Proximity effects in mass spectrometry. Electron impact ionization-induced cyclization of 1,2-bis(1,4-dithiafulven-6-yl)benzenes

The electron impact ionization mass spectra of o-, m- and p-bis(1,4-dithiafulven-6-yl)benzenes were studied by means of accurate mass measurements, metastable analysis and collision-induced dissociation. Differences observed in the spectra of the ortho isomers are due to a cyclization reaction leading to molecular ions with the same structure as those generated from certain cyclic compounds, as confirmed by comparison of linked scans at constant B/E of metastable and collisionally activated molecular ions. Parallels of this cyclization of molecular ions with their electrochemical or acid-induced isomerization are also discussed.     

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.     

Mass spectrometry of aryl substituted di- and trisiloxanes

The mass spectra of arylpentamethyldisiloxanes, sym-diaryltetramethyldisiloxanes and 1,5-diaryl-1,1,3,3,5,5-hexamethyltrisiloxanes were examined. Isotopic labeling and peak matching were used to substantiate the proposed fragmentation mechanisms. Siliconium ions dominate the spectra. Loss of neutral fragments from the [M-15]⁺ ions is important. Phenylpentamethyldisiloxane, sym-tetramethyldiphenyldisiloxane and 1,1,3,3,5,5-hexamethyl-1,5-diphenyltrisiloxane are representative examples of the three classes of compounds discussed. The [M-15]⁺ ion of phenylpentamethyldisiloxane loses methane, dimethylsilanone [(CH₃)₂Si?O] and phenylmethylsilanone [PhCH₃Si?O] to yield daughter siliconium ions. The [M-15]⁺ ion of sym-tetramethyldiphenyldisiloxane loses benzene, methane, dimethylsilanone and phenylmethylsilanone to yield daughter siliconium ions. The [M-15]⁺ ion of 1,1,3,3,5,5-hexamethyl-1,5-diphenyltrisiloxane loses benzene, tetramethylcyclodisiloxane and phenyltrimethylcyclodisiloxane to yield daughter siliconium ions. Finally, doubly charged ions are important in the mass spectra of the three series of aryl substituted di- and trisiloxanes discussed.     

Characterization of Cyclic N-Acyliminium Ions by Infrared Ion Spectroscopy

N-Acyliminium ions are highly reactive intermediates that are important for creating CC-bonds adjacent to nitrogen atoms. Here we report the characterization of cyclic N-acyliminium ions in the gas phase, generated by collision induced dissociation tandem mass spectrometry followed by infrared ion spectroscopy using the FELIX infrared free electron laser. Comparison of DFT calculated spectra with the experimentally observed IR spectra provided valuable insights in the conformations of the N-acyliminium ions.     

Charge-Reversal mass spectra of enolate ions of some open-chain and cyclic ketones for structure identification

The charge-reversal (CR) mass spectra of the enolate ions of heptanal and ten isomeric heptanones, of cyclohexanone, of cycloheptanone, of isomeric methylcyclohexanones, of isomeric ethylcyclohexanones and of the iso meric monoterpene ketones camphor, fenchone, pulegone and thujone were obtained by deprotonation using OH^? under chemical ionization conditions followed by collision of the [M ? H] ^? ions with helium in the second field-free region of a VG ZAB 2F mass spectrometer. The CR mass spectra were evaluated by similarity index (SI) values. Characteristic of the CR mass spectra of the open-chain enolates are fragment ions formed by α-cleavage. However, the CR mass spectra are dominated by peaks of small hydrocarbon ions, particularly in the case of cyclic and bicyclic enolates. The CR mass spectra of enolates of linear heptanones differing in the position of the carbonyl group can be easily correlated with the structure of the parent ketone. The CR mass spectra of enolates of isomeric heptan-2-ones differing only in the degree of branching of the alkyl group are similar, but can be distinguished by the SI values. The CR mass spectra of the enolates of the isomeric cyclic and bicyclic ketones studied are more or less identical and cannot be used for structural assignment.     

