Synthesis and properties of metal trifluoride complexes with amide-functionalised tacn macrocycles and radiofluorination of [GaF(L1)] by F/F isotopic exchange.

Three amide-functionalised tacn macrocyclic derivatives (tacn = 1,4,7-triazacyclononane) are reported, two tris-amide derivatives, L1 containing three -CHC(O)NHPh pendant arms, L2 containing three -CHCHC(O)NHPr pendant arms, and one -amide, L3, containing Pr groups on two of the tacn amine functions and a single -CHC(O)NHPh function on the third. The reactions of these new ligands towards [MF(dmso)(OH)] (M = Al, Ga) and towards FeF·3HO in alcoholic solution afford the complexes [MF(L)] (L = L1-L3) in good yields as powdered solids. These complexes are characterised by IR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy (diamagnetic species only) and mass spectrometry.

Dispersity determination of poly(ethylene glycol)s using supercritical fluid chromatography-mass spectrometry and different mass analysers.

Rationale: Dispersity values are considered critical quality attributes for the quality control of poly(ethylene glycol) formulations due to the direct impact on drug performance. However, when these polymers are analysed using mass spectrometry, the design of the mass analyser can impact the oligomer response and affect the obtained dispersity values, so further understanding is needed.

Methods: The deconvoluted electrospray ionisation mass spectra of poly(ethylene glycol)s obtained using supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) hyphenated to different mass analysers were compared, and visualisation diagrams were used to understand the differences in the dispersity value calculations.

Development of Simplified and Efficient Sample Preparation Methods for the Analysis of Problem Material within the Diesel Fuel Delivery System.

A new approach for the analysis of diesel engine fuel filters has been developed. This method involves minimal to no sample preparation, allowing rapid and unbiased analysis of diesel fuel filters. In recent years, diesel fuel filter plugging incidences have increased in parallel with changing emissions legislation.

Structure-Reactivity Studies of 2-Sulfonylpyrimidines Allow Selective Protein Arylation.

Protein arylation has attracted much attention for developing new classes of bioconjugates with improved properties. Here, we have evaluated 2-sulfonylpyrimidines as covalent warheads for the mild, chemoselective, and metal free cysteine -arylation. 2-Sulfonylpyrimidines react rapidly with cysteine, resulting in stable -heteroarylated adducts at neutral pH.

Controlling the positive ion electrospray ionization of poly(ethylene glycols) when using ultra-high-performance supercritical fluid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Poly(ethylene glycols) are complex polymers often added to pharmaceutical formulations to improve drug solubility and delivery. One of the main challenges when using chromatographic techniques coupled to mass spectrometry is the unselective ionization of poly(ethylene glycols) oligomers. Additionally, when the chain length is large enough, multiple charged species are formed, further complicating the mass spectra and processing.

First total synthesis of type II abyssomicins: (±)-abyssomicin 2 and (±)-neoabyssomicin B.

The intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction (IMDA) of a butenolide derivative, as an entry to the type II abyssomicin scaffold, and the total synthesis of (±)-abyssomicin 2 and (±)-neoabyssomicin B are reported for the first time. A facile route to the IMDA precursor, the formation of a type I intermediate and two paths to (±)-neoabyssomicin B are also discussed.

Structural Diversity in Divalent Group 14 Triflate Complexes Involving Endocyclic Thia-Macrocyclic Coordination.

A highly unusual series of M(II) (M = Ge, Sn, Pb) complexes with endocyclic thioether macrocyclic coordination and with coordination numbers ranging from three to nine have been prepared by the reaction of [9]aneS (1,4,7-trithiacyclononane), [12]aneS (1,4,7,10-tetrathiacyclododecane), or [24]aneS (1,4,7,10,13,16,19,22-octathiacyclotetracosane) with M(OTf) (M = Sn and Pb; OTf = CFSO) or with GeCl·dioxane and 2 mol equiv of TMSOTf (MeSiOSCF) in a mixture of anhydrous CHCl and MeCN. The isolated bulk products are characterized by H, C{H}, F{H}, and Sn{H} NMR and IR spectroscopy, high-resolution ESI MS, and microanalytical data. Crystal structures are also reported for [M(L)][OTf] (M = Ge, Sn, Pb; L = [9]aneS, [12]aneS) and for [M([24]aneS)][OTf] (M = Sn, Pb).

