Electron impact fragmentation of 2-arylhydrazonopropandioic acid derivatives

Examination of the mass spectra of eleven 2-arylhydrazonopropandioic acid derivatives reveals that a radical ion which is tentatively formulated as a 1H-diazirine species is produced in each case (except for the diphenyl este) by more than one process. Formation of what is formally the aryl amine radical ion occurs by a novel hydrogen rearrangement. Simple cleavage of the bonds β to either the aromatic ring or the C?N moiety also produces abundant ions. The diphenyl ester behaves anomalously yielding the phenol ion instead of the amine. The proposed mechanisms were confirmed by metastable studies, deuterium labelling and exact mass measurements.     

Positive and negative ion mass spectra of Aryl-ONN-azoxy compounds containing electron withdrawing groups

The positive and negative ion mass spectra, at 70 eV, of p-RC₆H₄N(O)?NCOOCH₃ (R?H, Cl, Br, NO₂), C₆H₅N(O)?NCOOC₂H₅, p-RC₆H₄N(O)?NCONH₂ (R?H, Cl, Br, NO₂) and p-RC₆H₄N(O)?NCOC₆H₅ (R?H, Cl, Br, NO₂) are reported. The azoxyester derivatives show abundant molecular ions and a number of weak fragment and rearrangement ions in the positive ion mass spectra, whereas weak molecular ions and abundant low mass fragment ions are present in the negative ion mass spectra. Similar behaviour is observed in the mass spectra of the azoxyamides. Conversely, for the azoxycarbonyl compounds the positive molecular ion is absent. A ready cleavage of the N? CO bond occurs and only few fragments of low diagnostic value are formed, whereas the negative molecular ion is the base peak for all these compounds with the exception of the p-NO₂ derivative, where [M? O]^?? is the base peak and [M]^?? is the second major ion. The behaviour under electron impact of these classes of compounds is compared with that of azoxycyanides reported previously.     

Spectrométrie de Masse—IV: Fragmentation des Dicétones—ϵ

The mass spectra of ten symmetrical ?-diketones are reported and a number of fragmentation patterns are documented by deuterium labelling experiments. The McLafferty rearrangement involving one of the carbonyl groups is not an important fragmentation pathway although such a double rearrangement is observed for long-chained ?-diketones. Special attention has been given to the ions resulting from the loss of either a molecule of water or the neutral species C₂H₄ which may involve an electron-impact induced formation of cyclobutanol-type ions analogous to the photochemical Yang's reaction.     

Differentiation of diasteromeric α-sulfanyl-β-amino acid derivatives by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

A set of diastereomeric α-sulfanyl-β-amino acid derivatives, which are important building blocks for pharmaceuticals with potent biological activity, are studied by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. The collision induced dissociation (CID) spectra of [M+H](+), [M+NH(4)](+), [M+Na](+) and [M+Li](+) of the diastereomers were studied, among them the CID of [M+Na](+) and [M+Li](+) showed consistent differences in the relative abundance of characteristic ions that enabled distinction of the anti isomers from syn isomers. The decomposition pathways for the diagnostic ions were arrived at based on high-resolution mass spectrometry data, multiple mass spectrometry data, deuterium labeling experiments and the mass shift in accordance with the substituents located at different places. Loss of (R(1)-C(6)H(4)-CH=NH) and (Cat-NH-SO(2)R(2)) from [M+Cat](+), where Cat=Na and Li, and the product ions as a results of McLafferty rearrangement involving either >S=O or >C=O group were found to be diagnostic. The McLafferty rearrangement product ions involving >S=O group were more abundant in syn isomers while those involving >C=O group were more abundant in anti isomer. The selectivity observed in the decomposition of [M+Li](+) ions was found to be similar to that of [M+Na](+) ions, but in few cases the differences are marginal in the decomposition [M+Li](+) ions.     

Electron-impact-induced rearrangements in the mass spectra of phosphinyl stabilized triphenylphosphonium ylides

Examination of the mass spectra of some methyl and phenyl phosphonate stabilized triphenylphosphonium ylides revealed that these compounds are quite stable to electron-impact and provided valuable structural information. They exhibit strong molecular and [M - H]⁺ ions, and fragment ions which are characteristic for the phosphonium or the phosphonate portion of the molecules. Numerous rearrangement ions were detected, however, the most prominent of which involves the migration of a phosphonate phenyl to the ylide carbon, leading to the base peak (m/e 352) in the spectrum of diphenyl triphenylphosphoranylidenemethylphosphonate. The mechanism of these fragmentations has been studied with the aid of high resolution analysis and deuterium labeled analogs whose preparation is reported.     

