Monitoring Synthetic Reactions Using an inert Atmospheric Solids Analysis Probe (iASAP)

Metal-based compounds have found utility in various fields such as clinical, energy, food safety and environmental to name a few. Creating the metal complex is the last step in a synthetic process, but it is critical to have the proper conditions for monitoring air-sensitive compounds to get the desire product and that side products are kept to a minimum to maximize yield.

In this application note, the inert atmospheric solid analysis probe (iASAP) and expression Compact Mass Spectrometer (CMS) was used to quickly sample and measure a modification of a published synthesis by Pfeiffer.

The research in this application note was presented at the 66th Annual Conference of the American Society of Mass Spectrometry (ASMS 2018)

Breath Selection Methods for Compact Mass Spectrometry Breath Analysis

Loughborough University, Translational Chemical Biology Research Group

Abstract

Compact mass spectrometry (CMS) is a versatile and transportable analytical instrument that has the potential to be used in clinical settings to quickly and non-invasively detect a wide range of relevant conditions from breath samples. The purpose of this study is to optimise data preprocessing protocols by three proposed methods of breath sampling, using the CMS. It also lays out a general framework for which data processing methods can be evaluated. Methods.This paper considers data from three previous studies, each using a different breath sampling method. These include a peppermint washout study using continuous breath sampling with a purified air source, an exercise study using continuous breath sampling with an ambient air source, and a single breath sampling study with an ambient air source. For each dataset, different breath selection (data preprocessing) methods were compared and benchmarked according to predictive performance on a validation set and quantitative reliability of m/z bin intensity measurements. Results. For both continuous methods, the best breath selection method improved the predictive model compared to no preselection, as measured by the 95% CI range for Youden’s index, from 0.68–0.86 to 0.86–0.97 for the exercise study and 0.69–0.82 to 1.00–1.00 for the peppermint study. The reliability of intensity measurements for both datasets (as measured by median relative standard deviation (RSD)), was improved slightly by the best selection method compared to no preselection, from 18% to 14% for the exercise study and 7%–5% for the peppermint study. For the single breath samples, all the models resulted in perfect prediction, with a 95% CI range for Youden’s index of 1.00–1.00. The reliability of the proposed method was 38%. Conclusion. The method of selecting exhaled breath from CMS data can affect the reliability of the measurement and the ability to distinguish between breath samples taken under different conditions. The application of appropriate data processing methods can improve the quality of the data and results obtained from CMS. The methods presented will enable untargeted analysis of breath VOCs using CMS to be performed.
Compact Mass Spectrometer (CMS).

Elucidation of the Structure of a Thiol Functionalized Cu-tmpa Complex Anchored to Gold via a Self-Assembled Monolayer

Leiden University, Eindhoven University of Technology

Abstract

The structure of the copper complex of the 6-((1-butanethiol)oxy)-tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine ligand (Cu-tmpa-O(CH2)4SH) anchored to a gold surface has been investigated. To enable covalent attachment of the complex to the gold surface, a heteromolecular self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of butanethiol and a thiol-substituted tmpa ligand was used…These results show that upon immobilization of Cu-tmpa-O(CH2)4SH, the resulting structure is not identical to the homogeneous CuII-tmpa complex. Upon anchoring, a novel CuI species is formed instead. This illustrates the importance of a thorough characterization of heterogenized molecular systems before drawing any conclusions regarding the structure–function relationships.

Medicinal Cannabis Products for Veterinary Medicine: Application of LC/CMS for the Analysis of Commercial Hemp Products

 In this application note, the Advion expression® Compact Mass Spectrometer (CMS) coupled with the Advion AVANT UHPLC (LC/CMS) was used to measure the concentration of cannabinoids from commercially available CBD oils for a comparative test against the product labels. 

The research in this application note was published in Cannabis Science & Technology Magazine May/June 2019 and presented at the 2019 Cannabis Science Conference East in Baltimore, MD. 

