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.     

Mass spectrometric monitoring of oxidation of aliphatic C6–C8 hydrocarbons and ethanol in low pressure oxygen and air plasmas

Experimental and theoretical studies on the oxidation of saturated hydrocarbons (n‐hexane, cyclohexane, n‐heptane, n‐octane and isooctane) and ethanol in 28 Torr O₂ or air plasma generated by a hollow cathode discharge ion source were made. Ions corresponding to [M + 15]⁺ and [M + 13]⁺ in addition to [M ? H]⁺ and [M ? 3H]⁺ were detected as major ions where M is the sample molecule. The ions [M + 15]⁺ and [M + 13]⁺ were assigned as oxidation products, [M ? H + O]⁺ and [M ? 3H + O]⁺, respectively. By the tandem mass spectrometry analysis of [M ? H + O]⁺ and [M ? 3H + O]⁺, H₂O, olefins (and/or cycloalkanes) and oxygen‐containing compounds were eliminated from these ions. Ozone as one of the terminal products in the O₂ plasma was postulated as the oxidizing reagent. As an example, the reactions of C₆H₁₄^+? with O₂ and of C₆H₁₃⁺ (CH₃CH₂CH⁺CH₂CH₂CH₃) with ozone were examined by density functional theory calculations. Nucleophilic interaction of ozone with C₆H₁₃⁺ leads to the formation of protonated ketone, CH₃CH₂C(=OH⁺)CH₂CH₂CH₃. In air plasma, [M ? H + O]⁺ became predominant over carbocations, [M ? H]⁺ and [M ? 3H]⁺. For ethanol, the protonated acetic acid CH₃C(OH)₂⁺ (m/z 61.03) was formed as the oxidation product. The peaks at m/z 75.04 and 75.08 are assigned as protonated ethyl formate and protonated diethyl ether, respectively, and that at m/z 89.06 as protonated ethyl acetate. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mass spectra of sulfinamide derivatives and identification of their thermal decomposition products

The mass spectra of 30 sulfinamide derivatives (RSONHR', R' alkyl or p-XC₆H₄) are reported. Most of the spectra had peaks attributable to thermal decomposition products. For some compounds these were identified by pyrolysis under similar conditions to be: RSO₂NHR', RSO₂SR, RSSR and NH₂R' (in all kinds of sulfinyl amides); RSNHR' (in the case of arylsulfinyl arylamides); RSO₂C₆H₄NH₂, RSOC₆H₄NH₂ and RSC₆H₄NH₂ (in the case of arylsulfinyl arylamides of the type of X = H) The mass spectra of the three thermally stable compounds showed that there are several kinds of common fragment ions. The mass spectra of the thermally labile compounds had two groups of ions; (i) characteristic fragment ions of the intact molecules and (ii) the molecular ions of the thermal decomposition products. It was concluded that the sulfinamides give the following ions after electron impact: [M]⁺, [M ? R]⁺, [M ? R + H]⁺, [M ? SO]⁺, [RS]⁺, [NHR']⁺, [NHR' + H]⁺, [RSO]⁺, [RSO + H]⁺, [R]⁺, [R + H]⁺, [R']⁺ and [M ? OH]⁺, and that the thermal decomposition products give the following ions: [RSO₂SR]⁺, [RSSR]⁺, [M ? O]⁺, [M + O]⁺ and [RSOC₆H₄NH₂]⁺.     

Reversible cyclomerization and long range hydrogen abstraction by electron impact of 7-coumarinyl diesters ROOC(CH2)nCOOR

The mass spectra of 4-methyl-7-coumarinyl and 7-coumarinyl diestes ROOC(CH₂)_nCOOR (n = 2-12) have ben studied by appearance potential measurements, deuterium labelling and by comparison with suitable reference compounds such as the mised diestes ROOC(CH₂)_nCOOR′ (R=4-methyl-7-coumarinyl and R′ = methyl and phenyl) and 3.4-dihydro-4-methyl-coumarinyl diestes. Observations on the fragment ions of m/e 324, produced from the 7-coumrinyl diestes and their photocyclomers, by elimination of the central bridge as O?C?CH? (CH₂)_n–2? CH?C?O, demonstrate the existence and reversible formation of cyclomeric molecular ions. A stable bound system between the coumrin end groups is formed only at high internal energies by expulsion of a hydrogen atom, followed by elimination of the central bridge from the [M? H]⁺ ion. It is also shown that the lifetime of the open form molecular ions decreases remarkably for chain lengths with n larger than 6.     