Electron impact induced migrations of aryl groups in substituted 4(3H)-quinazolinones

Electron impact mass spectra of 2-diphenylmethyl-3-aryl-4(3H)-quinazolinones display ions arising from migrations of different aryl groups in the molecular and [M? H]⁺ ions. The most abundant ion due to rearrangement, [C₁₃H₉NO]^+˙, is formed by migration of a phenyl from the benzhydryl group onto N-1 and subsequent cleavage of the heterocyclic ring. Other rearrangements involve initial migration of the N-3 aryl group to the benzylic carbon. The mechanisms of migrations were elucidated by means of deuterium and ¹⁵N labelling and are supported by metastable spectra.     

A McLafferty-type rearrangement of a trimethylsilyl group in silylated hydroxy carbonyl compounds

A McLafferty-type rearrangement of a trimethylsilyl group is demonstrated. Abundant rearrangement ions are formed for trimethylsilyl derivatives of α,β-dihydroxy carbonyl compounds. Data are given for a large number of hydroxy acids and hydroxy ketones including aldonic acids, aldaric acids, acyclic ketoses and hydroxy keto acids. A few branched lactones are also shown to rearrange. The positive charge and the unpaired electron are extensively delocalized in the odd-electron rearrangement ions. Those substituents at the α-carbon atom which offer a favourable delocalization promote the rearrangement. Spectra of specifically methylated species reveal that migration over larger than six-membered rings occurs to some extent. An observed dependence of abundance on configuration is associated with steric strains in the transition state. The rearrangement ions are of great diagnostic value in structural analysis. They are relatively more abundant at low electron energies and give rise to the base peak at 20 eV for many compounds. Ions produced by the competing conventional McLafferty rearrangement are less abundant.     

The mass spectra of diaziridinones

The electron-impact induced fragmentation of four N,N′-di-t-alkyl-substituted diaziridinones (I to IV) has been studied by both conventional and high resolution mass spectrometry. All diaziridinones exhibit weak molecular ions. Ejection of an alkyl isocyanate, corresponding to the N-alkyl substituent, from the molecular ion, is a dominant and general fragmentation process. Isocyanate-type odd-electron fragment ions occur only in III and IV (where at least one R group is phenyl) and are of low abundance. Elimination of a hydrocarbon radical from the tertiary alkyl substituents is observed in all compounds investigated. McLafferty rearrangement with elimination of a neutral alkene occurs in all compounds. Abundant even-electron hydrocarbon ions corresponding to the mass of the N-alkyl substituent are prevalent. The complete absence of elimination of carbon monoxide is noted. Loss of oxygen from the [M ? RCH²]+ species has been confirmed by accurate mass measurement. Several remarkable rearrangement reactions have been uncovered by high resolution studies and deuteration experiments.     

Mass spectrometric study of conjugated bifunctional acetylenes: 2—Ynals and ynones

This study is based on results obtained by new techniques for observing metastable ions which make it possible to determine the fragmentation paths of conjugated ynals and ynones. For the ynals, the most interesting fragment is the [M–28]⁺˙ ion. For the ynones, when a McLafferty rearrangement is feasible, the ion arising therefrom is more abundant than the [M? CO]^+. ion. However, this elimination of a neutral CO molecule is quite important for the true acetylene ketones.     

The mass spectra of some silver salts

Fifteen of twenty-four silver(I) carboxylates examined give useful electron impact mass spectra. The compounds vaporize at moderate temperatures, apparently mainly as dimer with traces of higher oligomer in only a few cases. The molecular ion for the dimer is generally weak or absent, with the most abundant silver containing ion being [Ag₂(O₂CR)]⁺ in most cases. Metastable defocusing and deuterium labeling experiments on silver acetate have established some of the fragmentation pathways. The reported loss of carbon dioxide from perfluorocarboxylates to give intense peaks for organosilver ions was not observed in this study. Attempts to obtain spectra on the silver salts of organic materials other than carboxylic acids were successful in several cases. Silver trifluoromethanesulfonate, although much less volatile, gives a spectrum and fragmentation very much like the carboxylates, whereas silver trifluoromethanethiolate gives a complex spectrum which suggests tetramer as a major gas phase species. Of three compounds examined which have silver to nitrogen bonding only silver(II) phthalocyanine is sufficiently volatile to give a spectrum without decomposition. The field desorption spectra of the four compounds examined all show the ions Ag_nX_{n ? 1} for X=acetate (n=1 ? 6), X=p-chlorobenzoate (n=1 ? 4), X=methanesulfonate (n=1 ? 7) and X=p-toluenesulfonate (n=1 ? 5).     

