Fragmentation of protonated O,O-dimethyl O-aryl phosphorothionates in tandem mass spectral analysis

A study was carried out on the fragmentation of 12 protonated O,O-dimethyl O-aryl phosphorothionates by tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry. Some of the studied compounds are used in agriculture as pesticides. Energy-resolved and pressure-resolved experiments were performed on the [M + H]⁺ ions to investigate the dissociation behavior of the ions with various amounts of internal energy. On collisionally activated dissociation, the [M + H]⁺ ions decompose to yield the [M + H ? CH₃OH]⁺, (CH₃O)₂PS⁺ (m/z 125), and (CH₃O)₂PO⁺ (m/z 109) ions as major fragments. The ions [M + H ? CH₃OH]⁺ and (CH₃O)₂PS⁺ probably arise from the [M + H]⁺ ions of the O,O-dimethyl O-aryl phosphorothionates with the proton on the sulfur or on the oxygen of the phenoxy group. The origin of the hydroxy proton of the methanol fragment was in many cases, surprisingly, the phenyl group and not the reagent gas. This was confirmed by using deuterated isobutane, C₄D₁₀, as reagent gas in Cl. The fragment ions (CH₃O)₂PO⁺ and [ZPhS]⁺ are the results of thiono-thiolo rearrangement reaction. The precursor ion for the ion (CH₃O)₂PO⁺ arises from most compounds upon chemical ionization, whereas the precursor ion for the ion [ZPhS]⁺ arises only from a few compounds upon chemical ionization. The observed fragments imply that several sites carry the extra proton and that these sites get the proton usually upon ionization. The stability order and some characteristics of three protomers of O,O-dimethyl O-phenyl phosphorothionate were investigated by ab initio calculations at the RHF/3-21G* level of theory.     

Selective reagents in chemical ionization mass spectrometry: Tetramethylsilane with ethers

Chemical ionization mass spectra of several ethers obtained with He/(CH₃)₄Si mixtures as the reagent gases contain abundant [M + 73]⁺ adduct ions which identify the relative molecular mass. For the di-n-alkyl ethers, these [M + 73]⁺ ions are formed by sample ion/sample molecule reactions of the fragment ions, [M + 73 ? C_nH_2n]⁺ and [M + 73 ? 2CnH_2n]⁺. Small amounts of [M + H]⁺ ions are also formed, predominantly by proton transfer reactions of the [M + 73 ? 2CnH_2n]⁺ or [(CH₃)₃SiOH₂]⁺ ions with the ethers. The di-s-alkyl ethers give no [M + 73] ⁺ ions, but do give [M + H]⁺ ions, which allow the determination of the relative molecular mass. These [M + H]⁺ ions result primarily from proton transfer reactions from the dominant fragment ion, [(CH₃)₃SiOH₂]⁺ with the ether. Methyl phenyl ether gives only [M + 73]⁺ adduct ions, by a bimolecular addition of the trimethylsilyl ion to the ether, not by the two-step process found for the di-n-alkyl ethers. Ethyl phenyl ether gives [M + 73]⁺ by both the two-step process and the bimolecular addition. Although the mass spectra of the alkyl etherr are temperature-dependent, the sensitivities of the di-alkyl ethers and ethyl phenyl ether are independent of temperature. However, the sensitivity for methyl phenyl ether decreases significantly with increasing temperature.     

A study of some cations formed in the ammonia chemical ionization of ketones using mass analysed ion kinetic energy spectrometry

The structures of the major adduct ions formed in ammonia chemical ionization of thirteen aliphatic and aromatic ketones have been studied by mass analysed ion kinetic energy spectrometry. The [M+NH₃+H]⁺ ion is shown to have a protonated carbinolamine structure, [M+2NH₃+H]⁺ to be a protonated carbinolamine with hydrogen-bonded ammonia and [2M+NH₃+H]⁺ to be, at least in part, a protonated carbinolamine with hydrogen-bonded ketone. These structures may imply a nucleophilic addition of ammonia at the carbonyl of the ketone-ammonium ion complex. An unusual hydroxy migration is seen in the internal rearrangement of the [2M+NH₃+H]⁺ ion leading to the formation of a protonated imine.     

