Stereochemical preferences in 4-center syn-eliminations from gaseous ions.

Concerted unimolecular eliminations from ionized sec-alkyl aryl ethers (ROAr (+*)) display a preference for producing double bonds with trans geometry. This preference can be assessed quantitatively, provided that a regioselective variant can be found. Expulsion of neutral alkenes via syn-elimination to give ionized ArOH does not exhibit a pronounced preference with regard to the direction of elimination.

Mass spectrometric differentiation of linear peptides composed of L-amino acids from isomers containing one D-amino acid residue.

MS/MS of electrosprayed ions is shown to have the capacity to discriminate between peptides that differ by configuration about their alpha-carbons. It is not necessary for the peptides to possess tertiary structures that are affected by stereochemistry, since five epimers of the pentapeptide, H2N-Gly-Leu-Ser-Phe-Ala-OH (GLSFA) all display different collisionally activated dissociation (CAD) patterns of their protonated parent ions. The figure of merit, r, is a ratio of ratios of fragment ion abundances between stereoisomers, where r = 1 corresponds to no stereochemical effect.

Decomposition of protonated threonine, its stereoisomers, and its homologues in the gas phase: evidence for internal backside displacement.

Protonated threonine and its allo diastereomer exhibit different proportions of collisionally activated dissociation (CAD) product ions. N-Methylation attenuates these differences. Water loss from protonated allo-threonine gives protonated trans-3-methylaziridinecarboxylic acid via an internal S(N)2 pathway, rather than protonated vinylglycine.

Inhibition of human liver microsomal (S)-nicotine oxidation by (-)-menthol and analogues.

(-)-Menthol is a widely used flavoring ingredient present in mouthwash, foods, toothpaste, and cigarettes; yet, the pharmacological effects of menthol have not been widely studied. Mentholated cigarette smoking may increase the risk for lung cancer. Many African American smokers smoke mentholated cigarettes, and African Americans have a significantly higher incidence of lung cancer as compared with whites.