Kinetic studies in mass spectrometry—IV. The [M — Cl] reaction in substituted chlorobenzenes and the question of molecular ion isomerization.

The [M]⁺˙ → [M ? Cl]⁺ reaction in a series of m- and p-X substituted chlorobenzenes has been studied, utilizing a simple kinetic approach, comparison of metastable ion relative abundances, and by measurement of ionization and appearance potentials. All evidence obtained is consistent with rearrangement prior to cleavage in the molecular ions, in which substituent position becomes effectively randomized. These findings are related to known hydrogen randomization reactions occurring in either the molecular ion or [M ? Cl] ion of chlorobenzenes. Mechanisms involving carbon scrambling via such species as ionized benzvalenes or prismanes, or ring-opening to isomeric acyclic molecular ions in which hydrogen randomization might occur can be entertained, but mechanisms involving simple hydrogen shifts in the intact benzene ring appear less likely.     

The mass spectral fragmentation of phenyl ω-dialkoxyethyl tellurides

The 70 eV mass spectrum of phenyl ω-dimethoxyethyl telluride [C₆H₅? Te? CH₂CH(OR)₂, R?CH₃]contains an intense peak at m/z 238 which corresponds to a rearrangement ion [C₆H₅? Te? OR]⁺. The formation of this species is further illustrated by the presence of a peak at m/z 241 in the spectrum of the hexadeuterated analog (R?CD₃) and a peak at m/z 252 in the spectrum of the ethyl analog (R?CH₂CH₃). These combined results illustrate the presence of only one of the alkoxyl groups in the rearrangement ion. Several other abundant ions that contain oxygen but not tellurium are present in the spectra of these compounds. High resolution analyses have aided in the determination of the origin and composition of several of the characteristic ions formed upon electron impact fragmentation of phenyl ω-dimethoxyethyl telluride.     

Kinetic studies in mass spectrometry–VII: Competing cleavage and rearrangement processes in molecular ion decomposition reactions

Apparently competing cleavage and rearrangement reactions in a series of molecular ions have been studied by ionization and appearance potential methods, and by determination of the electron energy dependence of both normal and metastable daughter ion peak intensities. The processes investigated were (i) [M ? CH₃] vs. [M ? CH₂O] in anisole; (ii) [M ? OC₆H₅] vs. [M ? CO] in phenyl ether; (iii) [M ? NO₂] vs. [M ? NO] in nitrobenzene; (iv) [M ? C₃H₇] vs. [M ? C₂H₄] in butyrophenone: (v) [M ? C₃H₇] vs. [M ? C₃H₆] in n-butylbenzene; (vi) [M ? CH₂OH] vs. [M ? CH₂O] in 2-phenylethanol; (vii) [M ? CH₃CO₂] vs. [M ? CH₂CO] in benzyl acetate; and (viii) [M ? C₄H₉O] vs. [M ? C₄H₇] in n-butylbenzoate. The results are interpreted in terms of k vs. E curves with very different frequency factors for the two reaction types. Appearance potentials of metastable ions for the rearrangement reactions have also been measured.     

Electron impact mass spectra of polycyclic aromatic compounds with several types of pyridino- and benzobenzanthrone skeletons

Electron impact mass spectra were measured for five isomers of pyridinobenzanthrones and three isomers of benzobenzanthrones. The fragmentation pattern and intensity of M²⁺, [M – H]⁺, [M – CO]ⁱ⁺, [M – CO – H(or 2H)]ⁱ⁺ and [M – CO – HCN]ⁱ⁺ (i = 1, 2) ions indicated remarkable differences and very interesting features according to the isomers with or without nitrogen and condensation positions of a pyridino or benzo ring to the benzanthrone skeleton. Further, the competition of decompositions through [M – H]⁺, [M – CO]^+˙ or [M – HCN]^+˙ ions was confirmed by the observation of metastable ions and the appearance energies of fragment ions. Interesting observations from these results were expulsion of an H atom in close proximity to the area around an O?C group, a weak bonding interaction between sp² C? H and an O?C group, inducing specific hydrogen rearrangement, and characteristic charge localization on heteroatoms.     

High resolution mass spectrometric studies of some bicyclic γ-lactones

The mass spectra of three bicyclic γ-lactones have been studied, and the fragmentation pathways have been proposed with the aid of accurate mass measurements and metastable transitions. An unusually low [M ? CH₃] ion and the presence of an abundant [M ? C₅H₉] ion in the mass spectrum of dihydroactinidiolide were interpreted as a possible rearrangement involving a methyl migration. The eliminations of methyl radical, carbon monoxide and ketene are important processes in many cases.     