Zum Mechanismus massenspektrometrischer Fragmentierungsreaktionen: XI—Einfluß von Substituenten auf die Bildung cyclischer Fragment-Ionen in den Massenspektren von N,N-Dimethyl-N′-2-chlorphenylformatmidinen und 2-Chlorformaniliden

Molecular ions of N,N-dimethyl-N′-2-chlorophenylformamidines (III) and 2-chloroformanilides (IV) lose a chlorine atom to give benzimidazolium and benzoxazolium ions, respectively. As with N,N-dimethyl-N′-phenylformamidines (I), a linear relationship exists between the Hammett σ-constants and the effect of substituents on the ionisation potentials of substituted III and IV. In contrast to this, the appearance potentials of the cyclic fragment ions of III and IV cannot be easily related to polar effects of substituents; these effects are similar for the cyclic fragment ions of I, III and IV however. Furthermore, the intensities of these ions are influenced in the same direction by substituents in the mass spectra of I, III and IV, and are strongly reduced by electron donating substituents in the para position. The formation of cyclic fragment ions in the mass spectra of I, III and IV therefore occurs by the same mechanism.     

Mass spectra of sterically crowded trialkylsilyl derivatives of nucleosides

The electron impact mass spectra of tert-butyldimethylsilyl-, cyclo-tetramethylene-tert-butylsilyl and cyclo-tetramethylene-isopropylsilyl- ether derivatives of ribo- and 2′-deoxyribonucleosides are described in detail. The interpretation of fragmentation pathways of full and mixed derivatives was aided by metastable ion decomposition studies, precise mass and deuterium labelling measurements, and spectra of mixed derivatives containing the ‘passive’ (in these spectra) trimethylsilyl group. The sterically crowded silyl groups have a powerful fragmentation directing effect. Elimination of a bulky radical, R˙ (tert-butyl or isopropyl), from the molecular ion produces the siliconium ion [M? R]⁺, which is the precursor for most of the other prominent ions in the spectra. These arise from ‘siliconium ion rearrangements’ resulting from the interaction of the positively charged siliconium ion center with electron dense regions (i.e. oxygens) in the molecule, to form cyclic silyloxonium ions which subsequently decompose. Since the interacting oxygen and silicon must be sterically accessible, the fragment ion types and their abundances are very dependent upon structure. Consequently, [M? R]⁺ ions formed from 2′, 3′ or 5′-O-silyl groups give rise to different sets of daughter ions which, for the most part, are not found, or have very low abundances, in the mass spectra of underivatized or trimethylsilylated nucleosides. Detailed information on sugar and base moieties and isomeric substitution is readily obtained.     

The [M?OH]+ ions of m- and p-ethylnitrobenzene: A common structure?

The structures of the [M? OH]⁺ ions of m- and pethylnitrobenzene have been compared by measurements of metastable ion spectra, collisional activation spectra, kinetic energy releases and critical energies for the formation of these ions and their subsequent decomposition. Normalized rates of fragmentation of metastable molecular ions and metastable [M? OH]⁺ ions have been compared for ion lifetimes up to 30 μs. The energy measurements fail to distinguish between the structures of the [M? OH]⁺ ions, but the normalized fragmentation rates and the collisional activation spectra show their structures to be different.     

Electron impact studies CX—+E spectra from negative ions. Ortho effects and skeletal rearrangement reactions from sulphur compounds

+E spectra derived from the non-decomposing anion of some sulphur compounds are independent of the pressure of the collision gas. The compounds chosen for study contain peaks produced from either ortho effects or skeletal rearrangement fragments in their conventional positive ion spectra. The dissociative +E spectra are either devoid of skeletal rearangement ions or alternatiely contain such peaks in small abundance. In contrast, peaks derived from ortho reactions are present in high abundance.     

Mass spectra of n-butylboronate ester derivatives of the major metabolite of prostaglandin F

The EI mass spectra of six n-butylboronate ester derivatives of the major metabolite of prostaglandins F_1α and F_2α (PGF-M) are presented and discussed. Proposed ion assignments and fragmentation pathways are based on substituent shifts, on data from a deuterium-labeled methoxime derivative and on the analysis of collision-induced dissociation spectra of selected ions. Fragment ions suitable for identification and quantification of PGF-M in a biological matrix and diagnostically valuable ions for structure recognition are proposed.     

