An unusual pathway for the elimination of hydrogen cyanide from benzonitrile upon electron impact as revealed by 13C and 15N labelling

It is shown by ¹⁵N and specific ¹³C labelling that ～50% of the molecules of hydrogen cyanide, eliminated within ～10^?6 s upon electron impact of benzonitrile, contains the original cyano carbon atom, whereas the remaining percentage contains one of the phenyl ring carbon atoms at random. This is even more dramatic for the molecular ions of benzonitrile which decompose in the first and second field-free regions of the VG Micromass ZAB-2F high-field mass spectrometer used. Then only 5–7% of the eliminated molecules of hydrogen cyanide contains the original cyano carbon atom. A cycloaddition-cycloreversion process in the molecular ions, leading to ionized 1-cyano-1,3-hexadien-5-yne as an intermediate in the hydrogen cyanide loss, is proposed to explain this.     

The mass spectra of some simple phenylhydrazides and a re-examination of the fragmentations of phenylhydrazine

The elimination of small neutral fragments from acetyl-, formyl- and ethoxycarbonyl- phenylhydrazines with formation of [C6H8N2]⁺? ions has been studied. Evidence is obtained from deuterium labelling and from metastable peak intensity ratios, to show that ketene loss from both acetylphenylhydrazines is accompanied (or preceded) by hydrogen transfer to the acylated nitrogen atom to give ions structurally analogous to the phenylhydrazine molecular ion. The decomposing [C6H8N2]⁺? ions formed from formyl- and ethoxycarbonylphenylhydrazines are also suggested to have a phenylhydrazine-like structure. In the molecular ion of phenylhydrazine interchange occurs between the two ortho hydrogen atoms and two of the three hydrazine hydrogens prior to decomposition; labelling data suggest that the N-1 hydrogen does not participate in the interchange process.     

Mass spectrometry of aralkyl compounds with a functional group—XII: Unorthodox elimination of hydrogen cyanide from hydrogen randomized molecular ions of benzylcyanide and of o-, m- and p-cyanobenzylcyanides,revealed by D-, 13C- acid 15N-labelling

Specific D-labelling in the side-chain and in the phenyl ring, ¹³C-labelling in the benzylic position and in the cyano group and ¹⁵N-labelling in the cyano group of benzylcyanide show, that the molecular ion, decomposing in the second field free region, i.e. having a low internal energy, loses hydrogen cyanide with participation of both side-chain carbon atoms (22% benzylic carbon and 78% cyano carbon) after a complete randomization of all hydrogens. This sharply contrasts with the loss of hydrogen cyanide from the hydrogen randomized molecular ion, decomposing in the ion source, where the original cyano group is involved exclusively. The molecular ions of (o, m, p)-cyanobenzylcyanides, decomposing in the ion source as well as in the second field free region, also lose hydrogen cyanide, involving to some extent (6 to 15%) a carbon atom, different from that of the side-chain cyano group, after an extensive randomization of hydrogens as shown by specific D-labelling in several positions and by ¹³C- and ¹⁵N-labelling in the side-chain cyano group. Furthermore, the molecule of hydrogen cyanide, eliminated in the ion source and in the second field free region, appears to contain predominantly the side-chain cyano group (±70%), thus suggesting that few or none of the molecular ions have rearranged to a seven membered ring.     

