Electron impact mass spectrometry of [C7H8N]+ and [C6H7]+ and [C6H7]+ fragment ions produced from o-toluidine and N-methylaniline

An energetic study of the production of [C₇H₈N]⁺ and [C₆H₇]⁺ fragment ions from o-toluidine and N-methylaniline is reported. The mechanisms for the formation of the ions are suggested. Metastable peaks associated with the formation and fragmentation of reactive [C₇H₈N]⁺ and [C₆H₇]⁺ ions were detected and kinetic energy released were determined. The results indicate that the [C₇H₈N]⁺ ion is formed at threshold from o-toluidine with an aminotropylium structure whereas for N-methylaniline the ion is formed with anN-phenylmethaniminium structure. [C₆H₇]⁺ ions are believed to be formed at threshold from the two precursors with a protonated benzene structure.     

Stabilization of even-electron ions by cyclization of substituents on 3N- and 4N-nitrogens in 4N-substituted cytosines

Electron impact mass spectra of 4N-substituted derivatives of cytosine are reported. The strong influence of 4N-substituents on the mode of mass fragmentation occurring upon electron impact ionization was proved. The presence of α-carbon in the 4N-substituent extends the possibilities of fragmentation via rearrangement leading to formation of even-electron bicyclic ions containing quaternary 3N-nitrogen. When β-carbon was present in the 4N-substituent, the decomposition based on elimination of alkenes was detected as well as the rearrangement leading to formation of bicyclic even-electron ions containing quaternary 3N- or 4N-nitrogen.     

Das unterschiedliche massenspektrometrische Fragmentierungsverhalten von Lysinmethylester und dessen N,N′-Diacetylderivat. 27. Mitteilung über das massenspektrometrische Verhalten von Stickstoffverbindungen

The Different Behaviour of Lysine Methyl Ester and its N,N′-Diacetyl Derivative under Electron Impact The base peak in the spectrum of lysine methyl ester is due to the fragment ion C₅H₁₀N (m/e 84), for which the cyclic structure g (Scheme 1) is deduced. During its formation from the [M-COOCH₃]-ion an equilibration of both nitrogen atoms takes place (ion c , Scheme 1). The cyclic nature of ion m/e 84 is in agreement with the intensity of the corresponding ions in the spectra of homologues of lysine methyl ester (Fig. 1). Although in comparison with lysine methyl ester ( 1 ) N,N′-diacetyl-lysine methyl ester ( 7 ) shows the same general fragmentation pathway with formation of the ions [M-COOCH₃] and [M-COOCH₃-H₂NCOCH₃] (m/e 126), the exact fragmentation mechanism proves to the different. Two mechanisms are discussed for the formation of the ion m/e 126 from 7 (Schemes 2 and 3). The results are based on the spectra of labelled derivatives.     

Differentiation of isomeric C8- and N 2-deoxyguanosine adducts of 2-acetylaminofluorene by fast-atom bombardment and tandem mass spectrometry

Product-ion studies of source-produced ions corresponding to acetylated and nonacetylated N ²- and C8-substituted aminofluorene adducts of deoxyguanosine were conducted to identify specific fragmentation pathways differentiating the isomers and to determine the influence of the acetyl group on the fragmentation of the arylamide modified deoxyguanosine adducts. The collision-induced dissociation spectra of the BHZ ₂ ⁺ ion and other significant source-produced ions showed no evidence to suggest that ketene loss (deacetylation) resulted in significant alteration of the structure of the adducts. However, other significant ion formation processes, particularly loss of water from the N ²-substituted arylamide did appear to require rearrangement, likely involving bond formation between the carcinogen moiety (acetyl group) and the N1 or N2 position of the guanine base. The combined loss of ketene and water constitute a fragmentation pattern specific for the N ²-arylamide, 3-(deoxyguanosin-N ²-yl)-2-acetylaminofluorene.     

