Premium
Gravitational sampling electrospray ionization mass spectrometry for real‐time reaction monitoring
Author(s) -
Hsu FuJen,
Liu TeLin,
Laskar Amzad Hussain,
Shiea Jentaie,
Huang MinZong
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
rapid communications in mass spectrometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.528
H-Index - 136
eISSN - 1097-0231
pISSN - 0951-4198
DOI - 10.1002/rcm.6989
Subject(s) - chemistry , electrospray ionization , mass spectrometry , analyte , analytical chemistry (journal) , chromatography , chemical ionization , electrospray , selected reaction monitoring , chelation , extractive electrospray ionization , capillary action , ionization , sample preparation in mass spectrometry , tandem mass spectrometry , ion , inorganic chemistry , organic chemistry , materials science , composite material
RATIONALE The elucidation of chemical reaction mechanisms has attracted tremendous interest in recent years. Here, gravitational sampling electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (GS‐ESI‐MS) is used to explore a simple method for the real‐time monitoring of chemical and biochemical reactions. METHODS A sample solution in a stainless steel sample well is directly delivered through a fused‐silica capillary due to the forces of gravity, capillary action, and electroosmotic flow (EOF). Analyte ions are continuously generated via electrospray ionization from the capillary tip when a high voltage is applied on the sample well. RESULTS Liquid solutions (<5 μL) of small organic compounds (e.g., crystal violet) and large biomolecules (e.g., reserpine, angiotensin II, and insulin) were directly analyzed via GS‐ESI‐MS. In addition, the technique was successfully applied to continuously monitor chemical [e.g. chelation of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) with copper(II), and addition‐elimination of aminophenol and acetic anhydride] and biochemical (e.g., unfolding of cytochrome c) reactions in real time, where chelation complexes, reaction intermediates, and protein conformation changes were observed. CONCLUSIONS GS‐ESI‐MS is a very simple modification of the ESI technique that does not require sample delivery pumps or nebulizer gases. It is particularly suitable for the analysis of liquid samples and the real‐time monitoring of inorganic/organic chemical or biochemical reactions. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.