Mass spectra of aliphatic dicarboxylic acids and their dimethyl esters: Cyclic structures for the [M − H2O]+˙ ions from the diacids and [M − MeOH]+˙ ions from the dimethyl esters

Methyl 2-oxocycIoalkane carboxylate structures are proposed lor the [M ? MeOH]^+˙ ions from dimethyl adipate, pimelate, suberate and azelate. This proposal is based on a comparison of the metastable ion mass spectra and the kinetic energy releases for the major fragmentation reaction of these species with the same data for the molecular ions of authentic cyclic β-keto esters. The mass spectra of α,α,α′,α′-d₄-pimelic acid and its dimethyl ester indicate that the α-hydrogens are involved only to a minor extent in the formation of [M ? ROH]^+˙ and [M ? 2ROH]^+˙ ions, while these α-hydrogens are involved almost exclusively in the loss of ROH from the [M ? RO˙]⁺ ions (R = H or CH₃). The molecules XCO(CH₂)₇COOMe (X = OH, Cl) form abundant ions in their mass spectra with the same structure as the [M ? 2MeOH]^+˙ ions from dimethyl azelate.     

Mass spectra of some (Z)-α-Phenyl-β-(2-thienyl)acrylonitriles

The mass spectra of some (Z)α-(4-R′-phenyl)-β-(2-thienyl-5-R)acrylonitriles (R = H, CH₃, Br; R′ = H, CH₃O, CH₃, Cl, NO₂) at 70 eV are reported. Mass spectra exhibit pronounced molecular ions. The compound's where R = H, and CH₃ are characterized by the occurrence of a strong [M - H]⁺ peak. Moreover, in all the compounds a m/z 177 peak occurs. In the compounds where R = H, [M - HS]* and [M - CHS]* ions are present except the nitroderivatives. Where R = CH₃, [M - HS]⁺ ion occurs.     

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.     

Evaluation of nitric oxide chemical ionization mass spectra of substituted benzenes

Nitric oxide chemical ionization mass spectra of substituted benzenes obtained with the Townsend discharge technique were studied. There were four kinds of base peaks in the mass spectra, i.e. [M + NO]⁺˙, M⁺˙, [M ? H]⁺ and [M ? OR]⁺ (R = H, CH₃). The formation of the specific ion [M + NO]⁺˙ was highly dependent on the kind of substituent, and it was produced more abundantly in the case of substitutions involving electron-accepting groups. The measure of [M + NO]⁺˙ production was evaluated from the value of the ratio [M + NO]⁺˙/M⁺˙. In mono-substitutions, it was clarified that the ratios of [M + NO]⁺˙/M ⁺˙ were correlated with the Hammett substituent constant s?_p or the electrophilic substituent constant s?_p⁺. Monosubstitutions (C₆H₅R) and toluene substitutions (CH₃C₆H₄R) could be classified into six groups in terms of base peak species, [M + NO]⁺˙/M⁺˙ ratios and substituents. In disubstitutions, the mass spectral patterns were governed by the combination of substituents. Mass spectral distinctions among ortho, meta and para isomers could be made in many cases.     

Nitrogen incorporation in saturated aliphatic C6–C8 hydrocarbons and ethanol in low‐pressure nitrogen plasma generated by a hollow cathode discharge ion source

Ion/molecule reactions of saturated hydrocarbons (n‐hexane, cyclohexane, n‐heptane, n‐octane and isooctane) in 28‐Torr N₂ plasma generated by a hollow cathode discharge ion source were investigated using an Orbitrap mass spectrometer. It was found that the ions with [M+14]⁺ were observed as the major ions (M: sample molecule). The exact mass analysis revealed that the ions are nitrogenated molecules, [M+N]⁺ formed by the reactions of N₃⁺ with M. The reaction, N₃⁺ + M → [M+N]⁺ + N₂, were examined by the density functional theory calculations. It was found that N₃⁺ abstracts the H atom from hydrocarbon molecules leading to the formation of protonated imines in the forms of R′R″C?NH₂⁺ (i.e. C–H bond nitrogenation). This result is in accord with the fact that elimination of NH₃ is the major channel for MS/MS of [M+N]⁺. That is, nitrogen is incorporated in the C–H bonds of saturated hydrocarbons. No nitrogenation was observed for benzene and acetone, which was ascribed to the formation of stable charge‐transfer complexes benzene????N₃⁺ and acetone????N₃⁺ revealed by density functional theory calculations. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mass spectrometric investigation of stereosomeric 1,2-dimethyl-4-substituted decahydroquinol-4-ol N-oxides. Concerning the configuration of the asymmetric nitrogen atom