Electron ionization mass spectra of alkylated sulfabenzamides

Mono‐, di‐ and trialkyl derivatives of 'sulfabenzamide' (N‐4‐aminophenylsulfonylbenzamide) have been prepared and their electron ionization (EI) mass spectra examined. It is found that the fragmentation of N‐alkylsulfabenzamides (alkyl = CH₃ to n‐C₅H₁₁) proceeds via a very specific rearrangement process. The proposed mechanism involves an intermediate formation of distonic molecular ions, and the driving force for this process is the formation of stable N‐alkylphenylcyanide cations [R‐N⁺ ? CC₆H₅]. The findings are confirmed by exact mass measurements, tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) experiments and deuterium labeling. Published in 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hydride transfer reactions via ion–neutral complex: fragmentation of protonated N‐benzylpiperidines and protonated N‐benzylpiperazines in mass spectrometry

An ion‐neutral complex (INC)‐mediated hydride transfer reaction was observed in the fragmentation of protonated N‐benzylpiperidines and protonated N‐benzylpiperazines in electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Upon protonation at the nitrogen atom, these compounds initially dissociated to an INC consisting of [RC₆H₄CH₂]⁺ (R = substituent) and piperidine or piperazine. Although this INC was unstable, it did exist and was supported by both experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. In the subsequent fragmentation, hydride transfer from the neutral partner to the cation species competed with the direct separation. The distribution of the two corresponding product ions was found to depend on the stabilization energy of this INC, and it was also approved by the study of substituent effects. For monosubstituted N‐benzylpiperidines, strong electron‐donating substituents favored the formation of [RC₆H₄CH₂]⁺, whereas strong electron‐withdrawing substituents favored the competing hydride transfer reaction leading to a loss of toluene. The logarithmic values of the abundance ratios of the two ions were well correlated with the nature of the substituents, or rather, the stabilization energy of this INC. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Der massenspektrometrische Zerfall isomerer Diacetamido-cyclo-hexane,ihrer N-Phenäthyl-Derivate und Bis (acetamidomethyl)cyclohexane. 32. Mitteilung über massenspektrometrische Untersuchungen,,

The Mass Spectral Decomposition of Isomeric Diacetamido-cyclohexanes, their N-Phenethyl-Derivatives and Bis(acetamidomethyl)cyclohexanes In the mass spectra of the six isomeric diacetamidocyclohexanes 2--4 (cis and trans each, Scheme 2) as well as of the six isomeric bis(acetamidomethyl)cyclohexanes 6--8 (cis and trans each, Scheme 5) are clear differences between the constitutional isomers, whereas cis/trans isomers show very similar spectra. The lack of stereospecific fragmentations is explained by loss of configurational integrity of the molecular ion before fragmentation. However, the mass spectral fragmentation of epimeric diamidocyclohexanes becomes very stereospecific by the introduction of a phenethyl group on one of the nitrogen atoms: this group avoids epimerization of the molecular ion prior to fragmentation. In the N-phenethyl derivatives 10, 11, 13 and 14 (Scheme 8) the typical fragmentations of the cis-isomer after loss of ·C₇H₇ from the molecular ion are the elimination of CH₂CO by formation of cyclic ions, and the loss of p-toluenesulfonic acid or benzoic acid, respectively, with subsequent elimination of CH₃CN (Scheme 9). In the trans-isomer the typical fragmentations are the loss of the side chain bearing a tertiary nitrogen atom, and the elimination of the tosyl or benzoyl radical, respectively, with subsequent loss of CH₃CONH₂ (Scheme 10).     

Mass spectrometry of diaziridines: 1—Rearrangements of the molecular ion of 1-benzyl-3,3-dimethyldiaziridine and identification of some daughter ions using collisional activation

Intense rearrangement processes involving migrations of hydrogen atoms and the phenyl group were observed in the electron impact induced fragmentation of 1-benzyl-3,3-dimethyldiaziridine. The following ions are observed: (i) m/z 146: a two-step fragmentation involving hydrogen transfer followed by loss of NH₂; (ii) m/z 119: C—N¹ bond fission followed by a 1–4 phenyl shift and loss of CH₃N₂; (iii) m/z 106: a process involving reciprocal hydrogen migration between the methyl and benzylic methylene groups; (iv) m/z 58: hydrogen transfer from benzylic methylene and subsequent loss of PhCHN. The origin of these ions has been confirmed by measurements of metastable transitions in 1-benzyl-3,3-dimethyldiaziridine, and on specifically deuterated and substituted diaziridines. The structure of the ions at m/z 119 and m/z 106 has been deduced by means of collisional activation spectrometry.     