Selective ion-molecule reactions of lactams with dimethyl ether ions

The ion-molecule reactions of dimethyl ether ions CH₃OCH₃ ⁺ and (CH₃OCH₃)H⁺, and four- to seven-membered ring lactams with methyl substituents in various positions were characterized by using a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer and a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer. In both instruments, the lactams were protonated by dimethyl ether ions and formed various combinations of [M + 13] ⁺, [M + 15] ⁺, and [M + 45] ⁺ adduct ions, as well as unusual [M + 3] ⁺ and [M + 16] ⁺ adduct ions. An additional [M + 47] ⁺ adduct ion was formed in the conventional chemical ionization source of the triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer. The product ions were isolated and collisionally activated in the quadrupole ion trap to understand formation pathways, structures, and characteristic dissociation pathways. Sequential activation experiments were performed to elucidate fragment ion structures and stepwise dissociation sequences. Protonated lactams dissociate by loss of water, ammonia, or methylamine; ammonia and carbon monoxide; and water and ammonia or methylamine. The [M + 16] ⁺ products, which are identified as protonated lactone structures, are only formed by those lactams that do not have an N-methyl substituent. The ion-molecule reactions of dimethyl ether ions with lactams were compared with those of analogous amides and lactones.     

Study of adduct ions of meso-phenyl-substituted tetrabenzoporphyrins by fast-atom bombardment mass spectrometry

Mass spectra of meso-phenyl-substituted tetrabenzoporphyrins were investigated by fast-atom bombardment mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry. A cluster of adduct ions with mass-to-charge ratio values higher than the corresponding molecular ions of the porphyrins has been observed. The mass number differences among the series of cluster ions are constant depending on the para-phenyl substituents. Under certain conditions, dimers or trimers of molecular ions with low abundances have been detected. To trace the origin of the adduct ions, a series of experiments based on mass spectrometry have been carried out. The mass spectrum of tetrabenzoporphyrin showed no adduct ions with mass number differences of 90 even with the addition of phenylacetic acid. The mass spectrum of meso-tetraphenylte-trabenzoporphyrin ¹³C-labeled at the meso carbons showed adduct ions with mass number differences of 91. Product spectra of [2M + H]⁺ or [3M + H]⁺ of porphyrins exhibited adduct ions. All these results suggest that fragmentations of [2M + H]⁺ or [3M + H]⁺ may be one of the many possible routes to form the adduct ions, and the mass number differences among the series of these cluster ions should correspond to the benzyl group from the meso positions of meso-phenyl-substituted tetrabenzoporphyrins.     

In-beam electron impact mass spectrometry of aliphatic alcohols

The characteristics of the in-beam electron impact mass spectra of six isomers of undecanol as well as several 1-alkanols have been examined. In addition to the characteristic ions observed in the conventional electron impact spectra, the [2M+1]⁺, [2M+1-H₂O]⁺, [2M+1-2H₂O]⁺, [2M-R or R′]⁺, [2M-H₂O? R or R′]⁺, [2M? 2H₂O? R or R′]⁺ and [M+1? H₂O]⁺ peaks are common in the in-beam electron impact mass spectra of the undecanol isomers of structure RCH(OH)R′. Deuterium labelling experiments have shown that the extra proton in the protonated dimer ions, [2M+1]⁺, originates from the hydroxy group. The processes which produce the important peaks in the high m/e regions are discussed.     

Oxirane as a chemical ionization gas: Reactivity towards different classes of compounds

Oxirane chemical ionization (CI) gives numerous ions, including C₂H₃O⁺ and C₂H₅O⁺. These ions react with organic molecules through various specific ion–molecule reactions such as hydride abstraction, protonation, additions or cycloadditions. Oxirane CI allows discrimination between unsaturated compounds with [M + 43]⁺ and [M + 57]⁺ adduct ions and heteroatom functions with [M + 45]⁺ adduct ion. All are diagnostic ions. Oxirane CI permits selectivity during the ionization process of a mixture and discrimination of isomers.     