The main fragmentation pathways of the N-1, C-2 and C-4 stereoisomers of the 1,2-dimethyl-4-R-transdecahydroquinoline-4-ol N-oxides (R=C?CH, CH?CH₂ and C₂H₅) under electron impact are discussed. The correlation between the mass spectrometric chromatographic behaviour and the configuration of polar groups in the N-oxides examined is discussed. The mass spectra of the N-1 stereoisomers may be subdivided into two groups, depending only on the orientation of N→O group and not of the 4-OH group. The spectra of N-oxides with the axial N-oxide group reveal less intense ions and much more intense [M? CH₃]⁺, [M? O]⁺, [M? OH]⁺ and ions, whereas in the spectra of their equatorial epimers the abundance of the ions exceeds the intensities of the latter ions.     

Collisional activation study of cyclic polysulfides

Cyclic polysulfides isolated from higher plants, model compounds and their electron impact induced fragment ions have been investigated by various mass spectrometric methods. These species represent three sets of sulfur compounds: C₃H₆S_x (x=1?6), C₂H₄S_x (x=1?5) and CH₂S_x (x=1?4). Three general fragmentation mechanisms are discussed using metastable transitions: (1) the unimolecular loss of structural parts (CH₂S, CH₂ and S_x); (2) fragmentations which involve ring opening reactions, hydrogen migrations and recyclizations of the product ions ([M? CH₃]⁺, [M? CH₃S]⁺, [M? SH]⁺ and [M? CS₂]^+˙); and (3) complete rearrangements preceding the fragmentations ([M? S₂H]⁺ and [M? C₂H₄]^+˙). The cyclic structures of [M]^+˙ and of specific fragment ions have been investigated by comparing the collisional activation spectra of model ions. On the basis of these results the cyclic ions decompose via linear intermediates and then recyclizations of the product ions occur. The stabilities of the fragment ions have been determined by electron efficiency vs electron energy curves.     

Electrospray ionization multiple-stage linear ion-trap mass spectrometry for structural elucidation of triacylglycerols: Assignment of fatty acyl groups on the glycerol backbone and location of double bonds

Linear ion-trap multiple-stage mass spectrometric approach (MS ⁿ ) towards nearly complete structural elucidation of triacylglycerol (TAG) including (1) assignment the fatty acid substituents on the glycerol backbone and (2) location of the double bond(s) on the unsaturated fatty acyl groups is reported. The characterization is established by the findings that MS² on the [M+Li]⁺ ions of TAG yields more abundant ions reflecting losses of the outer fatty acid substituents either as free acids (i.e., [M+Li-R₁CO₂H]⁺ and [M+Li-R₃CO₂H]⁺ ions) or as lithium salts (i.e., [M+Li-R₁CO₂Li]⁺ and [M+Li-R₃CO₂Li]⁺ ions) than the ions reflecting the similar losses of the inner fatty acid substituent (i.e., [M+Li-R₂CO₂Li]⁺ and [M+Li-R₂CO₂Li]⁺ ions). Further dissociation (MS³) of [M+Li-R _n CO₂H]⁺ (n=1, 2, or 3) gives rise to the ion series locating the double bonds along the fatty acid chain. These ions arise from charge-remote fragmentations involving β-cleavage with γ-H shift, analogous to those seen for the unsaturated long-chain fatty acids characterized as initiated ions. Significant differences in abundances in the ion pairs reflecting the additional losses of the fatty acid moieties, respectively, were also seen in the MS³ spectra of the [M+Li-R _n CO₂H]⁺ and [M+Li-R _n CO₂Li]⁺ ions, leading to confirmation of the fatty acid substituents on the glycerol backbone. MS ⁿ on the [M+Na]⁺ and [M+NH₄]⁺ adduct ions also affords location of fatty acid substituents on the glycerol backbone, but not the position of the double bond(s) along the fatty acid chain. Unique ions from internal losses of the glycerol residues were seen in the MS³ spectra of [M+Alk-R _n CO₂H]⁺ (n=1, 2, 3) and of [M+Alk-R _n CO₂Alk]⁺ (Alk=Li, Na, NH₄; n=1, 3). They are signature ions for glycerides and the pathways leading to their formation may involve rearrangements.     

