Are the anions MeO(CO)n- (n = 1 and 2) methoxide anion donors in the gas phase? A theoretical investigation.

1. The anions CH(3)O-(-)CO and CH(3)OCO-(-)CO are both methoxide anion donors. The processes CH(3)O-(-)CO --> CH(3)O(-) + CO and CH(3)OCO-CO --> CH(3)O(-) + 2CO have DeltaG values of +8 and -68 kJ mol(-1), respectively, at the CCSD(T)/6-311++G(2d, 2p)//B3LYP/6-311++G(2d,2p) level of theory.

Diagnostic fragmentations of adducts formed between carbanions and carbon disulfide in the gas phase. A joint experimental and theoretical study.

Selected carbanions react with carbon disulfide in a modified LCQ ion trap mass spectrometer to form adducts, which when collisionally activated, decompose by processes which in some cases identify the structures of the original carbanions. For example (i) C(6)H(5)(-) + CS(2)--> C(6)H(5)CS(2)(-)--> C(6)H(5)S(-) + CS, occurs through a 3-membered ring ipso transition state, and (ii) the reaction between C(6)H(5)CH(2)(-) and CS(2) gives an adduct which loses H(2)S, whereas the adduct(s) formed between o-CH(3)C(6)H(5)(-) and CS(2) loses H(2)S and CS. Finally, it is shown that decarboxylation of C(6)H(5)CH(2)CH(2)CO(2)(-) produces the beta-phenylethyl anion (PhCH(2)CH(2)(-)), and that this thermalized anion reacts with CS(2) to form C(6)H(5)CH(2)CH(2)CS(2)(-) which when energized fragments specifically by the process C(6)H(5)CH(2)CH(2)CS(2)(-)--> C(6)H(5)CH(2)(-)CHC(S)SH --> [(C(6)H(5)CH(2)CH[double bond, length as m-dash]C[double bond, length as m-dash]S) (-)SH] --> C(6)H(5)CH(2)CCS(-) + H(2)S.

Anions [N(CH2)3]- and [ON(CH2)2]- are stable in the gas phase, but can they be charge stripped to form the radicals N(CH2)3 and ON(CH2)2? A joint experimental and theoretical study.

Collision-induced activation of deprotonated trimethylamine N-oxide yields the two anions [N(CH(2))(3)](-) and [ON(CH(2))(2)](-) following losses of H(2)O and CH(4), respectively. These two anions decompose by minor losses of H(*) and H(2) when collisionally activated: no other fragmentations are noted. Calculations at the CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVDZ//B3LYP/6-31+G(d) level of theory indicate that these trigonal anions are stable, and should not rearrange following collisional activation.

A theoretical study of the cyclization processes of energized CCCSi and CCCP.

Calculations at the CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVDZ//B3LYP/6-31+G(d) level of theory have shown that cyclization of both the ground state triplet and the corresponding singlet state of CCCSi may rearrange to give cyclic isomers which upon ring opening may reform linear C(3)Si isomers in which the carbon atoms are scrambled. The cyclization processes are energetically favorable with barriers to the transition states from 13 to 16 kcal mol(-1). This should be contrasted with the analogous process of triplet CCCC to triplet rhombic C(4), which requires an excess energy of 25.

Characteristic negative ion fragmentations of deprotonated peptides containing post-translational modifications: mono-phosphorylated Ser, Thr and Tyr. A joint experimental and theoretical study.

Peptides and proteins may contain post-translationally modified phosphorylated amino acid residues, in particular phosphorylated serine (pSer), threonine (pThr) and tyrosine (pTyr). Following earlier work by Lehmann et al., the [M-H]- anions of peptides containing pSer and pThr functionality show loss of the elements of H3PO4.

The fallaxidin peptides from the skin secretion of the Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog Litoria fallax. Sequence determination by positive and negative ion electrospray mass spectrometry: antimicrobial activity and cDNA cloning of the fallaxidins.

The glandular skin secretion of the Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog Litoria fallax contains nine peptides named fallaxidins. The sequences of these peptides were elucidated using a combination of positive and negative electrospray mass spectrometry together with Edman sequencing. Among these peptides are: (i) fallaxidins 1.