Mass spectral study of ring E of taraxasterol and compounds with similar ring substitution

The origin of the [M–69]⁺ and [M–111]⁺ signals in the mass spectrum of taraxasterol was studied through the use of C(18), (19), (21), (22) and/or (30) deuteriated derivatives. The generality of these signals for ring systems with an exocyclic methylene group and a methyl moiety on an adjacent carbon was verified with 2-methylmethylenecyclohexane, 1-methyl-2-methylene-trans-decalin, 1,10-dimethyl-2-methylene-trans-decalin and some of their deuteriated derivatives. The most plausible mechanism for the formation of the [M–69]⁺ ion appears to involve cleavage of both bonds allylic to the exocyclic methylene group with a 1,3-hydrogen transfer from the adjacent ring. Genesis of the [M–111]⁺ ion is more complicated but a five-membered allylic ion generated from ring D is proposed.