Mass spectrometric methods for monitoring redox processes in electrochemical cells

Electrochemistry (EC) is a mature scientific discipline aimed to study the movement of electrons in an oxidation–reduction reaction. EC covers techniques that use a measurement of potential, charge, or current to determine the concentration or the chemical reactivity of analytes. The electrical signal is directly converted into chemical information. For in‐depth characterization of complex electrochemical reactions involving the formation of diverse intermediates, products and byproducts, EC is usually combined with other analytical techniques, and particularly the hyphenation of EC with mass spectrometry (MS) has found broad applicability. The analysis of gases and volatile intermediates and products formed at electrode surfaces is enabled by differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS). In DEMS an electrochemical cell is sampled with a membrane interface for electron ionization (EI)‐MS. The chemical space amenable to EC/MS (i.e., bioorganic molecules including proteins, peptides, nucleic acids, and drugs) was significantly increased by employing electrospray ionization (ESI)‐MS. In the simplest setup, the EC of the ESI process is used to analytical advantage. A limitation of this approach is, however, its inability to precisely control the electrochemical potential at the emitter electrode. Thus, particularly for studying mechanistic aspects of electrochemical processes, the hyphenation of discrete electrochemical cells with ESI‐MS was found to be more appropriate. The analytical power of EC/ESI‐MS can further be increased by integrating liquid chromatography (LC) as an additional dimension of separation. Chromatographic separation was found to be particularly useful to reduce the complexity of the sample submitted either to the EC cell or to ESI‐MS. Thus, both EC/LC/ESI‐MS and LC/EC/ESI‐MS are common. © 2013 The Authors. Mass Spectrometry Reviews published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Mass Spec Rev 34:64–92, 2015     

中药多成分药代动力学分析技术研究进展

中药多成分药代动力学是中医药理论和作用机制阐明的重要研究内容。如何全面、准确地描述中药复杂成分在体内的药代动力学过程，诠释中药多成分、多靶标、多途径的特点，需要强有力的分析技术支撑。近年来，多种高通量、快速、自动化的前处理技术显著提升了中药体内外多成分的分离提取效率；色谱、质谱分析技术蓬勃发展，推动了中药体内外多成分的快速鉴别和全面、准确定量；质谱成像等新兴技术不断涌现，为中药多成分药代动力学研究提供了新的分析平台和研究手段。本文综述了近10年来中药多成分药代动力学研究分析技术的进展和应用，并对其前景进行展望。     

氟喹诺酮类抗生素的表面解吸常压化学电离质谱行为研究

采用表面解吸常压化学电离质谱（DAPCI-MS）技术对5种氟喹诺酮类化合物进行多级串联质谱研究,获得了各化合物的多级质谱信息。通过比较各化合物质谱裂解途径的异同,发现在正离子检测模式下,氟喹诺酮类化合物在碰撞诱导解离过程中均产生中性丢失44 u（CO₂）、28 u（CO）、20 u（HF）、18 u（H₂O）的离子峰。如果结构中含有哌嗪环取代基,脱羧后可观察到哌嗪环的重排反应,生成丢失43 u（C₂H₃NH₂）和57 u（CH₃-CH₂-N[CDS1]CH₂）的碎片离子,这可作为“诊断”其他氟喹诺酮类化合物和结构类似物的特征。该方法无需样品预处理,不使用有机溶剂,分析速度快,是一种无污染、无毒、原位、无损的分析方法,可为痕量药物分析提供新的思路。     