The formation of [C9H10]+˙ ions by loss of a molecule of water from molecular ions of 3-phenylpropanol with lifetimes of 10−11 to 10−5 s

Field ionization kinetic experiments in conjunction with deuterium labelling have been shown that the molecular ions of 3-phenylpropanol with lifetimes as short as 10^?11s lose a molecule of water via a specific 1,3 elimination. At times > 10^?11s two distinct hydrogen interchange processes in the molecular ions appear to complete with this reaction. One of the intechange processes involves the benzylic and hydroxylic hydrogen atoms and starts to complete with the elimination of water at shorter molecular ion lifetimes than the other interchange process in which the ortho hydrogen atoms also participate. Decomposing [C₉H₁₀]^+˙ ions generated by elimination of water from the molecular ions of 3-phenylpropanol or by direct ionization of various isomeric C₉H₁₀ compounds could not be distinguished adequately, illustrating isomerization either to a common ion structure or to a set of ions with rapidly interconverting structures. A consideration of the energetics of the elimination of water from 3-phenylpropanol suggests that at threshold energies 1-phenylpropene or indane type structures can be formed. Arguments for the latter have been obtained from the observation that a labile fluorine atom is present in the [M – H₂O]^+˙ ions generated from 3-pentafluoro-phenylpropanol.     

The formation of [CH5O]+ and ions from the molecular ions of isobutyl alcohol

On the basis of field ionization kinetic and deuterium labelling experiments, it is shown that the molecular ions of isobutyl alcohol generate [CH₅O]⁺ ions at 10^?11 s via a 1,4-shift of a hydrogen atom from one of the methyl groups to the oxygen atom, followed by a 1,2-elimination of protonated methanol with a hydrogen atom of the other methyl group. At times > 10^?11 s two distinct interchange processes between hydrogen atoms appear to compete with this reaction, as shown from field ionization kinetic experiments and metastable decompositions. Ion cyclotron resonance experiments on the long-lived [CH₅O]⁺ ions further demonstrate that they are protonated methanol ions. Arguments are put forward that the ions, generated by a specific 1,3-elimination of a molecule of water from metastable decomposing molecular ions, have an isobutene structure.     

Elimination of water from the molecular ion of cycloheptanol

Under electron impact cycloheptanol decomposes by four fragmentation paths: (1) α-cleavage with subsequent losses of C¹-C⁵ fragments, (2) elimination of water, (3) loss of the hydrogen atom from C-1 and (4) loss of the hydroxyl group. The mechanism of water elimination was investigated by means of deuterium labelling. 1,4-Elimination of water predominates in cycloheptanol, with the stereospecific cis-1,3-elimination also being operative. The loss of water is preceded by extensive exchange of the hydroxyl hydrogen with those of the ring. This is attributed to a very facile transannular interaction of the hydroxyl group with the C-3 to C-6 positions that are made accessible due to conformational properties of the 7-membered ring. A kinetic model is proposed, describing migrations of the ring hydrogen atoms.     

Gas phase reactions of protonated 1,3-diphenylpropyne and some isomeric [C15H13]+ ions

Metastable (3-phenyl-2-propynyl)benzenium ions, generated by electron impact induced fragmentation from the appropriately substituted 1,4-dihydrobenzoic acid, react by loss of ˙CH₃ and C₆H₆. The study of deuterated derivatives reveals that hydrogen/deuterium exchanges involving all hydrogen and deuterium atoms precede the fragmentations. The results suggest a skeletal rearrangement by electrophilic ring-closure reactions giving rise to protonated phenylindene and protonated 9,10-methano-9,10-dihydroanthracene prior to the elimination of C₆H₆ and ˙CH₃, respectively. A study of isomeric [C₁₅H₁₃]⁺ ions by collision-induced decomposition and by deuterium labelling shows that these ions interconvert by hydrogen migrations and skeletal rearrangements.     

