Open Access

Ergot alkaloids (EAs) formed by Claviceps fungi are one of the most common food contaminants worldwide, affecting cereals such as rye, wheat, and barley. To accurately determine the level of contamination and to monitor EAs maximum levels set by the European Union, the six most common EAs (so-called priority EAs) and their corresponding epimers are quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). The quantification of EAs in complex food matrices without appropriate internal tandards is challenging but currently carried out in the standard method EN 7425:2021 due to their commercial unavailability. To address the need for isotopically labeled EAs, we focus on two semi-synthetic approaches for the synthesis of these reference standards. Therefore, we investigate the feasibility of the N6-demethylation of native ergotamine to yield norergotamine, which can subsequently be remethylated with an isotopically labeled methylating reagent, such as iodomethane (13CD3-I), to yield isotopically labeled ergotamine and its C8-epimer ergotaminine. Testing the isotopically labeled ergotamine/-inine against native ergotamine/-inine with HPLC coupled to high-resolution HR-MS/MS proved the structure of ergotamine-13CD3 and ergotaminine-13CD3. Thus, for the first time, we can describe their synthesis from unlabeled, native ergotamine. Furthermore, this approach is promising as a universal way to synthesize other isotopically labeled EAs.

Ergot alkaloids are a group of toxic compounds, formed by fungi on infested grasses. In 2022, the European Commission set into effect maximum levels for the sum of the twelve major ergot alkaloids in multiple foods. To facilitate the laborious and costly individual quantification of the twelve major ergot alkaloids by HPLC–MS/MS or -FLD, we recently reported a sum parameter method (SPM) for ergot alkaloid quantification. Here, derivatization to lysergic acid hydrazide—a derivative of the mutual ergoline backbone in all ergot alkaloids—allowed simplified determination of all ergot alkaloids in flour via HPLC-FLD. For the measurement of more complex matrices like processed foods, we now developed a MS/MS-based SPM. Two internal standards (IS), isotopically labelled at different positions of the molecule, were synthesized and employed in the MS/MS-measurements. Method performance using either the 13CD3-labelled or the 15N2-labelled IS was evaluated on naturally contaminated rye and wheat flour samples as well as on processed food matrices. Employing the 13CD3-labelled IS leads to lower variances and better consistency with the reference data (obtained by the FLD-based SPM) in flour samples compared to the 15N2-labelled IS. The novel method significantly improves the measurement of ergot alkaloids in complex food matrices, due to their increased selectivity and thus lower interferences. Furthermore, the application of isotope labelled IS obviates the need for time-consuming steps like the determination of recovery rate based, matrix specific correction factors as described in the MS/MS-based European standard method for ergot alkaloid quantification (EN 17425).

AbstractFluorinated organic compounds (FOCs) represent a class of synthetic chemicals distinguished by their resilient carbon–fluorine bonds, which demonstrate an ability to withstand environmental degradation over an extended period. The integration of FOCs into cutting-edge applications, including lithium-ion batteries (LiBs), presents considerable potential for environmental harm that has not yet been sufficiently addressed. This study focuses on the environmental fate of two fluorinated aromatics, tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane (TPFPB) and tris(pentafluorophenyl)phosphine (TPFPP), given their important role in improving the performance of LiBs. To achieve this, laboratory simulation methods including total oxidizable precursor assay, electrochemistry (EC), Fenton reaction, UV-C irradiation, and hydrolysis were employed. Liquid chromatography and gas chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry were used for identification of transformation products (TPs) and prediction of their molecular formulae. Despite the structural similarity between TPFPB and TPFPP, distinct differences in electrochemical behavior and degradation pathways were observed. TPFPB readily underwent hydroxylation and hydrolysis, resulting in a wide range of 49 TPs. A total of 28 TPs were newly identified, including oligomers and highly toxic dioxins. In contrast, TPFPP degraded exclusively under harsh conditions, requiring the development of innovative conditioning protocols for EC. In total, the simulation experiments yielded nine structurally different compounds, including seven previously undescribed, partially defluorinated TPs. This study highlights the potential risks associated with the use of FOCs in LiBs and provides insight into the complex environmental behavior of FOCs.

In this study, 77 end-of-life (EOL) commercial lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) of different formats were systematically analyzed to investigate electrolyte degradation mechanisms and the influence of pristine electrolyte composition on aging. Comprehensive chemical characterization employed targeted and non-targeted mass spectrometry (MS), combining liquid and gas chromatography (LC-MS/MS, GC-MS) with high-resolution MS (HRMS). This approach identified confirmed pristine components and complex degradation products. Commercial rechargeable pouch and cylindrical cells often deviated from conventional research model systems, using mixed lithium salt anions, ionic liquids (ILs), and high concentrations of triflates, triflimides, and bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (FSI), functioning as solvents, salts, or additives. Specific IL degradation products and previously unreported pathways were proposed. A novel series of oligomerization products from propylene carbonate (PC) was also identified. In contrast, non-rechargeable coin cells showed prevalent use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in their original electrolytes. Distinct PFAS degradation mechanisms were proposed for the first time. The absence of carbonate oligomers and lithium salt-derived products in coin cells, alongside standard carbonates, suggests lithium counterion coordination critically influences Lewis acid-catalyzed degradation. These findings provide new insight into real-world LIB aging, highlighting differences between commercial devices and model systems.

This study presents a systematic, characterization of electrolytes from commercial lithium-ion batteries (LIB), encompassing 90 batteries from leading global manufacturers across diverse formats and application sectors. An integrated, complementary mass spectrometric workflow combining LC–MS/MS, GC–MS, and high-resolution MS was employed. To ensure robust structural annotation, molecular identifications were assigned confidence levels following Schymanski et al. (2014). Across all formats, PF6− was confirmed as the dominant Li+ counterion, frequently coexisting with BF4−, PO2F2−, and bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (FSI−), forming binary and ternary salt systems optimized for both conductivity and safety. Solvent systems revealed the widespread use of propylene carbonate (PC) combined with diverse carbonate mixtures, demonstrating trends in performance optimization specific to cell format. A variety of additives were identified, reflecting a clear shift towards multifunctional, synergistic additive packages and the gradual replacement of fluorinated species with environmentally safer alternatives. Cycling studies demonstrated that electrolyte degradation mechanisms are strongly influenced by electrode composition and additive chemistry, with oxidative degradation pathways dominating. Together, these findings provide rare empirical insight into the evolving formulation strategies of electrolytes in commercial LIB, still employing classic carbonates and LiPF6, but highlighting a trend toward safer, more robust, and sustainable electrolyte architectures by using synergistic multifunctional systems.