N-Isopropenylazoles: II. Fragmentation of N-Isopropenylazoles under Electron Impact

Fragmentation under electron impact of all N-isopropenylazoles, except for N-isopropenyl-2- phenylpyrrole, involves elimination of propyne or allene with formation of the corresponding NH azoles. N-Isopropenylpyrrole, N-isopropenyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindole, and N-isopropenylindole give rise to rearrangement of the molecular ion into azepine structure, while the fragmentation of N-isopropenyl-2-phenylpyrrole is accompanied by transfromation into 5-methyl-5,6-dihydropyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline. Retrodiene decom- position is the main fragmentation pathway of the molecular ions derived from N-isopropenyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindole and its 2-methyl-substituted analog. In the decomposition of 2,3-di- and 2,3,5-trimethyl-N-isopropenylpyrrole, the major fragment ions are formed from the [M - H]⁺ ion having a pyridinium structure rather than from the molecular ion. N-Isopropenyldi- and -triazoles undergo fragmentation along competing pathways involving cleavage of the heteroring.     

Negative-ion mass spectra of some N-mesyl derivatives of o-(cycloalk-2-enyl)-, o-(cycloalk-1-enyl)-, o-(pent-2-enyl)-, o-dibromopentylanilines and (α-bromoalkyl)indolines

The formation and fragmentation of negative ions of some N-(methylsulfonyl)anilines upon resonance electron capture have been studied. The formation of long-living molecular ions is due to the presence of the mesyl groups in the molecules. The difference in negative-ion mass spectra of isomeric N-(methylsulfonyl)anilines has been revealed.     

Spontaneous fragmentations of protonated benzaldimines mediated by intermediate ion-neutral complexes

4-Methoxymethylbenzaldimmonium ions (a) and the corresponding N-methylated ions (b) and N,N-dimethylated ions (c) were easily generated in the ion source by electron impact-induced dissociation from 1-(4-methoxymethylphenyl)ethylamine and its N-methylated derivatives. The spontaneous fragmentations of metastable ions a-c and of specifically deuterated derivatives in the second field-free region of a VG ZAB-2F mass spectrometer were studied by mass-analysed ion kinetic energy Spectrometry. The formation of an amino-p-quinodimethane radical cation by loss of the methoxy group is observed for all ions. In the case of a and b carrying at least one proton at the immonium group, competing fragmentations are the loss of CH₂O and CH₃OH, respectively, and the formation of ions CH₃OCH₂ ⁺, m/z 45, and C₇H₇ ⁺, m/z 91. Deuterium-labelling experiments indicated the migration of a proton from the protonated imino group of a and b to the aromatic ring followed by the loss of methanol from the methoxymethyl side-chain or protolysis of the bond to either side-chain to form ion-neutral complexes, in close analogy with the reactions of the corresponding protonated benzaldehydes. The intermediate ion-neutral complexes dissociate eventually by internal ion-neutral reactions resulting in the loss of CH₂ O and the formation of C₇H₇ ⁺, respectively.     

Mass spectra of new heterocycles: IX. Main fragmentaion laws of 7-methyl-2-(methylsulfanyl)-3-(1-ethoxyethoxy)-4,5-dihydro-3<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>-azepine and its structural isomers (2,3-dihydropyridine,pyrrole, thiophene) under electron impact

Mass spectra were investigated for the first time of four structural isomers of heterocycles, formerly inavailable 7-methyl-2-(methylsulfanyl)-3-(1-ethoxyethoxy)-4,5-dihydro-3H-azepine, 2,2-dimethyl-6-(methylsulfanyl)-5-(1-ethoxyethoxy)-2,3-dihydropyridine, 1-isopropyl-2-(methylsulfanyl)-3-(1-ethoxyethoxy)pyrrole, and N-isopropyl-N-methyl-3-(1-ethoxyethoxy)-2-thiophenamine prepared from a single linear precursor, adduct of α-lithiated 1-(1-ethoxyethoxy)allene and isopropyl isothiocyanate. All compounds formed a molecular ion (I _rel 1–6%) whose primary fragmentation at the electron impact (70 eV) occurs in two principal directions related to the cleavage of the C-O bonds in the 1-ethoxyethoxy-substituent: with a simple rupture of the bonds C-OEt and C-O(heterocycle) and with the elimination of an ethoxyethene molecule. In the spectra of 4,5-dihydro-3H-azepine and 2,3-dihydropyridine the first fragmentation channel of [M]^+· dominates. The second direction prevailes at the fragmentation of pyrrole and thiophene molecular ions leading to an odd-electrons ion with m/z 171. Further fragmentation of this ion is characteristic of each isomer and resulted in the formation of diagnostic ions providing a possibility of identification of these isomers by mass spectrometry.     