Mass spectrometry imaging under ambient conditions

Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) has emerged as an important tool in the last decade and it is beginning to show potential to provide new information in many fields owing to its unique ability to acquire molecularly specific images and to provide multiplexed information, without the need for labeling or staining. In MSI, the chemical identity of molecules present on a surface is investigated as a function of spatial distribution. In addition to now standard methods involving MSI in vacuum, recently developed ambient ionization techniques allow MSI to be performed under atmospheric pressure on untreated samples outside the mass spectrometer. Here we review recent developments and applications of MSI emphasizing the ambient ionization techniques of desorption electrospray ionization (DESI), laser ablation electrospray ionization (LAESI), probe electrospray ionization (PESI), desorption atmospheric pressure photoionization (DAPPI), femtosecond laser desorption ionization (fs‐LDI), laser electrospray mass spectrometry (LEMS), infrared laser ablation metastable‐induced chemical ionization (IR‐LAMICI), liquid microjunction surface sampling probe mass spectrometry (LMJ‐SSP MS), nanospray desorption electrospray ionization (nano‐DESI), and plasma sources such as the low temperature plasma (LTP) probe and laser ablation coupled to flowing atmospheric‐pressure afterglow (LA‐FAPA). Included are discussions of some of the features of ambient MSI for example the ability to implement chemical reactions with the goal of providing high abundance ions characteristic of specific compounds of interest and the use of tandem mass spectrometry to either map the distribution of targeted molecules with high specificity or to provide additional MS information on the structural identification of compounds. We also describe the role of bioinformatics in acquiring and interpreting the chemical and spatial information obtained through MSI, especially in biological applications for tissue diagnostic purposes. Finally, we discuss the challenges in ambient MSI and include perspectives on the future of the field. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Mass Spec Rev 32:218–243, 2013     

HPLC-Q-TOF MS鉴定条叶榕根茎乙酸乙酯提取物中的主要化学成分

采用高效液相色谱-四极杆飞行时间质谱(HPLC-Q-TOF MS)技术对条叶榕根茎乙酸乙酯提取物中的多种活性化学组分进行了分析鉴定。采用正离子与负离子两种扫描方式,依据高分辨质谱提供的准分子离子峰和碎片离子的精确分子质量信息,确证了有关物质及其特征碎片离子的分子组成。再结合标准品对照与相关文献数据支持,最终鉴定出条叶榕根茎乙酸乙酯提取物中的34种化学成分,其中包括12种多酚、8种香豆素、9种黄酮、4种脂肪酸、1种蒽醌。结果表明,采用HPLC-Q-TOF MS技术可提高中药化学成分的分析效率,有利于新化合物的发现与鉴别。     

双（氢化牛脂基）二甲基季铵化合物的质谱裂解规律及色谱分离研究

建立了高效液相色谱-电喷雾串联质谱（HPLC-ESI-MS/MS）联用技术快速鉴定和检测双（氢化牛脂基）二甲基季铵化合物（DHTDMAC）的方法。通过对双（氢化牛脂基）二甲基氯化铵标准品的质谱解析,由一级质谱中各成分的特征母离子峰和二级质谱裂解碎片,得出质谱裂解规律,并推断出标准品中所包含的16种DHTDMAC组分。通过中性丢失扫描、母离子扫描和子离子扫描对质谱解析和裂解规律进行了验证。通过色谱条件的优化,采用电喷雾电离正离子（ESI⁺）、多反应监测（MRM）模式,建立了色谱分离、质谱检测的方法。本研究鉴定出不同链长烷基和碳数的DHTDMAC组分,并建立了DHTDMAC单个组分的简便、高效的检测方法,对准确研究该类化合物,以及加强环境、化工产品和消费品中DHTDMAC的监控提供了依据。     

富勒烯及富勒烯衍生物的质谱研究进展

综述了近 2 0年来富勒烯及其衍生物的质谱研究进展。概述了激光解吸飞行时间质谱 ( LD-TOFMS)、化学电离质谱 ( CIMS)、解吸化学电离质谱 ( DCIMS)、解吸电子轰击质谱 ( DEIMS)、电喷雾电离质谱 ( ESIMS)、傅立叶变换离子回旋共振质谱 ( FT-ICRMS)等质谱技术在富勒烯及其衍生物的表征、生成机理及结构研究、富勒烯气相离子化学及反应活性研究等中发挥的重要作用。由于 C60 等富勒烯及其衍生物的难挥发性及强紫外光吸收能力 ,L D-TOFMS特别适用于富勒烯及其衍生物的分析。结合其它技术 ,LD-TOFMS对富勒烯的生成机理及构型构象异构提供了大量的信息。各种质谱技术与离子化技术结合 ,揭示了不同富勒烯及富勒烯衍生物单分子的解离模式 ,证明了富勒烯的“超芳香性”和“超烯性”等各种反应活性     