[M + 11]+˙ and [M + 11]−˙ ions in the nitrogen positive and negative ion chemical ionization mass spectra of aromatic amines

The N₂ negative ion chemical ionization (NICI) mass spectra of aniline, aminonaphthalenes, aminobiphenyls and aminoanthracenes show an unexpected addition appearing at [M + 11]^?˙. This addition is also observed in the N₂ positive chemical ionization (PCI) mass spectra. An ion at [M – 15]^? is found in the NICI spectra of aminoaromatics such as aniline, 1- and 2-aminonaphthalene and 1- and 2-aminoanthracene. Ion formation was studied using labeled reagents, variation of ion source pressure and temperature and examination of ion chromatograms. These experiments indicate that the [M + 11]^?˙, [M – 15]^?˙ and [M + 11]^+˙ ions result from the ionization of analytes altered by surface-assisted reactions. Experiments with ¹⁵N₂, [¹⁵N] aniline, [2,3,4,5,6-²H₅] aniline and [¹³C₆] aniline show that the [M + 11]^?˙ ion corresponds to [M + N – 3H]^?˙. The added nitrogen originates from the N₂ buffer gas and the addition occurs with loss of one ring and two amino group hydrogens. Fragmentation patterns in the N₂ PCI mass spectrum of aniline suggest that the neutral product of the surface-assisted reaction is 1,4-dicyanobuta-1,3-diene. Experiments with diamino-substituted aromatics show analogous reactions resulting in the formation of [M – 4H]^?˙ ions for aromatics with ortho-amino groups. Experiments with methylsubstituted aminoaromatics indicate that unsubstituted sites ortho to the amino group facilitate nitrogen addition, and that methyl groups provide additional sites for nitrogen addition.     

Fragmentation of acylium ions from methyl levulinate. Isomerization processes involving carbon and oxygen atoms of both carbonyl groups

The fragmentations of the acylium ions O?C⁺? CH₂? CH₂? CO₂CH₃ and O?C⁺? CH₂? CH₂? COCH₃ generated from methyl levulinate are governed extensively by the interaction of the two carbonyl groups. Both species eliminate a molecule of CO unimolecularly and under CID conditions. The results derived from measurements of ¹³C and ¹⁸O labelled precursors, together with kinetic energy release values, have been used to study the mechanisms. In the first of these acylium ions, both carbonyl groups are equivalent; this phenomenon can be the result of a 1,4 methoxy shift. In the second acylium ion, only the oxygen atoms change their positions; this isomerization occurs via the [M? H]⁺ of γ-valerolactone. Some other fragmentation processes also discussed in relation to ²H labelling are the formation of the [M ? COOCH₃] ⁺ ion and the loss of HCOOCH₃ in the collision-induced dissociation mass spectra of the first acylium ion, and the formation of the [CH₃CO]⁺ ion and the loss of H₂O for the second one.     

High resolution mass spectrometry.—II Some substituted benzothiazoles

The mass spectra of nineteen substituted benzothiazoles have been recorded and the identity of the various ions in the mass spectra has been established by high resulution (accurate) mass measurement. Deuterium labelling has been used to elucidate the fragmentation processes of these compounds. The parent compound of the series, benzothiazole, exhibits the loss of hydrogen cyanide and carbon monosulphide from the parent ion as the most important decomposition pathways. The hydrogen atom concerned in the loss of hydrogen cyanide is shown to originate from the 2-position of benzothiazole, while in 2-substituted benzothiazoles, different mechanisms are apparent for the loss of hydrogen cyanide, and these are clarified by deuterium labelling. Some substituted benzothiazoles can lose sulphur from their molecular ions, a process which does not occur in benzothiazole itself. The substituted benzothiazoles undergo many other types of fragmentations, in some cases retaining the substituent, and in other cases losing it prior to collapse of the thiazole ring.     

On the exchange of cyanide with acetonitrile. A test of theoretical calculations

- The theoretically predicted formation of an adduct between cyanide and anhydrous acetonitrile was tested experimentally; no evidence for such a complex was found. The previously reported radioactivity loss in the reactions of cyanide - ¹⁴C in acetonitrile solutions was possibly due to protonation and loss of hydrogen cyanide, since no exchange between cyanide and acetonitrile was evidenced within the sensitivity limits of ¹³C labelling. Potassium cyanide and carbonate in the presence of 18-crown-6 ether catalyze the H/D exchange between acetonitrile and trideuteroacetonitrile.     