Development of ultra-high-performance supercritical fluid chromatography-mass spectrometry assays to analyze potential biomarkers in sweat.

Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry methods were required to afford the rapid separation and detection of purines and small organic acids. These compounds are found in sweat and sebum and are potential biomarkers for the early detection of pressures sores. Two ultra-high-performance supercritical fluid chromatography-mass spectrometry assays have been successfully developed for both classes of compounds.

Synthesis of Ar@C using molecular surgery.

Synthesis of Ar@C60 is described, using a route in which high-pressure argon filling of an open-fullerene and photochemical desulfinylation are the key steps for >95% encapsulation of the noble gas. Enrichment by recycling HPLC leads to quantitative incorporation of argon in the product endofullerene, with a mass recovery of tens of milligrams, allowing the first characterisation of fine structure in the solution 13C NMR spectrum.

Quantitative UHPSFC-MS analysis of elemental sulfur in mineral oil via derivatisation with triphenylphosphine: application to corrosive sulfur-related power transformer failure.

An ultrahigh-performance supercritical fluid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPSFC-MS) method has been developed as a rapid and reliable analytical method for the detection and quantification of elemental sulfur in mineral transformer oil. The method described in this paper is based on the selective reaction of elemental sulfur with triphenylphosphine (TPP). The derivatisation of elemental sulfur requires minimal sample preparation and resulted in the formation of a single compound, namely triphenylphosphine sulfide (TPPS).

Development of ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry and ultrahigh-performance supercritical fluid chromatography/mass spectrometry assays to determine the concentration of Bitrex™ and sodium saccharin in homemade facemask fit testing solutions.

Unlabelled: Fast and easily transferable chromatography/mass spectrometry assays were required to detect and quantify the amount of Bitrex™ and sodium saccharin in homemade facemask fit testing solutions.

Methods: Bitrex™ solutions were analysed using reversed-phase ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with positive ion electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (UHPLC/ESI-MS). Separation was achieved using a mobile phase gradient with an Acquity BEH C18-packed column.

First Synthesis and Characterization of CH @C.

The endohedral fullerene CH @C , in which each C fullerene cage encapsulates a single methane molecule, has been synthesized for the first time. Methane is the first organic molecule, as well as the largest, to have been encapsulated in C to date. The key orifice contraction step, a photochemical desulfinylation of an open fullerene, was completed, even though it is inhibited by the endohedral molecule.

Open Access UHPSFC/MS - an additional analytical resource for an academic mass spectrometry facility.

Rationale: Many compounds submitted for analysis in Chemistry at the University of Southampton do not retain, elute or ionize using open access reversed-phase ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (RP-UHPLC/MS) and require analysis via infusion. An ultra-high-performance supercritical fluid chromatography mass spectrometry approach was implemented to afford high-throughput analysis of these compounds with chromatographic separation.

Methods: A UPC(2) -TQD MS system has been incorporated into the open access MS provision within Chemistry at the University of Southampton, using an ESCi source (electrospray and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization) and an atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) source.

Self-reporting hybridisation assay for miRNA analysis.

Hybridisation assays, which are commonly used to analyse oligonucleotides such as siRNAs and miRNAs, often employ detection probes with fluorescent tags. The signal emitted by a fluorescent tag covers a broad range of wavelengths and this limits the multiplexing potential due to overlapping signals. A novel method of indirect oligonucleotide analysis has been developed which combines a hybridisation assay with cleavable small molecule mass tags using HPLC-ESI MS detection.

Acylthioureas as anion transporters: the effect of intramolecular hydrogen bonding.

Small molecule synthetic anion transporters may have potential application as therapeutic agents for the treatment of diseases including cystic fibrosis and cancer. Understanding the factors that can dictate the anion transport activity of such transporters is a crucial step towards their application in biological systems. In this study a series of acylthiourea anion transporters were synthesised and their anion binding and transport properties in POPC bilayers have been investigated.

A predictive science approach to aid understanding of electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometric fragmentation pathways of small molecules using density functional calculations.

