Electron ionization mass spectra of novel 2,3:4,5-bis-O-(1-methylethylidene)-β-D-fructopyranose derivatives and related sugar sulfamates

The electron-impact (EI) mass spectral fragmentation of ten bis-O- (1-methylethylidene)fructopyranose derivatives and three related sugar sulfamates were investigated. In particular, 2,3:4,5-bis-O - (1-methylethylidene)-β-D-fructopyranose sulfamate (topiramate), a potent anticonvulsant, was examined in greater detail. The fragmentation of the 2,3:4,5-bis-O-(1-methylethylidene) fructopyranose derivatives in general was not very dependent on the nature of substitution; the mechanisms of the common and unique fragmentation patterns are presented. These compounds showed characteristic peaks at m/z [M – 15]⁺, [M – 15 – 58]⁺, [M – 15 – 58 – 60]⁺, [M ? CH₂X]⁺ and [M ? CH₂X – 58]⁺ where X = OSO₂NR₂ (R ? H, CH₃, and/or Ph), OC (O)NHR, NH₂, CI and OH. The fragmentation of isomeric bis-O-(1-methylethylidene) derivatives of aldopyranose, ketopyranose and ketofuranose sulfamates was also investigated. The results indicate that isomeric sugar sulfamates can be easily distinguished in the EI mode. Key fragmentation pathways are discussed for these compounds.     

Mass spectral fragmentation pathways of N-acetylnitramines: 1-acetylhexahydro-3,5-dinitro-1,3,5-triazine and 1-acetyloctahydro-3,5,7-trinitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine

Mass spectra of the N-acetylnitramines l-acetylhexahydro-3,5-dinitro-l,3,5-triazine (TAX) and 1-acetyloctahydro-3,5,7-trinitro-l,3,5,7-tetrazocine (SEX) were recorded in electron impact (EI) and positive and negative chemical ionization (PCI and NCI) modes, and the fragmentation pathways were compared with those of other nitramines which have been well documented and characterized. Unexpectedly, for both acetylnitramines in the EI mode (and in the PCI mode) proton adducts were the only molecular ion species observed; in neither mode was there evidence for higher adducts. In contrast, for TAX in the NCI mode the [M + NO₂]^? adduct was the second most abundant ion (70%); relatively small amounts of the [M + NO]^? adduct (2%) and the hydrogen adduct [MH]^? (3%) were observed. Under identical NCI conditions no molecular ion species or adduct ions were detected for SEX; the ion of highest m/z corresponded to loss of NO₂ or HNO₂ from a molecular ion species. The findings of collision-induced dissociation experiments are also discussed.     

Electron ionization and chemical ionization mass spectra of pyridinium and isoquinolinium ylides

Electron ionization (EI) spectra and both positive and negative chemical ionization (CI) spectra have been obtained for four isoquinolinium ylides and two pyridinium ylides. Electron transfer reactions dominate the CI mass specra. The base peak in negative chemical ionization is the [M]^?· ion, formed by electron capture. In the positive methane CI spectra the molecular ion, [M]^+·, is relatively more intense than [MH]⁺ showing electron transfer to be the main positive ionization process. In the positive ammonia CI spectra, proton transfer to give [MH]⁺ is the main ionization process, but electron transfer is also observed. The EI spectra show fragmentations in which the aromatic nitrogen moiety retains the charge and fragmentation is by loss of radicals or small neutral molecules from the side-chains. Radical driven reactions are proposed to explain these spectra.     

Mass-spectrometric differentiation of diexo- and diendo-fused isomers of norbornane/ene-condensed 2-thiouracil and 1,3-thiazino[3,2-a]-pyrimidine derivatives: Stereoselectivity of retro-Diels-Alder fragmentations under EI and CI conditions

The stereoisomers of the title compounds produce nearly identical electron ionization (EI) mass spectra, which are dominated in the case of the norbornene-condensed derivatives by retro-Diels-Alder (RDA) fragmentation of the hydrocarbon ring. The RDA fragmentation mainly occurs with H transfer and gives rise to [M-C₅H₅]⁺. For the norbornane-condensed derivatives, the main fragmentation routes include the formation of [M-C₅H₇]⁺ (protonated thiouracil) and [M-C₇H₉]⁺ (only from thiazinopyrimidines). The latter species are formed via RDA decomposition of the pyrimidone subunit of the heterocyclic system, a process previously observed for cyclohexane-condensed analogs of these compounds. Only minor differences could be detected between the EI spectra of the diexo and diendo isomers. Under chemical ionization (CI) conditions, the norbornane-condensed compounds produced no significant fragment peaks with either isobutane or methane as reagent gas. In contrast, the isobutane and methane CI spectra of the norbornene-condensed compounds exhibited prominent peaks of [MH-C₅H₆]⁺ and [(M+C_xH_y)-C₅H₆]⁺ originating from moderately stereoselective RDA fragmentations. The relative abundances of the RDA ions obtained from the respective stereoisomers with the same reagent gas were consistently different over a range of experimental conditions. The non-occurrence of RDA fragmentation of the thiazinopyrimidine ring under CI conditions suggested that its energy of activation is higher than that for either of the norbornene-ring RDA fragmentations (with or without H transfer) observed under EI and CI conditions.     