Direct-EI in LC-MS: towards a universal detector for small-molecule applications

This review article will give an up-to-date and exhaustive overview on the efficient use of electron ionization (EI) to couple liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (LC-MS) with an innovative interface called Direct-EI. EI is based on the gas-phase ionization of the analytes, and it is suitable for many applications in a wide range of LC-amenable compounds. In addition, thanks to its operating principles, it prevents unwelcome matrix effects (ME). In fact, although atmospheric pressure ionization (API) methodologies have boosted the use of LC-MS, the related analytical methods are sometime affected by inaccurate quantitative results, due to unavoidable and unpredictable ME. In addition, API's soft ionization spectra always demand for costly and complex tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) instruments, which are essential to acquire an "information-rich" spectrum and to obtain accurate quantitative information. In EI a one-stage analyzer is sufficient for a qualitative investigation and MS/MS detection is only used to improve sensitivity and to cut chemical noise. The technology illustrated here provides a robust and straightforward access to classical, well-characterized EI data for a variety of LC applications, and readily interpretable spectra for a wide range of areas of research. The Direct-EI interface can represent the basis for a forthcoming universal LC-MS detector for small molecules.     

Development and applications of surface-activated chemical ionization

This review regards the recently developed ionization source named surface-activated chemical ionization (SACI) that employs an interaction with a surface placed at low voltage for the activation of the ionization of sample molecules to increase the sensitivity in the analysis of various compounds of biological and clinical interest. These results are due to the strong chemical noise decrease and the increase of ionization efficiency. This ionization source has been employed for the analysis of various compounds of different molecular mass and polarity (addicted and pharmaceutical drugs, amino acids, steroids, peptides, and proteins). The SACI development theoretical mechanism, benefits, disadvantages, applications, and future developments are reported and discussed.     

利用质谱技术解析糖类结构的研究进展

糖类物质是重要的生物信息分子,在许多生命活动中发挥着重要作用。糖类物质的结构非常复杂,其结构解析一直是糖生物学研究的瓶颈。在糖类物质结构解析的诸多方法中,质谱技术被认为是一种不可缺少的重要手段。本工作综述了质谱及色谱-质谱联用法在糖类结构解析中的研究进展,包括电子轰击质谱、化学电离质谱、快原子轰击质谱、电喷雾质谱、基质辅助激光解析电离质谱、色谱-质谱联用技术(气相色谱-质谱和液相色谱-质谱),并比较了各种方法在糖类物质定性、定量分析中的优缺点。随着质谱技术的不断发展,糖链的释放和衍生化方法的不断改进,以及谱图解析工作的进一步深入,质谱技术必将成为糖类物质结构解析的有力工具。     

Recent advances in mass spectrometry analysis of phenolic endocrine disruptors and related compounds

This article reviews recent literature on current methodologies based on chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry to analyze phenolic compounds with endocrine‐disrupting capabilities. For this review we chose alkylphenol ethoxylates, bisphenol A, bisphenol F, and their degradation products and halogenated derivatives, which are considered important environmental contaminants. Additionally, some related compounds such as bisphenol diglycidylethers were included. Growing attention has been paid to the mass spectrometric characterization of these compounds and the instrumentation and strategies used for their quantification and confirmation. The current use of gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) methodologies with different mass spectrometers and ionization and monitoring modes is discussed. Practical aspects with regards to the use of these analytical techniques, such as derivatizing reagents in GC–MS, ion suppression in LC–MS, and the most problematic aspects of quantification, are included in the discussion. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Mass Spec Rev 29:776–805, 2010     

Residue analysis of 500 high priority pesticides: Better by GC–MS or LC–MS/MS?

