Relative Rate and Product Studies of the Reactions of Atomic Chlorine with Tetrafluoroethylene, 1,2-Dichloro-1,2-difluoroethylene, 1,1-Dichloro-2,2-difluoroethylene, and Hexafluoro-1,3-butadiene in the Presence of Oxygen.

Rate coefficients k1-k3 have been measured for Cl atom reactions with CF2═CF2, CFCl═CFCl, and CCl2═CF2 relative to k4 for CF2═CF-CF═CF2 at 293 ± 2 K. k4 was remeasured relative to Cl + ethane. Cl was generated by UV photolysis of Cl2, and other species were monitored by FT-IR spectroscopy. The measurements yield k1 = (6.6 ± 1.0) × 10(-11), k2 = (6.5 ± 1.0) × 10(-11), and k3 = (7.1 ± 1.1) × 10(-11) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), respectively, and k4 = (8.0 ± 1.2) × 10(-11) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) is proposed. These results are discussed in the context of atmospheric chemistry. Subsequent chemistry in the presence of oxygen leads to oxygenated products that are identified via their IR spectra, and possible mechanisms are discussed. The yield of CF2O from C2F4 is 93 ± 7%. Dichlorofluoroacetyl fluoride (CCl2FCFO) was observed as a product from CFClCFCl, and chlorodifluoroacetyl chloride (CClF2CClO) was observed from CCl2CF2 oxidation. C4F6 led to 66 ± 5% CF2O and 38 ± 3% OCF2CFC(F)═O. Reaction enthalpies and enthalpy barriers computed via CBS-QB3 theory help rule out some unfavorable mechanistic steps.

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry method for selectively producing either singly or multiply charged molecular ions.

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry (MS) is noted for its ability to produce primarily singly charged ions. This is an attribute when using direct ionization for complex mixtures such as protein digests or synthetic polymers. However, the ability to produce multiply charged ions, as with electrospray ionization (ESI), has advantages such as extending the mass range on mass spectrometers with limited mass-to-charge (m/z) range and enhancing fragmentation for structural characterization. We designed and fabricated a novel field free transmission geometry atmopsheric pressure (AP) MALDI source mounted to a high-mass resolution Orbitrap Exactive mass spectrometer. We report the ability to produce at will either singly charged ions or highly charged ions using a MALDI process by simply changing the matrix or the matrix preparation conditions. Mass spectra with multiply charged ions very similar to those obtained with ESI of proteins such as cytochrome c and ubiquitin are obtained with low femtomole amounts applied to the MALDI target plate and for peptides such as angiotensin I and II with application of attomole amounts. Single scan acquisitions produce sufficient ion current even from proteins.

Laserspray ionization, a new atmospheric pressure MALDI method for producing highly charged gas-phase ions of peptides and proteins directly from solid solutions.

The first example of a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) process producing multiply charged mass spectra nearly identical to those observed with electrospray ionization (ESI) is presented. MALDI is noted for its ability to produce singly charged ions, but in the experiments described here multiply charged ions are produced by laser ablation of analyte incorporated into a common MALDI matrix, 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, using standard solvent-based sample preparation protocols. Laser ablation is known to produce matrix clusters in MALDI provided a threshold energy is achieved. We propose that these clusters (liquid droplets) are highly charged, and under conditions that produce sufficient matrix evaporation, ions are field-evaporated from the droplets similarly to ESI. Because of the multiple charging, advanced mass spectrometers with limited mass-to-charge range can be used for protein characterization. Thus, using an Orbitrap mass spectrometer, low femtomole quantities of proteins produce full-range mass spectra at 100,000 mass resolution with <5-ppm mass accuracy and with 1-s acquisition. Furthermore, the first example of protein fragmentation using electron transfer dissociation with MALDI is presented.

Automated solvent-free matrix deposition for tissue imaging by mass spectrometry.

The ability to analyze complex (macro) molecules is of fundamental importance for understanding chemical, physical, and biological processes. Complexity may arise from small differences in structure, large dynamic range, as well as a vast range in solubility or ionization, imposing daunting tasks in areas as different as lipidomics and proteomics. Here, we describe a rapid matrix application that permits the deposition of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) matrix solvent-free. This solvent-free one-step automatic matrix deposition is achieved through vigorous movements of beads pressing the matrix material through a metal mesh. The mesh (20 mum) produces homogeneous coverage of <12 microm crystals (DHB, CHCA matrixes) in 1 min, as determined by optical microscopy, permitting fast uniform coverage of analyte and possible high-spatial resolution surface analysis. Homogenous tissue coverage of <5 microm sized crystals is achieved using a 3 microm mesh. Solvent-free MALDI analysis on a time-of-flight (TOF) mass analyzer of mouse brain tissue homogenously covered with CHCA matrix subsequently provides a homogeneous response in ion signal intensity. Total solvent-free analysis (TSA) by mass spectrometry (MS) of tissue sections is carried out by applying the MALDI matrix solvent-free for subsequent ionization and gas phase separation for decongestion of complexity in the absence of any solvent using ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) followed by MS detection. Isobaric compositions were well-delineated using TSA by MS.