Factors affecting reactivity in ammonia chemical ionization mass spectrometry

Several factors affecting reactivity in ammonia chemical ionization mass spectrometry (NH₃ CI) have been examined. These include the sample proton affinity, the preferred site of protonation and [NH₄]⁺ attachment, and substituent effects. In general, compounds having proton affinities ?787 kJ mol^?1 do not yield analytically useful intensities of the [M·NH₄]⁺ adduct ion. Substituted aromatic compounds in which the ring is the most basic site yield little (if any) [M·NH₄]⁺ ion even if the proton affinity of the compound is greater than 787 kJ mol^?1. On the other hand, some aromatic compounds in which the substituent is the most basic site yield relatively abundant adduct ions. The spectra of compounds possessing a good leaving group (X) exhibit only weak [M·NH₄]⁺ ions, but intense [M·NH₄ ? HX]⁺ and [M ? X]⁺ ions formed by substitution and elimination reactions. Electronic effects strongly influence these processes. Several examples are presented in which isomers are readily differentiated because of different reactivities under ammonia chemical ionization conditions.     

Evaluation of the α‐phenylvinyl cation as a chemical ionization reagent for the differentiation of isomeric substituted phenols in an ITMS

Ion–molecule reactions between the α‐phenylvinyl cation and isomeric naturally occurring phenols were investigated using a quadruple ion trap mass spectrometer. The α‐phenylvinyl cation m/z 103, generated by chemical ionization from phenylacetylene, reacts with neutral aromatic compounds to form the characteristic species: [M + 103]⁺ adduct ions and the trans‐vinylating product ions [M + 25]⁺, which correspond to [M + 103]⁺ adduct after the loss of benzene. Isomeric differentiation of several ring‐substituted phenols was achieved by using collision‐induced dissociation of the [M + 103]⁺ adduct ions. This method also showed to be effective in the differentiation of 4‐ethylguaiacol from one of its structural isomers that displays identical EI and EI/MS/MS spectra. The effects of gas‐phase alkylation with phenylvinyl cation on the dissociation behavior were examined using mass spectrometryⁿ and labeled derivatives. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Chemical ionization of phenyl n-propyl ether and methyl substituted analogs: Propene loss initiated by competing proton transfer to the oxygen atom and the aromatic ring

The mechanism of propene loss from protonated phenyl n-propyl ether and a series of mono-, di-, and trimethylphenyl n-propyl ethers has been examined by chemical ionization (CI) mass spectrometry in combination with tandem mass spectrometry experiments. The role of initial proton transfer to the oxygen atom and the aromatic ring, respectively, has been probed with the use of deuterated CI reagents, D₂O, CD₃OD, and CD₃CN (given in order of increasing proton affinity), in combination with deuterium labeling of the β position of the n-propyl group or the phenyl ring. The metastable [M + D]⁺ ions of phenyl n-propyl ether—formed with D₂O as the CI reagent—eliminate C₃H₅D and C₃H₆ in a ratio of 10:90, which indicates that the added deuteron is incorporated to a minor extent in the expelled neutral species. In the experiments with CD₃OD as the CI reagent, the ratio between the losses of C₃H₅D and C₃H₆ from the metastable [M + D]⁺ ions of phenyl n-propyl ether is 18:82, whereas the ratio becomes 27:73 with CD₃CN as the reagent. A similar trend in the tendency to expel a propene molecule that contains the added deuteron is observed for the metastable [M + D]⁺ ions of phenyl n-propyl ether labeled at the β position of the alkyl group. Incorporation of a hydrogen atom that originates from the aromatic ring in the expelled propene molecule is of negligible importance as revealed by the minor loss of C₃H₅D from the metastable [M + H]⁺ ions of C₆D₅OCH₂CH₂CH₃ irrespective of whether H₂O, CH₃OH, or CH₃CN is the CI reagent. The combined results for the [M + D]⁺ ions of phenyl n-propyl ether and deuterium-labeled analogs are suggested to be in line with a model that assumes that propene loss occurs not only from species formed by deuteron transfer to the oxygen atom, but also from ions generated by deuteron transfer to the ring. This is substantiated by the results for the methyl-substituted ethers, which reveal that the position as well as the number of methyl groups bonded to the ring exert a marked effect on the relative importances of the losses of C₃H₅D and C₃H₆ from the metastable [M + D]⁺ ions of the unlabeled methyl-substituted species.     

