Use of ion mobility mass spectrometry and a collision cross-section algorithm to study an organometallic ruthenium anticancer complex and its adducts with a DNA oligonucleotide.

We report the development of an enhanced algorithm for the calculation of collision cross-sections in combination with Travelling-Wave ion mobility mass spectrometry technology and its optimisation and evaluation through the analysis of an organoruthenium anticancer complex [(eta6-biphenyl)Ru(II)(en)Cl]+. Excellent agreement was obtained between the experimentally determined and theoretically determined collision cross-sections of the complex and its major product ion formed via collision-induced dissociation. Collision cross-sections were also experimentally determined for adducts of this ruthenium complex with the single-stranded oligonucleotide hexamer d(CACGTG). Ion mobility tandem mass spectrometry measurements have allowed the binding sites for ruthenium on the oligonucleotide to be determined. Copyright 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.