Electrospray ionization mass spectrometer

溶液分子组成的表征一直是化学研究中的一个重大挑战。 在溶液中，由于物质的离子状态或质子化状态，分子组成可能比固相或气相复杂得多。 即使是溶液中单一物种的精确鉴定也可能需要许多技术才能提供95%的确定性答案。 在没有液相质谱的情况下，鉴定混合物中的每种组分，特别是鉴定可能由溶液中物质之间的化学络合产生的物质几乎是不可能的。 特别是最近的电喷雾离子化质谱技术已经彻底改变了溶液化学和生物化学。 本申请是为西安大略大学化学系的大量研究人员购买一台带有飞行时间（TOF）质量检测器的电喷雾电离（ESI）质谱仪（MS）的资金。 ESI质谱仪是探测化学反应和分子的最新强大工具。 该应用程序适用于质量范围为50 - 20，000 amu的仪器。 五个申请人和许多其他小组在不太频繁的基础上将使用这种宝贵的技术在一系列化学研究。 通过ESI-MS数据实现的先前重要研究包括（i）通过Baines'组表征第一Ge（II）络合物，（ii）通过Puddephatt'组确定最多14个Au原子的大环低聚物已经形成，（iii）通过Ragogna '组表征一类重要分子离子液体的组成，（iv）由科里根合成金属-硫属化物框架的纳米级组装体，以及（v）发现新的方法，通过时间和温度依赖性动力学数据测量金属如何与蛋白质结合，以及了解致病细菌金黄色葡萄球菌（MRSA）可以获得生存所需的铁。 这些不同的研究都指出了ESI-MS-TOF技术在化学和生物学研究中的显着和重要价值。

Characterization of the molecular composition of a solution has long been a significant challenge in chemical research. In solution, the molecular composition may be far more complicated than in the solid or gas phases because of the ionic status or protonation status of the species. Even the exact identification of a single species in solution may require many techniques to provide only a 95%-certainty answer. Identifying each of the components in a mixture, and especially, identifying species that may result from chemical complexation between species in solution is almost impossible without solution phase mass spectrometry. In particular, the recent technique of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry has revolutionized solution chemistry and biochemistry. This application is for funds to purchase an electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometer (MS) with a time of flight (TOF) mass detector for a large number of researchers in the department of chemistry at the University of Western Ontario. The ESI mass spectrometer is the most recent powerful tool for probing chemical reactions and molecules. The application is for an instrument with a mass range 50 - 20,000 amu. The five applicants and many other groups on a less frequent basis will use this invaluable technique in studies of a range of chemistries. Previous significant studies that were enabled by ESI-MS data include (i) characterization of the first Ge(II) complex by Baines' group, (ii) determination that macrocyclic oligomers of up to 14 Au atoms have formed by Puddephatt's group, (iii) characterization of the composition of an important class of molecules, ionic liquids, prepared by Ragogna's group, (iv) synthesis of nanoscopic assemblies of metal-chalcogenide frameworks by Corrigan, and (v) discovery of new methods to measure how metals bind to proteins through time- and temperature-dependent kinetic data and as well an understanding of the pathway that the pathogenic bacterium Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) can acquire the iron required for survival. Each of these diverse studies points to the remarkable and essential value of the ESI-MS-TOF technique in chemical and biological research.