The Mass Spectrometric Fragmentation of 1-Alkyl Ions derived from Halides

The mass-spectrometric fragmentation of n-pentyl, n-hexyl, n-octyl and n-nonyl ions has been studied using ¹³C- and D-labelling. The ions were produced from the corresponding halide ions. The loss of an olefin as a neutral fragment is the main reaction. The elimination of this fragment must be by a complex mechanism, since the terminal carbon atoms have the smallest probability of being lost with the neutral fragment. On chains with five to six carbon atoms, hydrogen scrambling seems to preceed the fragmentation; this is not true for hydrogen on terminal positions of longer chains. Ring formation prior to the fragmentation could explain some of the results; but no reasonable conclusion could be reached.     

Mass spectra of 1,2,4-triazoles—II: Alkyl 1,2,4-triazoles

The mass spectra of monomethyl 1,2,4-triazoles contain fragment ions produced by specific cleavage of the heterocyclic ring. A major fragmentation from many molecular ions involves the elimination of HCN, but loss of N₂ is either very small or completely absent. No N or H scrambling occurs within the triazole ring system, as evidenced by labelling studies. The loss of a hydrogen atom from the molecular ions of 3-alkyl-1,2,4-triazoles (alkyl ? C₂H₅) originates from hydrogens attached to the β carbon and nitrogen atoms.     

Synthesis,crystal structure and spectroscopic properties of a chiral cyano-bridged heterobinuclear complex, (4 S ,11 S )-[Cu(1,7-CT)( μ -CN)Fe(CN)4NO] · H2O

The chiral complex, (4S,11S)-[Cu(1,7-CT)(μ-CN)Fe(CN)₄NO] ·?H₂O (1,7-CT =?5,5,7,12,12,14-hexamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradeca-1,7-diene), and its enantiomer have been synthesized by reaction and conglomerate crystallization. They consist of heterobinuclear species in which the Cu and Fe centers are linked by a cyanide bridge and crystalline water. The Cu(II) is coordinated by five N atoms and exhibits a distorted square-pyramidal geometry, in which two hydrogen atoms on secondary amines lie in the inward side of the macrocyclic plane, while on the other moiety the Fe(II) is a slightly distorted octahedral structure. The binuclear molecules are linked through intermolecular O2–H2A···N1 and O2–H2B···N4 hydrogen bonds, forming two different waved chains that oriented the molecules for optical activity. IR spectrum shows the existence of bridging cyanide ligand. In methanol the specific rotations of enantiomers are ±205 deg ·?cm² ·?(10 g)^?1, the peak positions of their circular dichroism spectra are close to that of their UV-Vis spectra and present up and down symmetric signals.     

High resolution mass spectrometry—V: Cyclic esters of aliphatic α-hydroxy acids

The main fragmentation sequences of glycollide and its homologues are initiated by fission of a CO? O bond, leading to the formation of fragment ions of low, m/e, such as [R¹CO]⁺ and [CR¹R²CCO]⁺. When a hydrogen atom is present on a ring carbon atom, 1,3 hydrogen migration occurs to produce [CHR²OH]⁺. In case where a ring carbon atom carries an alkylchain ? C₂H₅, a McLafferty rearrangement occurs with the adjacent carbonyl group. When both ring carbon atoms are dimethyl substituted, a 1,4 hydrogen migration must be invoked to account for the observed fragmentation sequence.     

The Mass Spectrometric Fragmentation of 1-Heptyl Ions Derived from the Corresponding Halides

We have studied the fragmentation of 1-heptyl ions resulting from the loss of halogen from the corresponding halide ions. All positions had been labelled with D and ¹³C, some positions even doubly labelled. The main processes are the loss of propene and, to a lesser extent, ethylene as neutral fragments. All carbon atoms have a definite probability of being lost with the olefin, those which are terminal having the smallest chance; this precludes an important contribution by direct scission. The source-and the metastable-decomposition produced much the same isotopic distribution in the fragments. The terminal hydrogen atoms also have a small chance of being rearranged, whereas those at non-terminal positions show extensive scrambling. It seems that the fragmentation proceeds via cyclic structures which are rapidly attained and equilibrated amongst each other, but our results do not warrant suggestion of a detailed model.     