Characterization of synthetic N-acetylcysteine conjugates by positive- and negative-ion 252Cf plasma desorption mass spectrometry

N-Acetylcysteine and nine N-acetylcysteine conjugates of synthetic origin were characterized by positive- and negative-ion plasma desorption mass Spectrometry. For sample preparation the electrospray technique and the nitrocellulose spin deposition technique were applied. The fragmentation of these compounds, which are best seen as S-substituted desaminoglycylcysteine dipeptides, shows a similar behaviour to that of linear peptides. In the positive-ion mass spectra intense protonated molecular ion peaks are observed. In addition, several sequence-specific fragment ions (A⁺, B⁺, [Y + 2H]⁺, Z⁺), immonium ions (I⁺) and a diagnostic fragment ion for mercap-turic acids (R_M⁺) are detected. The negative-ion mass spectra exhibit deprotonated molecular ions and in contrast only one fragment ion corresponding to side-chain specific cleavage ([R_XS]^?) representing the xenobiotic moiety. In the case of a low alkali metal concentration on the target, cluster molecular ions of the [nM + H]⁺ or [nM - H]^? ion type (n = 1-3) are observed. The analysis of an equimolar mixture of eight N-acetylcysteine conjugates shows different quasi-molecular ion yields for the positive- and negative-ion spectra.     

Ion-molecule reactions observed for nitroaromatic compounds in negative ion fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry

Analyses of a series of nitroaromatic compounds using fast atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectrometry are discussed. An interesting ion-molecule reaction leading to [M + O ? H]^? ions is observed in the negative ion FAB spectra. Evidence from linked-scan and collision-induced dissociation spectra proved that [M + O ? H]^? ions are produced by the following reaction: M + NO₂^? → [M + NO₂]^? → [M + O ? H]^?. These experiments also showed that M^?˙ ions are produced in part by the exchange of an electron between M and NO₂^? species. All samples showed M^?˙, [M ? H]^? or both ions in their negative ion FAB spectra. Not all analytes studied showed either [M + H]⁺ and/or M⁺˙ in the positive ion FAB spectra. No M⁺˙ ions were observed for ions having ionization energies above ～9 eV.     

Characteristic features of mass-spectra of some nitroxide radicals

Some compounds containing mono- and polynitroxide radicals have been investigated and characterized by electron ionization (EI), chemical ionization (CI), and matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry. Some characteristics of the mass spectra of these radicals are demonstrated. It was found that, under CI and MALDI conditions, ions [M+nH]⁺ are formed along with monoprotonated molecules [M+H]⁺, depending on the type of the radical n = 2–5.     

Electron impact mass spectrometry of some 2,11-diaza[3.3]cyclophane derivatives

The most significant mass spectral features of thirteen title compounds are discussed with the aid of high-resolution mass measurements and metastable peak analysis. The decomposition patterns of the compounds investigated are strongly affected by N-substitution and by methyl substituents ortho to the bridging chains (ortho effects). A unique feature connected with symmetrical macrocycles, bearing at least two ortho methyl substituents on each phenyl ring, is the presence in their spectra of diagnostically important peaks, corresponding to [M ? RNH₂]⁺˙ and [M ? 2RNH₂]⁺˙ (R = Ts, H, CH₃). These daughter ions are proposed to be associated with the formation of cage compounds (multibridged cyclophanes), generated by an intramolecular [4 + 4] cycloaddition reaction of unstable linear bis-(o-xylylene) precursors.     

Some aspects of the mass spectra of triptycene and tri- and diphenylmethanes

Mass spectra of isotope-labeled triptycenes, triphenylmethanes and diphenylmethanes rule out the bulk of postulated decomposition mechanisms and fragment-ion structures. The formation of [M ? H]⁺ and [M ? 2H]²⁺ from triptycene, of [M ? H]⁺, [M ? CH₃]⁺ and [M ? CH₄]⁺ from triphenylmethane, and of [M ? H]²⁺ and [M ? 2H]²⁺-as well as the previously reported [M ? H]⁺ and [M ? CH₃]⁺-from diphenylmethane all seem to be preceded or accompanied by complete loss of position identity of the α and ring hydrogens in the original molecules. A statistical preference for loss of α hydrogens is found in the process leading to [M ? 2H]⁺ and [M ? H]²⁺ from triptycene, as in the formation of [M ? H]²⁺ from toluene.     