Rationale: Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) dissociation pathways can vary markedly between compound classes and can result in challenging and time-consuming interpretation of the data. Compound, class and substructure specific fragmentation rules for protonated molecules require refinement to aid the structural elucidation process.

Methods: The application of a predictive science approach using density functional theory (DFT) calculations has been investigated to estimate the abundances of first-generation product ions observed using an ion trap mass spectrometer.

Small neutral molecular carriers for selective carboxylate transport.

A series of neutral thiourea receptors were found to mediate the antiport of chloride with a range of biologically relevant carboxylate anions across phospholipid bilayers. Simple structural modification of the carriers resulted in a change in the lactate/pyruvate transport selectivity.

Self reporting RNA probes as an alternative to cleavable small molecule mass tags.

The large size of biological molecules such as proteins and oligonucleotides makes them inherently problematic to analyse and quantify directly by mass spectrometry. For these molecules, electrospray ionisation produces multiply charged species and associated alkali metal adducts which can reduce sensitivity and complicate quantification. Whereas time-of-flight mass analysers, often coupled to matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation, can have insufficient mass resolution to resolve these large molecules in the higher m/z range.

Dietary Phytosterols Protective Against Peptic Ulceration.

Background: In developing countries the prevalence of duodenal ulceration is related to the staple diet and not to the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori. Experiments using animal peptic ulcer models show that the lipid fraction in foods from the staple diets of low prevalence areas gives protection against ulceration, including ulceration due to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and also promotes healing of ulceration. The lipid from the pulse Dolichos biflorus (Horse gram) was highly active and used for further investigations.

Total synthesis and stereochemical assignment of cis-uvariamicin I and cis-reticulatacin.

Diastereoisomeric mixtures of cis-uvariamicin I (15R,16R,19S,20S,36S and 15S,16S,19R,20R,36S) and cis-reticulatacin (17R,18R,21S,22S,36S and 17S,18S,21R,22R,36S) were synthesized to determine the stereochemistry of the natural products isolated from Annona muricata. It was not possible to resolve a mixture of the four synthetic isomers using chiral HPLC, but the mixed isomers could be distinguished using chiral HPLC EIMS with extracted fragment ion analysis. Comparison of synthetic standards with the natural isolate revealed that cis-uvariamicin I and cis-reticulatacin are present in nature as mixtures of threo-cis-threo diastereoisomers.

Towards a universal product ion mass spectral library - reproducibility of product ion spectra across eleven different mass spectrometers.

Product ion spectra produced by collision-induced dissociation (CID) in tandem mass spectrometry experiments can differ markedly between instruments. There have been a number of attempts to standardise the production of product ion spectra; however, a consensus on the most appropriate approach to the reproducible production of spectra has yet to be reached. We have previously reported the comparison of product ion spectra on a number of different types of instruments - a triple quadrupole, two ion traps and a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer (Bristow AWT, Webb KS, Lubben AT, Halket JM.

2B or not 2B, that is the question: further investigations into the use of pencil as a matrix for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation.

The effective use of pencil as a matrix for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation (MALDI) for the study of actinides has previously been demonstrated (Black et al., Rapid Commun. Mass Spectrom.

The use of pencil lead as a matrix and calibrant for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation.

Pencil lead is shown to be an effective matrix and calibrant in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation (MALDI) mass spectrometry. Various groups of analytes, including peptides, polymers and actinide metals, can be readily ionised using MALDI when deposited onto a pencil lead matrix. The matrix is seen to have advantages in sample preparation relating to its hydrophobic properties and almost complete suppression of the matrix during analysis.

Improved precision and accuracy for high-performance liquid chromatography/Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometric exact mass measurement of small molecules from the simultaneous and controlled introduction of internal calibrants via a second electrospray nebuliser.

The use of a second electrospray nebuliser has proved to be highly successful for exact mass measurement during high-performance liquid chromatography/Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (HPLC/FTICRMS). Much improved accuracy and precision of mass measurement were afforded by the introduction of the internal calibration solution, thus overcoming space charge issues due to the lack of control over relative ion abundances of the species eluting from the HPLC column. Further, issues of suppression of ionisation, observed when using a T-piece method, are addressed and this simple system has significant benefits over other more elaborate approaches providing data that compares very favourably with these other approaches.