Specific rearrangement reactions of acetylated lysine containing peptide bn (n = 4–7) ion series

Characterization of ε‐N‐acetylated lysine containing peptides, one of the most prominent post‐translational modifications of proteins, is an important goal for tandem mass spectrometry experiments. A systematic study for the fragmentation reactions of b ions derived from ε‐N‐acetyllysine containing model octapeptides (K_AcYAGFLVG and YAK_AcGFLVG) has been examined in detail. Collision‐induced dissociation (CID) mass spectra of b_n (n = 4–7) fragments of ε‐N‐acetylated lysine containing peptides are compared with those of N‐terminal acetylated and doubly acetylated (both ε‐N and N‐terminal) peptides, as well as acetyl‐free peptides. Both direct and nondirect fragments are observed for acetyl‐free and singly acetylated (ε‐N or N‐terminal) peptides. In the case of ε‐N‐acetylated lysine containing peptides, however, specific fragment ions (m/z 309, 456, 569 and 668) are observed in CID mass spectra of b_n (n = 4–7) ions. The CID mass spectra of these four ions are shown to be identical to those of selected protonated C‐terminal amidated peptides. On this basis, a new type of rearrangement chemistry is proposed to account for the formation of these fragment ions, which are specific for ε‐N‐acetylated lysine containing peptides. Consistent with the observation of nondirect fragments, it is proposed that the b ions undergo head‐to‐tail macrocyclization followed by ring opening. The proposed reaction pathway assumes that b_n (n = 4–7) of ε‐N‐acetylated lysine containing peptides has a tendency to place the K_Ac residue at the C‐terminal position after macrocyclization/reopening mechanism. Then, following the loss of CO, it is proposed that the marker ions are the result of the loss of an acetyllysine imine as a neutral fragment. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mass spectrometric study on 2-amino-as-triazino[6,5-c]quinoline and some of its derivatives

Electron impact induced fragmentations of 2-amino-as-triazino[6,5-c]quinoline and its 2-methylamino, 2-dimethylamino and 2-benzylamino analogues have been investigated. The main primary decomposition route of both the singly and the doubly charged molecular ions is the N₂ loss. For the singly charged ions the critical energy of this reaction is 110±10 kJ mol^?1 and the kinetic energy release is 61±4 kJ mol^?1. For the doubly charged ions these values are 90±10 kJ mol^?1 and 5±2 kJ mol^?1, respectively, indicating a significantly different reaction profile. The further fragmentation of [M? N₂]⁺˙ ions consists of radical eliminations from the 2-amino group with cleavages of the α- and β-bonds. Here a significant substituent effect is eliminations found suggesting an intramolecular cyclization reaction with a substituent migration. D and ¹⁵N labelling experiments have shown a minor extent of randomization of the labelled atoms and the occurrence of other hidden skeletal rearrangements during the fragmentation.     

Mass spectra of pyridazines and their N-oxides

The mass spectra of pyridazines and their N-oxides is reported. Previous electron impact studies on aromatic amine N-oxides reported the appearance of M-16 and/or M-17 ion peaks as the usual feature of the fragmentations. In our experiments, the representative fragmentation of the pyridazine N-oxides involves formation of a M-30 (M-NO) ion. The fragmentation patterns substantiated by extensive high resolution studies and the analysis of the appropriate metastable ions.     

Analysis of Fragmentation Pathways of Peptide Modified with Quaternary Ammonium and Phosphonium Group as Ionization Enhancers

Peptide modification by a quaternary ammonium group containing a permanent positive charge is a promising method of increasing the ionization efficiency of the analyzed compounds, making ultra-sensitive detection even at the attomolar level possible. Charge-derivatized peptides may undergo both charge remote (ChR) and charge-directed (ChD) fragmentation. A series of model peptide conjugates derivatized with N,N,N-triethyloammonium (TEA), 1-azoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (ABCO), 2,4,6-triphenylopyridinium (TPP) and tris(2,4,6-trimetoxyphenylo)phosphonium (TMPP) groups were analyzed by their fragmentation pathways both in collision-induced dissociation (CID) and electron-capture dissociation (ECD) mode. The effect of the fixed-charge tag type and peptide sequence on the fragmentation pathways was investigated. We found that the aspartic acid effect plays a crucial role in the CID fragmentation of TPP and TEA peptide conjugates whereas it was not resolved for the peptides derivatized with the phosphonium group. ECD spectra are mostly dominated by c_n ions. ECD fragmentation of TMPP-modified peptides results in the formation of intense fragments derived from this fixed-charge tag, which may serve as reporter ion.     