Chemical ionization mass spectra of simple 1,3-dioxolanes and their sulphur analogues recorded with methane,isobutane, ammonia and acetone as reagent gas

The mass spectral behaviour of nine 1,3-dioxolanes, seven 1,3-dithiolanes and seven 1,3-oxathiolanes was studied under chemical ionization conditions with ammonia, isobutane, methane, acetone, acetone-d₆ or pentan-3-one as reagent gas. The proton affinity of the first members in each series was not large enough for ammonia to protonate them; instead, the ionization took place through unstable [M + NH₄]⁺ ions. Isobutane, which gave rise to abundant [M + H]⁺ ions in all cases, was the best reagent gas for the determination of the molecular mass. Methane chemical ionization caused extensive fragmentations either through ring cleavage or through the elimination of the largest substituent from ring positions 2 as a neutral hydrocarbon. The ketones used as reagent gas reacted to form adduct ions. In the case of dioxolanes and oxathiolanes, the [M + RCO]⁺ adduct ion decomposed through ring opening and then, as a consequence of intramolecular nucleophilic substitution, through the elimination of a neutral carbonyl compound. Resonance-stabilized dioxolanylium and oxathiolanylium ions were obtained for dioxolanes and oxathiolanes, respectively. This reaction was almost non-existent for the dithiolanes.     

Fragmentation pathways of 2,3‐dimethyl‐2,3‐dinitrobutane cations in the gas phase

2,3‐Dimethyl‐2,3‐dinitrobutane (DMNB) is an explosive taggant added to plastic explosives during manufacture making them more susceptible to vapour‐phase detection systems. In this study, the formation and detection of gas‐phase [M+H]⁺, [M+Li]⁺, [M+NH₄]⁺ and [M+Na]⁺ adducts of DMNB was achieved using electrospray ionisation on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. The [M+H]⁺ ion abundance was found to have a strong dependence on ion source temperature, decreasing markedly at source temperatures above 50°C. In contrast, the [M+Na]⁺ ion demonstrated increasing ion abundance at source temperatures up to 105°C. The relative susceptibility of DMNB adduct ions toward dissociation was investigated by collision‐induced dissociation. Probable structures of product ions and mechanisms for unimolecular dissociation have been inferred based on fragmentation patterns from tandem mass (MS/MS) spectra of source‐formed ions of normal and isotopically labelled DMNB, and quantum chemical calculations. Both thermal and collisional activation studies suggest that the [M+Na]⁺ adduct ions are significantly more stable toward dissociation than their protonated analogues and, as a consequence, the former provide attractive targets for detection by contemporary rapid screening methods such as desorption electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry. Copyright © 2009 Commonwealth of Australia. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

HPLC‐DAD and HPLC‐ESI‐MS separation,determination and identification of the spin‐labeled diastereoisomers of podophyllotoxin

Spin‐labeled nitroxide derivatives of podophyllotoxin had better antitumor activity and less toxicity than that of the parent compounds. However, the 2‐H configurations of these spin‐labeled derivatives cannot be determined by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods. In the present paper, a high‐performance liquid chromatography‐diode array detection (HPLC‐DAD) and a high‐performance liquid chromatography‐electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC‐ESI/MS/MS) method were developed and validated for the separation, identification of four pairs of diastereoisomers of spin‐labeled derivatives of podophyllotoxin at C‐2 position. In the HPLC‐ESI/MS spectra, each pair of diastereoisomers of the spin‐labeled derivatives in the mixture was directly confirmed and identified by [M+H]⁺ ions and ion ratios of relative abundance of [M‐ROH+H]⁺ (ion 397) to [M+H]⁺. When the [M‐ROH+H]⁺ ions (at m/z 397) were selected as the precursor ions to perform the MS/MS product ion scan. The product ions at m/z 313, 282, and 229 were the common diagnostic ions. The ion ratios of relative abundance of the [M‐ROH+H]⁺ (ion 397) to [M+H]⁺, [A+H]⁺ (ion 313) to [M‐ROH+H]⁺, [A+H‐OCH₃]⁺ (ion 282) to [M‐ROH+H]⁺ and [M‐ROH‐ArH+H]⁺ (ion 229) to [M‐ROH+H]⁺ of each pair of diastereoisomers of the derivatives specifically exhibited a stereochemical effect. Thus, by using identical chromatographic conditions, the combination of DAD and MS/MS data permitted the separation and identification of the four pairs of diastereoisomers of spin‐labeled derivatives of podophyllotoxin at C‐2 in the mixture.     