Development of a new electron ionization/field ionization ion source for gas chromatography/time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry

We have developed a combined EI/FI source for gas chromatography/orthogonal acceleration time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (GC/oaTOFMS). In general, EI (electron ionization) and FI (field ionization) mass spectra are complementary: the EI mass spectrum contains information about fragment ions, while the FI mass spectrum contains information about molecular ions. Thus, the comparative study of EI and FI mass spectra is useful for GC/MS analyses. Unlike the conventional ion sources for FI and EI measurements, the newly developed source can be used for both measurements without breaking the ion source vacuum or changing the ion source. Therefore, the combined EI/FI source is more preferable than the conventional EI or FI ion source from the viewpoint of the reliability of measurements and facility of operation. Using the combined EI/FI source, the complementarity between EI and FI mass spectra is demonstrated experimentally with n‐hexadecane (100 pg): characteristic fragment ions for the n‐alkane such as m/z 43, 57, 71, and 85 are obtained in the EI mass spectrum, while only the parent peak of m/z 226 (M⁺) without any fragment ions is observed in the FI mass spectrum. Moreover, the field desorption (FD) measurement is also demonstrated with poly(ethylene glycol)s M600 (10 ng) and M1000 (15 ng). Signals of [M+H]⁺, [M+Na]⁺ and [M+K]⁺ are clearly detected in the FD mass spectra. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The isomerization mechanism of alkylamines: Structure of [C2H6N]+ and [C3H8N]+ fragment ions

The MIKE spectra of amines RCH₂NH₂ containing more than five carbon atoms exhibit m/z 44 and m/z 58 peaks. The structures of these [C₂H₆N]⁺ and [C₃H₈N]⁺ ions have been established by collisional activation spectra. The results are in agreement with the fragmentation mechanisms previously proposed.     

Mass Spectra of Furfuryl Aldoximes and Ketoximes

The mass spectra of 8 furfuryl aldoximes and ketoximes were studied under EI and CI conditions. Complicated fragmentation patterns were obtained in EI conditions, including formation of a furfuryl cation radical, furfuryl cation, and [M-17]⁺. The relatively simple patterns of cleavage resulted in few major ion peaks contributed from the adducts, protonation products, and dehydration products under CH₄-CI and NH₃-CI conditions. Comparison with the spectra of their isomeric amides indicated no evidence that the isomerization took place from oximes before fragmentation in both ionization methods.     

Fragmentation and rearrangement reactions in certain 1,2,3-triaryl-2-propen-1-ones following electron impact and chemical ionization

The electron impact (EI) and chemical ionization (CI) mass spectra of certain 1,2,3-triaryl-2-propen-1-ones (TAPs) have been studied in detail with the help of exact mass measurements, deuterium labelling and metastable data. The E- and Z-isomeric pairs do not show any difference in their behaviour under EI or CH₄ CI conditions. EI-induced rearangement reactions in the TAPs include aryl migration to carbonium ion centres. A study of the metastable transitions reveals aryl group interchange in the molecular ions prior to fragmentation. Under EI conditions loss of arene involves either C(2) or C(3) aryl groups while under CI conditions the C(1) aryl is lost as a neutral arene molecule. Mechanisms for the different fragmentation modes are given.     

Mass spectra of some α-substituted phenyl-α,α′-dimethoxyl ketones and their derivatives

The mass spectra of some α-substituted phenyl-α,α′-dimethoxyl ketones (compounds 1) and their 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazones (compounds 2) and semicarbazones (compounds 3) have been studied. The characteristic fragments at m/z (M ? 73) from compounds 1, m/z (M ? 253) from compounds 2 and m/z (M ? 130) from compounds 3 are abundant and proposed to be [ArCROCH₃]⁺. Fragmentations yielding [M⁺ ? 49] from compounds 2 are abnormal and probably involve the methoxyl and nitro groups. The intense peak at m/z 130 due to [CH₃OCH₂CNNHCONH₂]⁺ from compounds 3 corresponds to α-cleavage of the molecular ion. Some other fragments from these new compounds are interpreted in this paper.     

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.     

