations and ion pairs) over TSs is described. The ionic nature of the substrate was meant to facilitate ESI transfer to the gas phase for direct mass spectrometric analysis. The detection and characterization of charged intermediates has suggested major reaction pathways. DFT calculations considering the effect of a polar and protic solvent (methanol), of a polar and aprotic solvent (acetonitrile), and of no solvent (gas phase) were used to predict possible TSs through a common accepted intermediate. The controversial proton transfer step, which may proceed via Aggarwals or McQuades proposals, was evaluated. Calculations predicted the formation of electrostatic intermediate complexes with both the cation and anion when charge-tagged reagents are used. These complexes contribute to the positive ionic liquid effect, and based on the formation of these unique complexes, a rationale for the ionic liquid effect is proposed. These complexes also pointed to a plausible explanation for the positive ionic liquid effect observed in several reactions that are difficult to be carried out in organic solvents but have shown a beneficial effect when performed in ionic liquids.

Analyzing Brazilian vehicle documents for authenticity by easy ambient sonic-spray ionization mass spectrometry.

Abstract:  Using desorption/ionization techniques such as easy ambient sonic‐spray ionization mass spectrometry (EASI‐MS), it is possible to analyze documents of Brazilian vehicles for authenticity, providing a chemical profile directly from the surface of each document. A method for the detection of counterfeit documents is described, and the falsification procedure is elucidated. Forty authentic and counterfeit documents were analyzed by both positive and negative ion modes, EASI(±)‐MS. EASI(+)‐MS results identified the presence of (bis(2‐ethylhexyl)phthalate plasticizer and of dihexadecyldimethylammonium biocide in both types of documents. For EASI(−)‐MS results, the 4‐octyloxybenzoic acid additive ([M + H]+: m/z 249) is present only in counterfeit documents. It was also found that counterfeit vehicle documents are produced via Laserjet printers. Desorption/ionization techniques, such as EASI‐MS, offer therefore, an intelligent way to characterize the counterfeiting method.

Structure-drift time relationships in ion mobility mass spectrometry

Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) separates ions while they travel through a buffer gas under the influence of an electrical field. The separation is affected by mass and charge but most particularly by shape (collision cross section). When coupled to MS, IMS-MS offers therefore a powerful tool for structural elucidation and isomer separation. Systematic studies aimed to compare and quantitate the effects of structural changes on drift time such as length and ramification of carbon chain, unsaturation, geometrical isomerism (cis/trans isomers for instance), cyclization and ring size are, however, scarce. Herein we used traveling wave ion mobility mass spectrometry (TWIM-MS) to systematically evaluate the relationship between structure and drift time. For that, a series of deprotonated carboxylic acids were used as model ions with a carboxylate “charge tag” for gas phase MS manipulation. Carboxylic acids showed a near linear correlation between the increase of carbon number and the increase of collision cross section (CCS). The number of double bonds changes slightly the CCS of unsaturated acids. No differences in drift time and no significant differences in CCS of cis- and trans-double bond of oleic and elaidic acids were observed. Cyclization considerably reduces the CCS. In cyclic carboxylic acids, the increase of double bonds and aromatization significantly reduces the CCS and the drift times. The use of a more polarizable drift gas, CO2, improved in some cases the separation, as for biomarker isomers of steranoic acids. The β-isomer (cis-decaline) has smaller CCS and therefore displayed lower drift time compared to the α-isomer (trans-decaline). Structural changes revealed by calculations were correlated with trends in drift times.

Resolution of isomeric multi-ruthenated porphyrins by travelling wave ion mobility mass spectrometry.

The ability of travelling wave ion mobility mass spectrometry (TWIM-MS) to resolve cationic meta/para and cis/trans isomers of mono-, di-, tri- and tetra-ruthenated supramolecular porphyrins was investigated. All meta isomers were found to be more compact than the para isomers and therefore mixtures of all isomeric pairs could be properly resolved with baseline or close to baseline peak-to-peak resolution (R(p-p)). Di-substituted cis/trans isomers were found, however, to present very similar drift times and could not be resolved. N(2) and CO(2) were tested as the drift gas, and similar α but considerably better values of R(p) and R(p-p) were always observed for CO(2).

Condensed, solution and gas phase behaviour of mono- and dinuclear 2,6-diacetylpyridine (dap) hydrazone copper complexes probed by X-ray, mass spectrometry and theoretical calculations

We describe the synthesis of novel mononuclear and dinuclear copper complexes and an investigation of their behaviour in solution using mass spectrometry (ESI-MS and ESI-MS/MS) and in the solid state using X-ray crystallography. The complexes were synthesized from two widely used diacetylpryridine (dap) ligands, i.e. 2,6-diacetylpyridinebis(benzoic acid hydrazone) and 2,6-diacetylpyridinebis(2-aminobenzoic acid hydrazone). Theoretical calculations (DFT) were used to predict the complex geometries of these new structures, their equilibrium in solution and energies associated with the transformations.