In this study, the direct analysis of doping agents in urine samples with no sample preparation by a modified paper spray mass spectrometry (PS-MS) methodology has been demonstrated for the first time. We have described a paper surface treatment with trichloromethylsilane using a gas-phase reaction to increase the ionization of target compounds. This approach was applied for the analysis of two classes of banned substances in urine samples: anabolic agents (trenbolone and clenbuterol) and diuretics (furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide). Under optimized conditions, the developed methods presented satisfactory repeatability, and an analysis of variance showed linearity without lack-of-fit. Highly sensitive detections as low as sub-nanogram per milliliter levels, which is below the minimum required performance levels proposed by the World Anti-Doping Agency, have been reached using the hydrophobic PS-MS analysis without any preconcentration and cleanup step.

Monoacylation of symmetrical diamine is achieved when the primary α,ω-diamines (carbon numbers n = 3, 5 and 12) are diluted in ethyl acetate, and the resultant mixture is electrosprayed across a 10 mm distance in ambient air toward a mass spectrometer. The N-acylated product is formed in charged microdroplets without acidifying and activating agents and in the absence of heat. This result provided an insight into the orientation of the amines in the droplets, suggesting that the ester is activated to react with the amine at the droplet surface due to the high abundance of protons at the air−droplet interface.