Ionen-Cyclotron-Resonanz-Messungen von Ion/Molekül-Reaktionen bei Chinonen

At a pressure of 10^?6 Torr the ion cyclotron resonance spectra of p-benzoquinone, methyl-p-benzoquinone, tetramethyl-p-benzoquinone and tetrafluoro-p-benzoquinone are identical to the normal mass spectra. Above 10^?5 Torr the spectra show a variety of signals for product ions. From double resonance measurements it was shown that all the product ions are formed by addition of the molecular ion or of a fragment ion to a neutral quinone molecule. In most cases the addition is accompanied by the elimination of carbon monoxide.     

Doubly charged ion mass spectra: 1-Aliphatic nitriles

The doubly charged ion mass spectra for 12 aliphatic nitriles (1–9 carbon atoms) have been obtained using an Hitachi RMU-7L double focusing mass spectrometer. These spectra show some characteristic features such as extensive loss of hydrogen and the grouping of ions in the spectra into n-1 groups where n is the number of carbon atoms in the molecule (n<6). There are no indications of HCN or CN loss in the doubly charged ion spectra of the monosubstituted nitriles. SCF calculations of the energy and structure of doubly charged ions in the propionitrile spectra have been carried out.     

Electron-impact mass spectrometry of Nuphar alkaloids

Principal peaks in the mass spectra of deoxynupharidine are accounted for on the basis of high resolution mass spectrometry and peak shifts in the mass spectra of deoxynupharidine-4-d₁ and deoxynupharidine-6β, 7β-d₂. Cleavage of the quinolizidine ring system of deoxynupharidine occurs predominantly in ring A, giving m/e 136, 107, 98, 94 and 81. The origins of the family of ions [M — alkyl]⁺ and m/e 178 are considered. A comparative survey is made of the occurrence of these ions, and others, in the mass spectra of piperidine, quinolizidine and thiospirane types of Nuphar alkaloids. Attention is directed toions useful in distinguishing structural types.     

Fast atom bombardment and secondary ion mass spectra of thiamine hydrochloride

The ratio of the fragment ions at m/z 122 and m/z 123 in the positive ion fast atom bombardment or secondary ion mass spectra of thiamine hydrochloride varies with sample preparation and experimental conditions. For all mass spectra that contained significant abundances of matrix (S) ions [S + H]⁺, the fragment at m/z 123 is the more abundant of the two ions. If [S + H]⁺ ions are not observed in the mass spectrum under the conditions selected, the ion at m/z 122 is more abundant. This correlation suggests that hydrogen transfer to the fragment ion occurs in the gas phase, with the composition of the ion-solvent cluster ions in the selvedge region being the key factor. The ratio of the fragment ions at m/z 123 and m/z 122 is thus an indicator of the extent of protonation in the selvedge, the region immediately above the solvent surface created by primary particle bombardment.     

Kinetic energy release during CO loss by rearrangement of α-benzoylcarbenium ions

Primary α-benzoylcarbenium ions (a) and tertiary α-benzoyldimethylcarbenium ions (b) are obtained by chemical ionization of ω-hydroxyacetophenone and its dimethyl derivative, respectively. Both α-acylcarbenium ions decompose by a rearrangement reaction and subsequent loss of a CO molecule. The kinetic energy released during this process by metastable ions a and b has been determined under different experimental conditions. The kinetic energy released during the CO elimination from the tertiary α-benzoyldimethylcarbenium ions b is independent of the experimental conditions and gives rise to dish-topped peaks with T₅₀=440±20 meV in the MIKE spectra of b. In contrast to this the kinetic energy releases and the peak-shapes in the MIKE spectra of the primary α-benzoylcarbenium ion a varies with the experimental conditions. The mechanism of this rearrangement reaction is discussed, and it is shown by a MNDO calculation of the heats of formation of the relevant ions that the different characteristics of the kinetic energy release during the fragmentation of primary and tertiary carbenium ions can be attributed to different types of reaction energy profiles.     