The structure and fragmentation of B n (n≥3) ions in peptide spectra

The unimolecular and low energy collision-induced fragmentation reactions of the MH⁺ ions of N-acetyl-tri-alanine, N-acetyl-tri-alanine methyl ester, N-acetyl-tetra-alanine, tetra-alanine, penta-alanine, hexa-glycine, and Leu-enkephalin have been studied with a particular emphasis on the formation and fragmentation of B _n (n=3,4,5) ions. In addition, the metastable ion fragmentation reactions of protonated tetra-glycine, penta-glycine, and Leu-enkephalin amide have been studied. B _n ions are prominent stable species in all spectra. The B _n ions fragment, in part, by elimination of CO to form A _n ions; this reaction occurs on the metastable ion time scale with a substantial release of kinetic energy (T _1/2=0. 3–0. 5 eV) that indicates that a stable configuration of the B _n ion fragments by way of a reacting configuration that is higher in energy than the fragmentation products, A _n + CO. Ab initio calculations strongly suggest that the stable configuration of the B₃ and B₄ ions is a protonated oxazolone formed by interaction of the developing charge with the next-nearest carbonyl group as HX is lost from the protonated species H-(Yyy) _n -X · H⁺. The higher B _n ions also fragment, in part, to form the next-lower B ion, presumably in its stable protonated oxazolone form. This reaction is rationalized in terms of the three-dimensional structure of the B _n ions and it is proposed that the neutral eliminated is an α-lactam.     

Effect of substituent group interaction in the fragmentation of some pyrrolidin-3-ones

The decomposition after electron impact of some N-alkyl and N-aryl pyrrolidin-3-ones has been examined and fragmentation mechanisms influenced by the substituents on the nitrogen have been observed. Accurate mass measurement, deuterium labelling, kinetic energy release measurements and metastable (DADI) ion abundances, permit the elucidation of the probable mechanism of formation of the most intense fragment ions. The available experimental evidence indicates the occurrence of rearrangement processes leading to important product ions in the mass spectra of the N-aryl derivatives. This type of fragmentation has been interpreted as the result of the combined action of two groups on the nitrogen atom of the heterocyclic nucleus.     

Intramolecular aromatic substitution reactions in substituted N,N-dimethylthiobenzamide ions

The molecular ions of N,N-dimethylthiobenzamide and its ortho substituted derivatives (substituents CH₃, Cl, Br, I) lose a hydrogen atom and/or the ortho substituent. The mechanism of this process has been studied by measurements of the ionization energies, appearance energies of the product ions m/z 164 and the kinetic energy release during this process. The structure of the product ions m/z 164 and relevant reference ions have been investigated by mass analysed ion kinetic energy spectra, B/E linked scan spectra and collision induced decompositions. The results show clearly the formation of two different kinds of product ions m/z 164 depending on the substituent lost. Type a ions are formed by loss of a H atom or the CH₃ substituent and correspond to protonated 3,4-benzo-N-methylpyroline-2-thione. The formation of these ions occurs by a hydrogen rearrangement followed by an intramolecular substitution via a 5-membered cyclic intermediate and is associated with a large release of kinetic energy. In contrast, the loss of the halogeno substituents to give type b ions probably occurs via a direct displacement reaction by the sulfur atom of the thioamide group giving rise to Gaussian shaped peaks mass analysed ion kinetic energy spectra.     

Change of the favored routes of EI MS fragmentation when proceeding from N1, N1‐dimethyl‐N2‐arylformamidines to 1,1,3,3‐tetraalkyl‐2‐arylguanidines: substituent effects

Although series of N¹, N¹‐dimethyl‐N²‐arylformamidines and of 1,1,3,3‐tetraalkyl‐2‐arylguanidines are structurally analogous and similar electron‐ionization mass spectral fragmentation may be expected, they display important differences in the favored routes of fragmentation and consequently in substituent effects on ion abundances. In the case of formamidines, the cyclization‐elimination process (initiated by nucleophilic attack of the N‐amino atom on the 2‐position of the phenyl ring) and formation of the cyclic benzimidazolium [M‐H]⁺ ions dominates, whereas the loss of the NR₂ group is more favored for guanidines. In order to gain information on the most probable structures of the principal fragments, quantum‐chemical calculations were performed on a selected set. A good linear relation between log{I[M‐H]⁺I [M]^+?} and σ_R⁺ constants of substituent at para position in the phenyl ring occurs solely for formamidines (r = 0.989). In the case of guanidines, this relation is not significant (r = 0.659). A good linear relation is found between log{I[M‐NMe₂]⁺/I [M]^+?} and σ_p⁺ constants (r = 0.993). Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.