A fast atom bombardment and field ionization/field desorption study of some isomeric unsaturated dicarboxylic acids

Geometrically isomeric dicarboxylic acids, such as maleic and fumaric acid and their methyl homologues, and the isomeric phthalic acids, have been investigated using fast atom bombardment, field ionization and field desorption mass spectrometry. The most intense peak in the positive ion fast atom bombardment spectra corresponds with the [M + H]⁺ ion. This ion, when derived from the E -acids, tragments either by successive loss of water and carbon monoxide or by elimination of carbon dioxide. In the case of the Z -acids only elimination of water from the [M + H]⁺ ions is observed to occur to a significant extent. The same is true for the [M + H]⁺ ions of the isomeric phthalic acids, that is the [M + H] ions derived from iso- and terephthalic acid exhibit more fragmentation than those of phthalic acid. All these acids undergo much less fragmentation upon field ionization, where not only abundant [M + H]⁺ ions, but also abundant [M]^+· ions, are observed. Upon field desorption only the [M + H]⁺ and [M + Na]⁺ ions are observed under the measuring conditions. Negative ion fast atom bombardment spectra of the acids mentioned have also been recorded. In addition to the most abundant [M? H]^? ions relatively intense peaks are observed, which correspond with the [M]^?˙ ions. The fragmentations observed for these ions appear to be quite different from those reported in an earlier electron impact study and in a recent atmospheric pressure ionization investigation.     

Participation of halogen atoms in hydrogen transfer between remote positions in gas-phase ionized isomeric haloresorcinols

Mono, di- and trihaloresorcinols substituted by a halogen atom at position 2 exhibit a highly specific elimination of H₂O on electron impact ionization and under conditions of collisionally induced dissociation (CID). The high isomer specificity suggests the intermediacy of a hydrogen transfer from one of the hydroxy groups to the adjacent halogen atom. A subsequent hydrogen migration to the other hydroxy group readily explains the facile elimination of H₂O from the M^+· ions of these particular isomers. An analogous three-step hydrogen transfer has not been observed in 2,3-dihalo-l,4-hydroquinones. 4-Bromo- and 4-icdoresorcinol undergo elimination of the halogen atom followed by a very fast loss of CO under CID conditions, affording [M ? Hal]⁺ ions of low abundance and highly abundant[M ? Hal ? CO]⁺ ions. The elimination of CO is suppressed in the isomeric 5-haloresorcinols, resulting in very highly abundant [M ? Hal]⁺ ions. This behavior suggests that a ‘hidden hydrogen transfer’ accompanies the elimination of the halogen atom from the molecular ions of 4-haloresorcinols.     

Rearrangement of dicarboranyl methyl cation to icosahedral C3B9H12+: An ab initio dynamics view

Closo-carborane anions are prominent, whereas the cations of the same are less abundant in the literature. As these ions have similar size and are weakly coordinating, the ionic liquids of these two ions could have important applications in many areas of chemistry. In view of limited number of polyhedral carborane cations available, we revisited the rearrangement of dicarboranyl methyl cation (7-CH₂ 7,9-nido-C₂B₉H₁₀⁺) using ab initio molecular dynamics calculations with metadynamics. Our simulations confirmed the concerted mechanism of the rearrangement. We believe this work will resume the interest in its synthesis and carborane cations in general.     

A study of the ortho effects and rearrangement processes in the mass spectra of 2-arylaminothiazine and -thiazoline derivatives

The behaviour of the title compounds under electron impact has been investigated using low and high resolution mass spectrometry and partial ¹⁵N and D labelling. A number of ions produced by rearrangement were observed. Abundant ions are formed by intramolecular ortho substitution reactions (cyclizations), as demonstrated by energetic and kinetic considerations and by studying the decomposition pathways of these ions. The ortho substitution processes involve loss or rearrangement of an ortho group of the aromatic ring.     

Electron impact and chemical ionization mass spectra of alkyldiphenylphosphine oxides

In the 70 e V electron impact mass spectra of a series of alkyldiphenylphosphine oxides (R?₂PO, R = Me, Et, n-Pr, i-Pr, n-Bu, i-Bu, t-Bu, neopentyl, n-decyl), molecular ions of low abundance are observed and [M + H]⁺ ions are formed to a small extent at high sample pressures. The major ions include [?₂PO]⁺, [?₂POH]⁺; [?₂CH₂PO]⁺ and [?₂CH₂POH]⁺ which are formed by rearrangement and cleavage processes. The chemical ionization mass spectra obtained with methane and isobutane reagents consist of [M + H]⁺ ions. The proton affinity of R?₂PO was found to be 219 ± 2.5 kcal mol^?1.