Monitoring, Modelling and Optimisation of Continuous Flow Reactions Using On-line Mass Spectrometry

Horbaczewskyj, Christopher Stefan (2019) Monitoring, Modelling and Optimisation of Continuous Flow Reactions Using On-line Mass Spectrometry. PhD thesis, University of Leeds.

Abstract

An on-line mass spectrometry method has been developed to monitor, model and optimise continuous flow reactions. This method makes use of dual-piston pumps, tubular reactor block, Vici sample actuator, an Advion expression Compact Mass Spectrometer (CMS) and other analytical systems to investigate a variety of chemical systems based on their need for process improvement. Full reaction automation employed MATLAB, the Snobfit algorithm, along with Modde DoE software. On-line mass spectrometry has advantages over other analytical techniques as it has shorter acquisition times (2-60 s), low chemical sensitivity (~108 mol%) and chemical identity as well as the potential to provide quantitative information. In this work, reaction quantitation has been explored using four chemical systems, where each of them was monitored by a variety of analytical techniques, with the overall aim being to examine if on-line mass spectrometry can be used for quantitative analysis. For all cases investigated, process improvements were made whilst also determining optimal operating conditions to improve conversions, yields or selectivities as well as looking at reaction waste reduction. Flow chemistry and the work conducted has shown how waste can be reduced for certain reactions when compared to more traditional approaches. This method relies on machine learning, full process automation and quick process analytical technology to determine optimum conditions as well as build large reaction data sets. Large data sets were created using a hybrid DoE-kinetic composite circumscribed orthogonal design. Mass spectrometry provided valuable reaction information and has the potential for reaction quantitation depending on the required application, reaction system and ionisation settings. Compound thermal stability can be problematic in APCI+ mode whilst ion suppression is problematic in ESI+ mode. Still a versatile analytical tool, on-line mass spectrometry was found to be inherently quantitative. The continuous-flow-on-line-MS-self-optimisation platform was used to investigate a variety of different reactions to show versatility of the MS system. These reactions are summarized below. 1) An N-Boc deprotection of AZD5634 for optimisation and process scale-up, with achieved conversions >95% and scale-up to pilot and commercial scale using on-line mass spectrometry). 2) An N-Boc deprotection reaction using a hybrid DoE-kinetic model for optimisation and large data set generation, with achieved conversion >90%. 3) An SNAr reaction of AZD4547 for product selectivity and yield improvement, with achieved conversion of ~38% and DP yield of ~30%. 4) The synthesis and optimisation of Fe-N-heterocyclic carbene complexes using an electrochemical method for use in a C-H hydroxylation reaction. Optimum electrochemical conditions of either 7 V and 4 minutes residence time, or 2.5 V and 15 minutes residence were achieved.

Peak Express® – Unique Mass Spectrometer Software to Look Beyond the Noise and Detect Minor Components and Impurities for the expression® CMS

Introducing a new way to analyze and present mass spectral data, the Advion Interchim Scientific® Peak Express® patented software uses the delta spectrum (ΔS) to quickly and automatically detect significant peaks within mass spectra based on their relative change in intensity over time instead of their absolute intensity.

  • Find impurities and minor components that would otherwise be missed
  • Find unknowns in complex samples such as natural products
  • Automatically find adducts, dimers, fragments, side reactions, and other unexpected compounds in real time and post processing
  • Control mass-directed purification without providing an exact mass
  • Get extracted ion chromatogram (XIC) quality data while scanning the entire mass range

An In Vivo (Gallus gallus) Feeding Trial Demonstrating the Enhanced Iron Bioavailability Properties of the Fast Cooking Manteca Yellow Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