Rearrangements in aryl substituted α, β-unsaturated nitriles. A collisional activation study

The rearrangement reactions following electron ionization in a number of aryl substituted conjugated nitriles have been studied using labelled compounds and collisional activation (CA) spectroscopy. The results indicate that α-phenyl cinnamonitriles and 9,10-dihydro-9-cyanophenanthrene rearrange to a common intermediate which loses CH₃˙ or CH₂CN˙ to give the ions at m/z 190 and 165. The CA spectrum of the deuterated analogue (compound 2) shows that there is a complete hydrogen scrambling prior to the loss of the CH₃˙ radical. The fluoroderivatives (compounds 5 and 6) behave similarly to the parent nitrile. The introduction of chlorine or bromine into the aromatic ring alters the fragmentation pattern and the only favoured decomposition pathway is the loss of a halogen radical. The CA spectra of the doubly charged ions at m/z 102 and 88 are also discussed. The CA spectrum of the M ⁺˙ ion 1,1-dicyano-2-phenyl ethylene is characterized by the presence of a rearrangement ion atm/z 103 (PhCN^{+ ˙}).     

Mass spectra of halogenated esters 5—Chloromethyl esters of aliphatic C2?C12 n-carboxylic acids and their monochlorinated derivatives

A study has been made of the mass spectral fragmentation upon electron impact of aliphatic C₂? C₁₂ chloromethyl esters and all their 66 monochlorinated derivatives. The fragmentation pathways of the parent chloromethyl esters were elucidated with the aid of the 1st FFR metastable ions. A McLafferty rearrangement gives the base peak in the C₆? C₁₁ parent esters and in almost all the 4-chloro and ω-chloro isomers. The subsequent loss of HCl gives a very characteristic peak of the chloromethyl esters and their (3-ω)-chloro derivatives at m/z 72, [C₃H₄O₂]⁺. The 2-chloro isomers have the corresponding chlorine-containing fragment ion at m/z 106/108. The mass spectra of 2-, 3-, 4-, 5- and ω-chloro isomers give the characteristic fragment ions, the mass spectra of the other isomers being very similar.     

Electron impact-induced fragmentation of 15N-labelled 1,2,4-triazoles

The electron impact-induced fragmentation patterns of 3,5-diphenyl-lH-1,2,4-[4-¹⁵N]triazole, 4-ethyl-3,5-diphenyl-4H-1,2,4-[4-¹⁵N]triazole, l-ethyl-3,5-diphenyl-lH-1,2,4-[4-¹⁵N]triazole and the corresponding unlabelled compounds were established from exact mass measurements and from metastable ion evidence. Evidence for two fragmentation mechanisms was established for the formation of the m/z 104 peak in the spectrum of the 4-ethyl compound. Only the 1-alkylated triazole exhibited an intense peak at m/z 131. Major peaks at m/z 221 (222) and 118 are characteristic of the investigated triazoles.     

Positive electron impact and chemical ionization mass spectra of some nitramine nitrates

The positive electron impact (EI) and isobutane chemical ionization (CI) mass spectra of six nitramine nitrates were studied with the aid of some accurate mass measurements. In the EI spectra, β fission relative to both the nitramine and nitrate ester is important. In the CI spectra a major ion occurs at [MH – 45]⁺ and was found to be mainly due to [M + 2H ? NO₂]⁺. All of the compounds except N-(2 hydroxyethyl)-N-(2′,4′,6′-trinitrophenyl)nitramine nitrate gave an [MH]⁺ ion. The [MH – 45]⁺ ion in the isobutane CI mass spectra of tetryl is also due to [M + 2H ? NO₂]⁺.     

Electron and chemical ionization mass spectrometry in stereochemical differentiation of some 1,3-amino alcohols

Mass spectral fragmentations of two cyclopentane, eight cyclohexane and four norbornane/one 1,3-amino alcohols were studied under electron ionization (EI) by low-resolution, high-resolution, metastable ion analysis and collision-induced dissociation (CID) techniques. All stereoisomeric compounds gave rise to identical 70 eV EI mass spectra. However, the spectra of positional isomers clearly differed. The main fragmentation pathway for the saturated compounds began as an α-cleavage reaction with respect to the nitrogen atom. For the norbornene compounds a retro-Diels—Alder reaction was favoured. Relative to the aminomethyl-substituted compounds the fragmentation patterns for the compounds having the amino group connected directly to the ring were more complicated. The chemical ionization (CI) mass spectra were recorded using ammonia, isobutane, methane, dichloromethane and acetone as reagent gas. From the norbornane/One compounds the di-exo isomers decomposed more easily than the di-endo isomers with most of the reagent gases used. Differences between stereoisomers were observed directly only under methane CI. The decomposition products of the [M + H]⁺ ions generated under ammonia and isobutane CI were studies by recording their CID mass spectra. These spectra allowed the differentiation of the stereoisomers, at least to some extent.     

