Rapid on-plate and one-pot derivatization of carbonyl compounds for enhanced detection by reactive matrix LDI-TOF MS using the tailor-made reactive matrix, 4-dimethylamino-6-(4-methoxy-1-naphthyl)-1,3,5-triazine-2-hydrazine (DMNTH).
In this study, a very sensitive and economical high-throughput methodology has been developed for the analysis of small carbonyl compounds using rapid derivatization with 4-dimethylamino-6-(4-methoxy-1-naphthyl)-1,3,5-triazine-2-hydrazine (DMNTH), a derivatizing agent developed by the Karst group at the University of Münster. DMNTH is highly ionizable by the UV laser and reacts selectively and rapidly with carbonyl moieties. The resulting hydrazone is easily detectable by laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (LDI-TOF MS), eliminating the need for the matrix assisted variant (MALDI) and the associated issue of matrix optimization, which greatly simplifies the analysis. It has been demonstrated that a range of carbonyl compounds can be conveniently analyzed by this reactive matrix LDI-TOF MS (RM-LDI-TOF MS) procedure and that furfural DMNThydrazone (prior labeled and labeled in situ) can be used as an internal standard for semiquantitative analysis. Amounts as low as 0.5 ng ml(-1) of 4-methoxybenzaldehyde have been detected using a one-pot derivatization methodology. Rapid on-plate derivatization was also found to be a simple approach for fast and reliable screening of various analytes, although with slightly higher detection limits. To test its applicability in complex matrices, analysis of furfural spiked in beer has been demonstrated. This RM-LDI-TOF MS method shows considerable promise for the analysis of carbonyl compounds in water, particularly for disinfection by-products that result from reaction of natural organic matter with oxidative disinfectants.
Mugo
Samuel M
SM
Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, A1B 3X7, Canada.
Bottaro
Christina S
CS