Zum Mechanismus massenspektrometrischer Fragmentierungsreaktionen—IXSterische Effekte in den Massenspekten der Stereoisomeren von Decalin-2,3-diolen,Decalin-2,4-Diolen und Ihen Dimethyläthern

The mass spectra of all stereoisomers of decalin-2,3-diol, the corresponding dimethyl ethers and of some deuterated derivatives are discussed. The mass spectra of isomeric decalin-2,3-diols differ only slightly in ion intensities. The mass spectra of the stereoisomeric 2,3-dimethoxy-decalins are nearly identical within the series of transand cisderivatives. A mass spectrometric identification of the stereoisomers of these compounds is therefore diffucult. Stereoselective eliminations from the molecular ion are not observed. The mass spectra -of stereoisomeric decalin-1,4-diols show characteristic differences in the intensities of the[M ? H₂O]⁺˙-ions, which can be related to the geometry of the molecules in a similiar mode as was the case with cyclohexane-1,4-diols, The sterechemical control of the elimination of H₂O from the molecular ions has been confirmed by deuterium labelling. The mass spectra of stereoismeric 1,4-dimethoxy-decalins also differ characteristically in the intensities of the [M ? CH₃OH]⁺˙ ions. Furthermore peak due to the [M ? CH₂O]⁺˙ ions are only observed in the mass spectra of those stereoisomers, which have at least one conformation with a short distance between the two methoxy. The stereospecifity of the CH₃OH- and CH₂O-eliminationjs has also been determined by deuterium labelling.     

Fragmentation reactions of some aliphatic esters in the NCl(F−) and NCl(NH2−) mass spectra

The NCI(F^?) and NCI(NH₂^?) mass spectra of a series of aliphatic acetates and of methyl and ethyl trimethylacetate have been obtained. The formation of fluoroenolate ions CH₂COF^? and of carboxamide anions RCONH^? (R ? CH₃))CH₃C). respectively, is observed besides formation of [M ? H]^? ions and carboxylate ions RCOO^? (R ? CH₃, (CH₃)₃C). The relative intensities of the different anions depend on the structure of the ester molecules and on the primary reactant anions. Usually, the NCI(NH₂^?) spectra of the acetates are dominated by [M ? H]^? ions ([M? D]^? ions in the case of trideuteroacetates) fragmenting unimolecularly by elimination of an alcohol. The carboxylate ions are important fragments, too, but carboxamide ions are only observed with large intensities in the NCI(NH₂^? spectra of the trimethylacetates. The NCI(F^?) spectra show much larger intensities of carboxylate ions and fluoroenolate ions. The mechanisms of the fragmentation reactions are discussed. The results indicate that most or even all of the fragment ions in the NCI(F^? mass spectra of aliphatic esters are formed by addition-elimination reactions via a tetrahedral intermediate, while competition between direct proton abstraction and addition-elimination reactions occurs in the NCI(NH₂^?) mass spectra because of the higher basicity of NH₂^? resulting in an early transition state for direct proton abstraction.     

Low-energy,low-temperature mass spectra. 10—urethanes

The 12.1 eV, 75°C electron impact mass spectra of 24 urethanes, RNHCO₂C₂H₅ [R ? H, C₂H_{2n +1} (n = 1-8), CH₂?CHCH₂, Ph, PhCH₂ and PhCH₂CH₂], and seven symmetrically disubstituted urethanes R₂NCO₂C₂H₅ (R ? C_n H_{2n + 1} (n = 1?4)) are reported and discussed. All 31 spectra show appreciable molecular ion peaks. For n ?Cn H_{2n +1} NHCO₂C₂H₅, M^{+ ˙} usually is the most abundant ion in the spectrum. A peak at m/z 102 of comparable intensity also is present; this corresponds to formal cleavage of the bond connecting the α- and β-carbon atoms in the N-alkyl group, though it is unlikely that the daughter ion has the structure [CH₂?NHCO₂C₂H₅]⁺. In the RNHCO₂C₂H₅ series, branching at the α-carbon atom enhances the relative abundance of the ion arising by notional α-cleavage at the expense of that of M^{+ ˙}. Formal cleavage of the bond between β- and γ-carbon atoms occurs to some extent for [RNHCO₂C₂H₅]⁺˙ ions; this reaction provides information on the degree of branching at the β-carbon, especially if metastable molecular ions are considered. The higher n-C_nH_{2n +1}NHCO₂C₂H₅ (n = 5?8) urethanes exhibit two other significant ions in their mass spectra. First, there is a peak at [M ? C₂H₅]⁺. Secondly, a peak is present at m/z 90; the most plausible structure for this ion is [H₂N(HO)COC₂H₅]⁺, arising by double hydrogen transfer from the alkyl group and expulsion of a [C_nH_{2n ?1}]˙ radical. Ions originating from secondary decomposition of the primary ionic species are generally of only very low abundance in these spectra.