Unimolecular decomposition of ethoxytrimethylsilane

A study of the metastable spectra from ethoxytrimethylsilane and the mass shifts of the deuterium-labeled species permitted the rationalization of the fragmentation mechanism for forming all major ions in the mass spectrum. A new mechanistic pathway for the formation of [Si(CH₃)₃]⁺ (m/z 73) is demonstrated. A strong metastable ion for elimination of neutral acetaldehyde from the parent ion was observed despite the absence of a detectable daughter ion.     

Amidine mass spectral fragmentation patterns

Electron impact mass spectrometry of a range of amidines (R′NC(R)NHR′) including formamidines, acetamidines, benzamidines and tert-butylamidine, has been undertaken, and comparisons made of the fragmentation pathways followed by the different families of compounds. Fragmentation of all the molecular ions is characterized by skeletal carbon-nitrogen bond cleavage to form [R′NCR]⁺ and [R′NH]⁺ fragments, both of which are observed. For formamidines (R?H), the positive charge remains with the [R′NH]⁺ fragment which leads to the base peak at m/z93 corresponding to [R′NH₂]⁺˙. In contrast, for acetamidines and benzamidines the charge prefers to remain with the [R′NCR]⁺ fragment which gives the base peak for these compounds. The spectra of unsubstituted amidines (HNC(R)NH₂) are characterized by cleavage of the carbon substituent from the NCN skeleton, [CN₂H₃]⁺ (m/z 43) being produced in all cases.     

Electron impact induced cyclization of ortho-substituted diphenylmethanes

Mass spectra of 2-hydroxydiphenylmethane and its derivatives are characterized in the upper mass region by an abundant ion m/z 165. Metastable ion measurements reveal that this ion is formed from the molecular ion of the parent compound by elimination of H₂O and hydrogen. A fluorenyl cation structure is proposed for this ion on the basis of identity of collision induced mass analyzed ion kinetic energy spectra of ion m/z 165 generated from 2-hydroxydiphenylmethane and from fluorene. Four different pathways of formation of a fluorenyl cation are discussed. The contribution of each of these to the genesis of fragment m/z 165 was monitored in a reversed geometry instrument by measuring the first fragmentation in the first field free region and the second fragmentation in the second field free region.     

Electron ionization mass spectrometric study of substituted alloxazine‐5‐oxides and iso‐alloxazine‐5‐oxide

The fragmentation pathways in electron ionization (EI) mass spectra of a series of new N(5)‐oxides of alloxazines and iso‐alloxazine are presented, and compared with those of substituted alloxazines and iso‐alloxazine. The EI mass spectra of these compounds showed characteristic fragmentation pathways A, B and C, started by the ejection of atomic oxygen, a HNCO molecule and an OH ^. radical, respectively. On the basis of B/E and B²/E spectra, the mechanism of elimination of the OH ^. radical is discussed. The influence of the methyl substituent in the benzene ring of alloxazine on the mass fragmentation pathways is described. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Site of alkylation of N-methyl- and N-ethylaniline in the gas phase: a tandem mass spectrometric study

N-Methylaniline (NMA) was ethylated and N-ethylaniline (NEA) was methylated under chemical ionization conditions using C₂H₅I and CH₃I, respectively, as reagent gases. The structures of the resulting m/z 136 adduct ions have been probed using metastable ion and collision-induced dissociation (CID) methods. From the similarity of the spectra obtained and from the presence of structure-diagnostic ions at m/z 59 (CH₃NHC₂H₅^+•) and m/z 44 (CH₃NHCH₂⁺), it is concluded that predominantly N-alkylation occurs in both systems. This interpretation was aided by the use of C₂D₅I and CD₃I as reagents. Adduct ions of m/z 136 were also formed by ethylation of the isomeric toluidines and by methylation of the ring-ethylanilines. The resulting CID mass spectra were distinctly different from those obtained for the m/z 136 ions obtained by alkylation of NMA and NEA. Protonation of N-ethyl-N-methylaniline using CH₃C(O)CH₃ as Brønsted acid reagent produced an m/z 136 species whose CID mass spectrum also featured intense ion signals at m/z 59 and 44. This observation led to the conclusion that protonation with acetone as reagent results, in this case, in dominant N-protonation. However, the CID mass spectrum of the m/z 136 ion formed when CH₃OH was the protonating agent featured a weak signal at m/z 44 and no signal at m/z 59. Hence it was concluded that the latter m/z 136 ion contains a larger contribution from the ring-protonated adduct. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.