A mechanism for the loss of 60 u from peptides containing an arginine residue at the C-terminus

The loss of 60 u from protonated peptide ions containing an arginine residue at the C-terminus has been investigated by means of low energy tandem mass spectrometry. The lowest energy conformation of singly charged bradykinin is thought to involve a salt-bridge structure, which may lead to the formation of two isomeric forms. It is thought that one isomer retains the ionizing proton at the C-terminal end of the peptide, leading to the formation of the [b _n?1 + H + OH]⁺ fragment ion, and the other isomer retains the charge at the N-terminus, leading to the formation of the [M + H ? 60]⁺ fragment ion. It was found that the formation of the [M + H ? 60]⁺ ion occurs only from singly charged precursor ions. In addition, the loss of 60 u occurs from peptides in which the charge is localized at the N-terminus. These results indicate that the mechanism of formation of the [M + H ? 60]⁺ ion may be driven by a charge-remote process.     

Collisional activation spectra of the adduct ions of 1,2,3-triarylpropenones under ammonia chemical ionization conditions

Under ammonia chemical ionization (CI) conditions triarylpropenones undergo hydrogen radical-induced olefinic bond reduction on metal surfaces, resulting in [M + 2H + NH₄]⁺ ions corresponding to the ammonium adduct of the saturated ketone. The decomposition of the adduct ions, [MNH₄]⁺ and [M + 2H + NH₄]⁺, was studied by collision-induced dissociation mass-analysed ion kinetic energy (CID-MIKE) spectroscopy in a reverse geometry instrument. From the CID-MIKE spectra of the [MNH₄]⁺, [M + 2H + NH₄]⁺, [MND₄]⁺ and [M + 2D + ND₄]⁺ ions it is clear that the fragmentation of the adduct ions involves loss of NH₃ followed by various cyclization reactions resulting in stable condensed ring systems. Elimination of ArH and ArCHO subsequent to the loss of NH₃ and formation of aroyl ion are characteristic decomposition pathways of the [MNH₄]⁺ ions, whereas elimination of ArCH₃ and formation of [ArCH₂]⁺ are characteristic of the [M + 2H + NH₄]⁺ ions of these propenones.     

Direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry (DART‐MS) of highly non‐polar low molecular weight polyisobutylenes

Low molecular weight polyisobutylenes (PIB) with chlorine, olefin and succinic acid end‐groups were studied using direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry (DART‐MS). To facilitate the adduct ion formation under DART conditions, NH₄Cl as an auxiliary reagent was deposited onto the PIB surface. It was found that chlorinated adduct ions of olefin and chlorine telechelic PIBs, i.e. [M + Cl]^? up to m/z 1100, and the deprotonated polyisobutylene succinic acid [M? H]^? were formed as observed in the negative ion mode. In the positive ion mode formation of [M + NH₄]⁺, adduct ions were detected. In the tandem mass (MS/MS) spectra of [M + Cl]^?, product ions were absent, suggesting a simple dissociation of the precursor [M + Cl]^? into a Cl^? ion and a neutral M without fragmentation of the PIB backbones. However, structurally important product ions were produced from the corresponding [M + NH₄]⁺ ions, allowing us to obtain valuable information on the arm‐length distributions of the PIBs containing aromatic initiator moiety. In addition, a model was developed to interpret the oligomer distributions and the number average molecular weights observed in DART‐MS for PIBs and other polymers of low molecular weight. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Beam-induced reaction between meta-nitrobenzyl alcohol and dipyridocyanine dyes in liquid-secondary-ion mass spectrometry

Analyses of cationic dipyridocyanine dyes by liquid-secondary-ion mass spectrometry in a liquid matrix of meta-nitrobenzyl alcohol (rnNBA) provide evidence for beam-induced addition reactions between the sample molecule (C) and the mNBA solvent. The ionic products of these addition reactions formally correspond to [C+mNBA?O₂]⁺, Ic+mNBA?O₂?H]⁺, and [C+mNBA?O₂?2H]⁺. Initial loss of H from the adduct ion extends the conjugation of the adduct into the mNBA ring structure, whereas the final loss of hydrogen is thought to be promulgated by the formation of a benzylic radical stabilized through resonance with the π-electron system of the nitrobenzyl alcohol. Alternatively, two hydrogens may be lost from the alcohol functionality to form an aldehyde.     