This overview evaluates the capabilities of mass spectrometry (MS) in combination with gas chromatography (GC) and liquid chromatography (LC) for the determination of a multitude of pesticides. The selection of pesticides for this assessment is based on the status of production, the existence of regulations on maximum residue levels in food, and the frequency of residue detection. GC-MS with electron impact (EI) ionization and the combination of LC with tandem mass spectrometers (LC-MS/MS) using electrospray ionization (ESI) are identified as techniques most often applied in multi-residue methods for pesticides at present. Therefore, applicability and sensitivity obtained with GC-EI-MS and LC-ESI-MS/MS is individually compared for each of the selected pesticides. Only for one substance class only, the organochlorine pesticides, GC-MS achieves better performance. For all other classes of pesticides, the assessment shows a wider scope and better sensitivity if detection is based on LC-MS.     

原位电离便携式质谱研究卡西酮类毒品的裂解规律和分析策略

采用纸毛细管喷雾（PCS）原位电离便携式质谱,在正离子模式下采集国内列管的40种卡西酮类毒品的质谱信息,分析一级质谱图［M+H］⁺峰,MS²、MS²_DDA模式下的特征碎片峰及其相对丰度比,建立用于40种卡西酮类毒品快速筛查的质谱数据库。研究发现,所有卡西酮类毒品均存在α位的C—N键裂解;根据最高离子峰是否为［M-H₂O+H］⁺碎片峰可推测其是否存在仲、叔胺结构;N上取代基为吡咯烷基的卡西酮类毒品存在m/z 98+C_nH_2n系列特征峰;苯环上取代基为亚甲二氧基的卡西酮类毒品存在［M+H］⁺峰失去48 u或非［M+H］⁺峰失去30 u的特征离子峰。设计推断未知卡西酮类化合物的分析策略,并成功应用于10种待测物的结构推断。本方法可为卡西酮类毒品的结构鉴定和现场办案提供数据支持,有望成为打击卡西酮类毒品犯罪新的研判思路。     

原位衍生分析土壤中多种酸性有机农药残留

为克服土壤中酸性有机农药测定的预处理过程复杂、回收率低和二次污染严重等不足,建立了土壤中酸性有机农药原位衍生分析方法。将土壤样品、Na₄-EDTA和水混合均匀,待水分挥发后将样品转移至衍生瓶中,以五氟苄基溴为衍生试剂进行原位超声衍生;萃取液经净化后,采用负化学电离源(NCI)选择离子监测模式测定;同时讨论了络合萃取条件、衍生条件、净化条件、负化学源质谱条件及土壤TOC对样品分析的影响。结果表明：该方法在5~500 μg/L线性范围内,各组分响应峰面积与其相应浓度的线性相关系数r²大于0.998 0;空白基质中不同浓度的加标回收率在80%~110%之间（n=7）,相对标准偏差在8.2%~13%之间（n=7）。应用该方法对不同地域的实际土壤样品进行分析检测,检出了多数酸性有机农药。     

Time of flight mass spectrometry applied to the liquid chromatographic analysis of pesticides in water and food

Liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS) is an excellent technique to determine trace levels of polar and thermolabile pesticides and their degradation products in complex matrices. LC-MS can be equipped with several mass analyzers, each of which provides unique features capable to identify, quantify, and resolve ambiguities by selecting appropriate ionization and acquisition parameters. We discuss in this review the use of LC coupled to (quadrupole) time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-(Q)ToF-MS) to determine the presence of target and non-target pesticides in water and food. This technique is characterized by operating at a resolving power of 10,000 or more. Therefore, it gives accurate masses for both parent and fragment ions and enables the measurement of the elemental formula of a compound achieving compound identification. In addition, the combination of quadrupole-ToF permits tandem mass spectrometry, provides more structural information, and enhances selectivity. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview on the state of art and applicability of liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-ToF-MS), and liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QToF-MS) for the analysis of pesticides in environmental matrices and food. The performance of such techniques is depicted in terms of accurate mass measurement, fragmentation, and selectivity. The final section is devoted to describing the applicability of LC-(Q)ToF-MS to routine analysis of pesticides in food matrices, indicating those operational conditions and criteria used to screen, quantify, and identify target and "suspected" pesticides and their degradation products in water, fruits, and vegetables. The potential and future trends as well as limitations of LC-(Q)ToF-MS for pesticide monitoring are highlighted.     

有机化合物表面电离质谱技术

文章简述有机化合物表面电离质谱技术的发展和特性,介绍了三种电离类型:分子表面电离(MSI)、分解表面电离(DSI)和缔合表面电离(ASI),以及相对灵敏度与电子轰击电离灵敏度比较,离子流强度与样品分压、样品吸附时间、热发射表面温度的关系。讨论了含氮直链和环状有机化合物、碳氢化合物、含氧有机化合物和金属有机化合物表面电离质谱,列出了其中45种有机化合物的分子组成、电离能或出现电离能、强峰离子、相对灵敏度。     

铕浓缩同位素全蒸发-1012Ω高阻信号放大器的热电离质谱分析方法

浓缩同位素是校正质谱法、同位素稀释质谱法和双稀释剂法等同位素质谱分析技术的基础,其化学纯度及丰度量值的准确性直接影响着分析结果的准确性。但由于浓缩同位素中低丰度同位素的离子信号较难准确测量,且缺乏合适的标准物质校正,给高精准的同位素丰度分析带来挑战。本文建立了适用于微量铕浓缩同位素样品纯化的锌还原-萃取色层法,纯化后的151 Eu和153 Eu两种浓缩同位素纯度优于99.99%,有效消除了其他稀土元素杂质的干扰。通过采用1012Ω信号放大器的法拉第杯接收样品中的低丰度同位素离子信号,建立了铕浓缩同位素的全蒸发-热电离分析方法。两种浓缩同位素样品的主丰度测量结果分别为151 Eu 0.9683676(11)和153 Eu 0.9876851(21),测量重复性比1011Ω信号放大器的法拉第杯以及文献中校正质谱法的测量结果提高了3倍。     

Chemical characterization of polyol ester aviation lubricant residues

This study was conducted to evaluate the potential of pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass spectrometry in the electron impact and the chemical ionisation mode to characterize the chemical nature of solid deposits of polyol ester aviation lubricants generated in a laboratory test. Pyrolysis products can be unambiguously identified or plausibly derived using previous results on the structure of oligomeric aging products. Experience gained from model esters can easily transferred to fully formulated lubricants. The results are complemented by ¹³C‐NMR data and thermal analysis which elucidate the heterogeneity of the deposits. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analysis of pesticides in water by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric techniques

Pesticide residues continue to be the focus of many environmental studies, and the number of articles describing the development of more advanced, multiresidue analytical methodologies does not decline. The use of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry based on single quadrupole or ion trap analyzers is consolidated for this purpose. The implementation, in the near future, of more sophisticated mass analyzers, such as triple quadrupole and hybrid quadrupole-time-of-flight is anticipated for routine analysis. This article reviews the various works published so far in the literature for the determination of pesticides and transformation products (TPs) in water by means of liquid chromatography (LC) coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. It discusses the various ionization sources and analyzers used for this purpose, as well as the extraction procedures employed for previous sample preconcentration. Because of the widespread use of triple quadrupole analyzers for the generation of pesticides levels in water using tandem mass spectrometry, a table compiling the transitions monitored for ca. 70 compounds is also included.