Applications of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry to neutral organic molecules including fullerenes

Abstract

The use of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI/MS) for the detection of neutral organic molecules becomes possible by their derivation with specific ESI/MS tagging reagents that have either proton or metal ion binding sites. We used the neutral crown ether group in several reagents to attach a metal binding site to substrate molecules. Application of this method to steroids, amino acids, vitamin D, fatty acids, and fullerenes is described. Besides characterization, tagged molecules can be used for studying organic reactions by ESI/MS. This work demonstrates that ESI/MS provides a unique window on fullerene solution chemistry. ESI/MS is not only an excellent tool for the analysis of biopolymers but is also useful for studying the organic chemistry of small neutral molecules.

Electron capture atmospheric pressure photoionization mass spectrometry: analysis of fullerenes, perfluorinated compounds, and pentafluorobenzyl derivatives

“…Initially, the addition of either an oxidizing or a reducing reagent in solution was used to pre-ionize fullerenes. [20][21][22][23][24][25] Later, direct ESI of fullerenes from solution without any additives became successful. [25][26][27][28][29][30][31] However, an electrolytic ionization process was postulated, with some indication that the effect could be instrument dependent.…”

Unravelling seemingly complex chemistry of reactions using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

“…C 60 can be reduced at a relatively positive potential to its radical anion) ESI mass spectra using toluene, benzene or their equimolar binary solution with methanol or acetonitrile. 194,195 However, direct observation of cationic species was not trivial. Thus, several tagging reagents were developed in order to enhance the ionization of carbon clusters during the ESI process.…”

“…[194][195][196][197][198] Fullerenes readily yielded negative ion (e.g. C 60 can be reduced at a relatively positive potential to its radical anion) ESI mass spectra using toluene, benzene or their equimolar binary solution with methanol or acetonitrile.…”

Electrospray ionization of neutral metal dithiocarbamate complexes using in-source oxidation

“…1,2 Examples include the analysis of Fe(II), Ru(II) and Os(II) metallocenes, 3 Mg(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) octaethylporphyrins, 4 copper bipyridyl complexes, 5 sodium and potassium crown ethers, 6 (L-L) Cu(I)(PPh 3 )…”