2,6‐Bis[bis(2‐pyridiniomethyl)aminomethyl]‐4‐tert‐butylphenol dichloride diperchlorate hydrate

The title compound, C₃₆H₄₄N₆O⁴⁺·2Cl^?·2ClO₄^?·0.132H₂O, is shown to be protonated at all the pyridine N atoms; the two chloride ions are hydrogen bonded to three pyridine N atoms and to the phenolic O atom of the same cation [Cl?N = 3.045 (2)–3.131 (2) Å and Cl?O = 2.938 (2) Å], and the remaining pyridine N atom is hydrogen bonded to the phenolic O atom [N?O = 2.861 (2) Å]. The mean value of the C—N—C angle of the protonated pyridine rings is 123.4 (1)°, which is significantly larger than that found for unprotonated pyridine rings.     

The extent of electron-impact-induced ring contraction in the formation of [M − CH3] fragments from N-acetylpiperidine

In N-acetylpiperidine, α-carbon atoms (C-2 or C-6) of the ring have been recently identified as a source of loss of CH₃ radicals from the molecular ion in addition to β-carbon atoms (C-3 or C-5) and the acyl substituent (C-8). Skeletal rearrangement by ring contraction to a five-membered cyclic intermediate was invoked to be responsible for the expulsion of C-2 or C-6. Deuterium labelling suggested major and approximately equal contributions from the two losses of ring atoms as compared to an only minor contribution from loss of C-8. ¹³C-labelling of the latter now establishes the correctness of this inference, demonstrating that only 17% of the total loss of methyl arise from this position. Together with results of previous deuterium labelling this figure indicates that ring contraction contributes to the formation of [M ? CH₃] fragments to an extent of approximately 40%.     

The two‐dimensional coordination polymer poly[[bis(3‐methyl­pyridine)­cadmium(II)]‐tetra‐μ‐cyano‐nickel(II)]

The title complex, [CdNi(CN)₄(C₆H₇N)₂]_n, adopts a slightly distorted octahedral geometry around the Cd centre. Four cyanide N atoms occupy the equatorial coordination sites around the Cd centre. The structure consists of corrugated and cyanide‐bridged polymeric networks made up of tetracyano­nickelate ions coordinated to cadmium, with the Ni ion coordinated by four cyanide ligands in a square‐planar arrangement. The Cd and Ni atoms occupy special positions of 2/m site symmetry. The 3‐methyl­pyridine group, except for two methyl H atoms, lies on a crystallographic mirror plane. The 3‐methyl­pyridine molecules, bound to cadmium in trans positions, are located on both sides of the network. The bonding in the networks occurs because of a departure of the Ni—C—N—Cd sequence of atoms from linearity at the C and N atoms.     

Specific and random fragmentations in the mass spectra of some neopentyl compounds

The mass spectra of neopentyl alcohol, bromide and chloride and some ¹³C and ²H labelled analogues have been studied. Most fragmentations of the molecular ions of these compounds occur by simple bond cleavages and do not involve rearrangement before fragmentation. We propose that in the [M ? CH₃]⁺ fragment ions, seven of the eight hydrogen atoms and all four carbon atoms are involved in randomisation when an ethylene molecule is ejected. The eighth hydrogen atom (which comes from a methyl group) is probably associated with the heteroatom. The neopentylcation, observed only in the mass spectrum of the bromide, fragments mainly by loss of an ethylene molecule, also containing randomly selected hydrogen and carbon atoms. The [C₄H₇]⁺ ion also was observed to undergo complete atom scrambling.