Pinpointing double bonds in lipids by Paternò-Büchi reactions and mass spectrometry.

The positions of double bonds in lipids play critical roles in their biochemical and biophysical properties. In this study, by coupling Paternò-Büchi (P-B) reaction with tandem mass spectrometry, we developed a novel method that can achieve confident, fast, and sensitive determination of double bond locations within various types of lipids. The P-B reaction is facilitated by UV irradiation of a nanoelectrospray plume entraining lipids and acetone. Tandem mass spectrometry of the on-line reaction products via collision activation leads to the rupture of oxetane rings and the formation of diagnostic ions specific to the double bond location.