The ion kinetic energy and mass spectra of isomeric methyl indoles

The mass spectra of the seven isomeric methylindoles were recorded and the [metastable ion]/[daughter ion] ratios for the reactions m/e 130 → m/e 103 and m/e 103 → m/e 77 have been obtained. The ratios indicate that the decomposing [M — 1] ions (m/e 130) from the 4, 5, 6 and 7 isomers are energetically similar as are the [M — 1] ions from the 2 and 3 isomers. The results observed for the m/e → 103 m/e 77 reaction showed that the decomposing m/e 103 ions from the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 isomers all have the same energy distribution. N-Methylindole gave ratios which were similar to the 4 to 7 isomers at 70eV but different at 20 eV. The ion kinetic energy (IKE) spectra of all the isomeric methylindoles were also obtained and the results compared with the data obtained from the [metastable ion]/[daughter ion] approach. The results from the IKE spectra indicated that the energy distributions of the [M — 1] and [(M — 1) — HCN] ions from 1-methylindole and the [(M — 1) — HCN] ions from 2-methylindole could readily be distinguished from other isomers whose [metastable ion]/[daughter ion] ratios were similar. Thus by using both techniques certain ambiguities can be resolved.     

Mass spectrometric studies of structural isomers—II: Mono-and bicyclic C6H10 molecules

The electron-impact-induced ionization and fragmentation of six C₆H₁₀ structural isomers have been studied in order to determine the effect of isomerism upon their mass spectrometric behavior. The 70 eV mass spectra, metastable transitions and appearance potentials of the principal ions are reported. Significant differences between the mass spectra of the six isomers were observed; however, metastable transition and appearance potential data indicate that the fragmentation path-ways are the same for all the C₆H₁₀ molecules. Experimentally determined ionization potentials for the structural isomers are presented and compared to ionization potentials calculated by the bond orbital method. Utilizing fragmentation pathways deduced from general features in the mass spectra and from observed metastable transitions, we calculated heats of formation (ΔH_f) for the observed principal ions and compared these values to ΔH_f values for isomeric ions from other molecules.     

Electron impact studies—LXV: Negative-ion mass spectrometry of functional groups 2-aryl-1,3-dithianes

The negative-ion mass spectra of 2-aryl-1,3-dithianes contain pronounced molecular anions together with fragment ions which are produced by both simple and complex cleavage reactions. These spectra contain further examples of specific hydrogen scrambling processes in negative ions. Nitroaryldithianes give intense negative-ion spectra, and that of the o-nitro derivative exhibits an unusual proximity effect. The fragmentation patterns have been examined using both ²H and ¹³C labelling and the metastable defocusing technique.     

Doubly charged ion mass spectra: VI—Amines

Doubly charged ion mass spectra of 22 amines (2–10 carbon atoms) were determined using an Hitachi RMU-7L double focusing mass spectrometer. Molecular ions were not observed in the spectra of aliphatic amines. The most intense product ion peaks in the spectra of lower molecular weight amines resulted from hydrogen elimination from the molecular ion; however, as amine molecular weight increased the largest peaks resulted from both hydrogen and heavy atom elimination from the molecular ion. Dominant ions in the doubly charged ion spectra of lower molecular weight aliphatic amines were from reactions of [C_nH₃N]²⁺ (n:=2, 3, 4) type ions. The spectra of higher molecular weight aliphatic amines spanned a wide mass range. Appearance energies for some of the more prominent ions were measured in the range from 25 to 49 eV. A geometry optimized quantum mechanical self-consistent field molecular orbital treatment was used to compute the energies and structural parameters of prominent ions in the doubly charged ion mass spectra.     

Stereospecific adduct ion formation in the chemical ionization mass spectra of E- and Z-1,2,3-triaryl-2-propen-1-ones

Stereospecific adduct ion formation has been observed in the chemical ionization mass spectra (positive and negative) of certain E- and Z-1,2,3-triaryl-2-propen-1-ones. The Z isomers are found to give higher relative abundances of adduct ions than the E isomers. This has been interpreted in terms of the differences in the proton affinities of the isomers originating from their different degrees of enone resonance. Halide ion (CI^? and Br^?) attachment spectra of these compounds also show stereochemical differences in the relative abundances of [M]^?˙ and [M+halide]^? ions, though the effect is not as pronounced as in the case of the positive ion spectra.