LC-MS for radiochemistry and chemistry characterization

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This proposal is to acquire a liquid chromatography - mass spectrometer (LC-MS) for analysis of radioactive and nonradioactive samples at TRIUMF. Currently, there is no MS or Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) instrument for direct chemical characterization at TRIUMF. MS is an essential technique for compound identification and reaction monitoring. For radioactive compounds, the conventional practice for their identification is still solely based on chromatographic (radio-TLC and HPLC) analysis, despite modern chemistry long requiring multiple direct characterizations. The reliance on chromatographic information becomes more precarious when working with radionuclides with low gamma emissions that are hard to detect. Furthermore, tracking the chromatograms of radioactive products is complicated if multiple daughter ions are present in the decay chain, such as with 225Ac or 227Th. Hence, there is a rising trend to obtain more thorough characterization of radioactive compounds. To keep pace with the increasing scientific standards, TRIUMF would hugely benefit from having an LC-MS, giving us a much-needed tool to identify or confirm the composition of our compounds. The LC-MS instrument would be frequently used by the researchers at TRIUMF. In addition to radioactive compounds, its use would involve nonradioactive samples, enabling us to fast-track the synthesis of new chelators and bioconjugates. Having an LC-MS instrument on-site, the productivity of our students involved in synthetic projects would be greatly enhanced, helping them with their thesis projects. Our HQPs would also benefit by having a highly marketable skill with hands-on LC-MS experience. Several NSERC funded programs will be supported, including four DG programs centered on chelator and bioconjugate development for unconventional radionuclides. There is no LC-MS instrument setup to run radioactive compounds by our university partners and there is no other financially feasible alternative. Thus, our LC-MS instrument will be shared among researchers within TRIUMF and from 21 member universities and other collaborators, providing a unique platform for spectrometric analysis of radioactive compounds and helping us understand the fundamental chemistry of some radionuclides that hard to characterize by conventional methods. The instrument required is either a mass detector from Agilent that can be connected to our existing LC, or a stand-alone LC-MS system from Waters. The Agilent system is preferred due to higher sensitivity and larger mass range. TRIUMF has extensive experience setting up instruments that need nuclear ventilation. A dedicated instrument technician will maintain the instrument and provide hands-on training. In short, the equipment will raise the standard for radioactive compound characterization, generate more scientifically sound results, deepen our knowledge of radioactive compounds, support several NSERC funded programs, and deliver well-rounded HQP training.