Positive chemical ionization triple‐quadrupole mass spectrometry and ab initio computational studies of the multi‐pathway fragmentation of phthalates

We report the first positive chemical ionization (PCI) fragmentation mechanisms of phthalates using triple‐quadrupole mass spectrometry and ab initio computational studies using density functional theories (DFT). Methane PCI spectra showed abundant [M + H]⁺, together with [M + C₂H₅]⁺ and [M + C₃H₅]⁺. Fragmentation of [M + H]⁺, [M + C₂H₅]⁺ and [M + C₃H₅]⁺ involved characteristic ions at m/z 149, 177 and 189, assigned as protonated phthalic anhydride and an adduct of phthalic anhydride with C₂H₅⁺ and C₃H₅⁺, respectively. Fragmentation of these ions provided more structural information from the PCI spectra. A multi‐pathway fragmentation was proposed for these ions leading to the protonated phthalic anhydride. DFT methods were used to calculate relative free energies and to determine structures of intermediate ions for these pathways. The first step of the fragmentation of [M + C₂H₅]⁺ and [M + C₃H₅]⁺ is the elimination of [R? H] from an ester group. The second ester group undergoes either a McLafferty rearrangement route or a neutral loss elimination of ROH. DFT calculations (B3LYP, B3PW91 and BPW91) using 6‐311G(d,p) basis sets showed that McLafferty rearrangement of dibutyl, di(‐n‐octyl) and di(2‐ethyl‐n‐hexyl) phthalates is an energetically more favorable pathway than loss of an alcohol moiety. Prominent ions in these pathways were confirmed with deuterium labeled phthalates. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Bifunctional interaction and its effect on the esterification of dicarboxylic acids in chemical ionization mass spectrometry

The chemical ionization mass spectra of different dicarboxylic acids, including saturated and unsaturated aliphatic, aromatic, hydroxyl and amino-substituted dicarboxylic acids, have been studied using pure methanol as the reagent gas. Biomolecular monoesterification and diesterification product ions [M+15]⁺ and [M+29]⁺, and adduct ion [M+33]⁺, were observed, in addition to the protonated molecule [MH]⁺ and unimolecular water elimination product ions. The formation of a protonated molecule with bridged intramolecular hydrogen bond, and its effect on the esterification of dicarboxylic acids is discussed. Geometric isomers, such as maleic and fumaric acid, and ortho and meta isomers of phthalic acids can be distinguished from each other by methanol chemical ionization mass spectra. When ethanol was used as the reagent gas, similar mass spectra of some dicarboxylic acids were obtained.     

C-C and C-H bond activation in the fragmentation of the [M + Ni]+ adducts of aliphatic amino acids

The major metal-containing species formed upon fast atom bombardment of amino acid/Ni⁺² mixtures is the [M + Ni]⁺ adduct, involving reduction of the Ni⁺² to the +1 oxidation state. By contrast, electrospray ionization of amino acid/Ni⁺² mixtures produces predominantly [Ni(M ? H)M]⁺; this species, on collisional activation, produces predominantly [M + Ni]⁺ by elimination of [M - H], presumably a carboxylate radical. The unimolecular fragmentation reactions occurring on the metastable ion time scale for the [M + Ni]⁺ adducts of a variety of α-amino acids have been recorded. The adducts with phenylalanine, α-aminoisobutyric acid and α-aminobutyric acid fragment by elimination of H₂O, H₂O + CO and, to a minor extent, by elimination of CO₂. These reactions are similar to those observed for the [M + Cu]⁺ adducts of α-amino acids. A reaction distinctive for the [M + Ni]⁺ adducts involves formation of the immonium ion RCH=NH ₂ ⁺ . By contrast, the [M + Ni]⁺ adducts with leucine, isoleucine, and norleucine show extensive metastable ion fragmentation by elimination of H₂, CH₄, C₂H₄, C₃H₆, and C₄H₈, with the relative importance of the different fragmentation channels depending on the configuration of the C₄H₉ side chain. These results are interpreted in terms of C-C and C-H bond activation of the C₄H₉ side chain by the Ni⁺. The adducts with valine and norvaline fragment in a fashion similar to the adduct with phenylalanine, except that minor elimination of C₃H₆ is observed.