USDA-ARS, Cornell University, Michigan State University

Abstract

The common dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a globally produced pulse crop and an important source of micronutrients for millions of people across Latin America and Africa. Many of the preferred black and red seed types in these regions have seed coat polyphenols that inhibit the absorption of iron. Yellow beans are distinct from other market classes because they accumulate the antioxidant kaempferol 3-glucoside in their seed coats. Due to their fast cooking tendencies, yellow beans are often marketed at premium prices in the same geographical regions where dietary iron deficiency is a major health concern. Hence, this study compared the iron bioavailability of three faster cooking yellow beans with contrasting seed coat colors from Africa (Manteca, Amarillo, and Njano) to slower cooking white and red kidney commercial varieties. Iron status and iron bioavailability was assessed by the capacity of a bean based diet to generate and maintain total body hemoglobin iron (Hb-Fe) during a 6 week in vivo (Gallus gallus) feeding trial. Over the course of the experiment, animals fed yellow bean diets had significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher Hb-Fe than animals fed the white or red kidney bean diet. This study shows that the Manteca yellow bean possess a rare combination of biochemical traits that result in faster cooking times and improved iron bioavailability. The Manteca yellow bean is worthy of germplasm enhancement to address iron deficiency in regions where beans are consumed as a dietary staple.

Analysis was performed by LC/MS using the Advion expression Compact Mass Spectrometer (CMS).

Compact Mass Spectrometry (CMS) for the Detection and Quantification of Chemical Compounds Related to Cannabis

The cannabinoid makeup of cannabis has significantly changed over the past few decades. Efforts to increase the psychotropic effects of cannabis have resulted in a THC content for current strains of the crop of 30 to 40 percent compared with only 5 percent 30 years ago. Up-regulating the THC content of the plant causes a loss of other cannabinoids the plant is producing. Some of these other cannabinoids, such as CBD, are believed to be responsible for its medical benefits.

Furthermore, no pesticides can currently legally be used during the production process. However, a recent test showed that two out of three samples of legal cannabis samples had pesticide residues above the legal limit for an edible. Once sample exceeded the limit by a factor of 1,600. Such a sample poses a consumer health risk and clearly shows the potential for illegal growing procedures or unclear product streams in the marketplace.

Additionally, cannabis contains more than 400 chemical compounds, 80 of which are unique to cannabis. This fact, plus the finding of cannabinoid receptors in human nerve, immune and brain cells explains why this product is such an interesting target for medicinal use.

This webinar examines three different workflows surrounding compact mass spectrometry as they apply to cannabis law enforcement, it’s natural product research, and product control.

Tools for the Cannabis Testing Lab

In this webinar, Advion’s Scientific Founder, Jack Henion, Ph.D., will discuss his research using a direct analysis probe coupled with the expression CMS to analyze chemical compounds in Cannabis.

During this webinar you will learn more about:

  • A simple, sensitive and selective ASAP sample introduction approach to measure the presence and relative quantitative composition of two isobaric compounds, CBDA and THCA, contained in a complex sample such as hemp or cannabis plants or their corresponding extraction products.
  • Measurement of differences in the relative composition of CBDA and THCA fragment ions originating from the same precursor ion.
  • Applicability to screening plant and plant product materials such as hemp or marijuana to monitor out-of-specification composition.This webinar was featured by Lab Manager’s Tech Trends webinar series, “Tools for the Cannabis Testing Lab.”

This webinar was hosted by Lab Manager and recorded 4/11/19.

Experiential Education: Mass Spectrometry Enters the Teaching Laboratory

Thanks to the diminishing size and cost of mass spectrometers, coupled with their increasing robustness and ease of use, universities are now starting to furnish their undergraduate chemistry laboratories with this advanced analytic tool.

“My favorite learning environment is the laboratory,” explains Paul A. Flowers, professor of analytical chemistry at University of North Carolina at Pembroke. “I like teaching students fundamentals through bona fide research experiences.” Flowers began using mass spectrometry in the teaching laboratory about six years ago and hasn’t looked back.

Learn more about the integration of mass spectrometry for teaching with this free whitepaper.