Mass spectra of new heterocycles: XVI. Electron impact study of alkyl 5-aminothiophene-2-carboxylates

Electron impact mass spectra of alkyl 4-alkoxy-5-amino-3-methylthiophene-2-carboxylates were studied for the first time. These compounds, except for 4-(1-ethoxyethoxy) and 4-(ferrocenylmethoxy) derivatives, give rise to a stable molecular ion whose decomposition follows three pathways. The main fragmentation pathway of the molecular ion is elimination of alkyl radical from the 4-alkoxy group, the second pathway involves expulsion of alkoxy group from the ester moiety, and the third pathway is decomposition of the thiophene ring. The molecular ions of 4-(1-ethoxyethoxy)thiophenes decompose mainly via elimination of ethyl vinyl ether molecule with formation of [M–VinOEt]⁺ · odd-electron ion, and fragmentation of the latter follows general pathways. In the mass spectra of 4-(ferrocenylmethoxy)thiophenes the most abundant are ferrocenylmethyl ion with m/z 199 (I _rel 100%) and fragment ions derived therefrom.     

Mass spectra of new heterocycles: XI. Fragmentation of 5-(methylsulfanyl)-1-[2-(vinyloxy)ethyl]-1H-pyrrol-2-amines under electron impact and chemical ionization

Fragmentation patterns of the molecular ions of 5-(methylsulfanyl)-1-[2-(vinyloxy)ethyl]-1H-pyrrol- 2-amines generated by electron impact (70 eV) and chemical ionization (methane as reagent gas) were studied for the first time. The electron impact mass spectra of all the examined compounds showed abundant molecular ions whose subsequent fragmentation followed three main pathways: elimination of EtS radical, elimination of methyl radical from the MeS group, and cleavage of the C-N and/or C-C bonds which is accompanied by rearrangement processes. Further decomposition of the [M - EtS]⁺ ion is determined by the structure of the amino group. The chemical ionization mass spectra displayed strong molecular and [M + H]⁺ ion peaks together with representative series of fragment ion peaks. Unlike electron impact, the main decomposition pathway under chemical ionization is elimination of methylsulfanyl radical from the [M + H]⁺ ion to give abundant [M + H — MeS]⁺ ion.     

O−• chemical ionization of carbonyl compounds

The negative ion chemical ionization mass spectra of twentyeight C₄ to C₇ carbonyl compounds were recorded using the oxide radical anion O^?? as reagent ion. As noted earlier, the reactions occurring include H⁺ abstraction, H ₂ ^+? abstraction, H? atom displacement, and alkyl radical displacement. In addition, the [M?2H]^? ions fragment further by alkyl radical elimination. The relative importance of these reactions depends strongly on molecular structure, with the result that isomer distinction frequently is possible. Where this is not possible, as for isomeric aldehydes, the collisional charge inversion mass spectra of common product ions provides isomer distinction. The H ₂ ^+? abstraction reaction is shown to involve abstraction not only of two hydrogens from the same α-carbon but also, in part, abstraction of one hydrogen from each α-carbon.     

Competitive homolytic and heterolytic decomposition pathways of gas‐phase negative ions generated from aminobenzoate esters

An alkyl‐radical loss and an alkene loss are two competitive fragmentation pathways that deprotonated aminobenzoate esters undergo upon activation under mass spectrometric conditions. For the meta and para isomers, the alkyl‐radical loss by a homolytic cleavage of the alkyl‐oxygen bond of the ester moiety is the predominant fragmentation pathway, while the contribution from the alkene elimination by a heterolytic pathway is less significant. In contrast, owing to a pronounced charge‐mediated ortho effect, the alkene loss becomes the predominant pathway for the ortho isomers of ethyl and higher esters. Results from isotope‐labeled compounds confirmed that the alkene loss proceeds by a specific γ‐hydrogen transfer mechanism that resembles the McLafferty rearrangement for radical cations. Even for the para compounds, if the alkoxide moiety bears structural motifs required for the elimination of a more stable alkene molecule, the heterolytic pathway becomes the predominant pathway. For example, in the spectrum of deprotonated 2‐phenylethyl 4‐aminobenzoate, m/z 136 peak is the base peak because the alkene eliminated is styrene. Owing to the fact that all deprotonated aminobenzoate esters, irrespective of the size of the alkoxy group, upon activation fragment to form an m/z 135 ion, aminobenzoate esters in mixtures can be quantified by precursor ion discovery mass spectrometric experiments. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mass spectrometry of trialkylsilyl and acyl derivatives of 2′-deoxynucleosides

The electron impact mass spectra of monosilyl and mixed acyl-silyl derivatives of 2′-deoxynucleosides are described in detail. (Silyl = tert-butyldimethylsilyl, cyclo-tetramethylene-isopropylsilyl, or cyclo-tetramethylene-tert-butylsilyl; acyl = acetyl or trifluoroacetyl.) The interpretation of the fragmentation pathways was aided by metastable ion decomposition studies, precise mass and deuterium labelling measurements. Mass spectrally, the acyl substituents are mostly ‘passive’ and have (with possibly one exception) little fragmentation directing capability. In contrast, the silyl groups have powerful fragmentation directing properties. Elimination of the bulky alkyl 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 centre with the 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 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.     

Fragmentation reactions of the enolate ions of 2-pentanone

The reaction of [OH]^? with 2-pentanone produces two enolate ions, [CH₃CH₂CH₂COCH₂]^? and [CH₃COCHCH₂CH₃]^?, by proton abstraction from C(1) and C(3), respectively. Using deuterium isotopic labelling the fragmentation reactions of each enolate have been delineated for collisional activation at both high (8 keV) and low (5–100 eV) collisional energies. The primary enolate ion fragments mainly by elimination of ethene. Two mechanisms operate: elimination of C(4) and C(5) with hydrogen migration from C(5), and elimination of C(3) and C(4) with migration of the C(5) methyl group. Minor fragmentation of the primary enolate also occurs by elimination of propane and elimination of C₂H₅; the latter reaction involves specifically the terminal ethyl group. The secondary enolate ion fragments mainly by loss of H₂ and by elimination of CH₄; for the latter reaction four different pathways are operative. Minor elimination of ethene also is observed involving migration of a C(5) hydrogen to C(3) and elimination of C(4) and C(5) as ethene.     

Mass-spectrometric study of ring-chain tautomerism in a series of substituted 4-hydroxyhexahydropyrimidine-2-thiones

In order to investigate the ring-chain tautomerism of substituted 4-hydroxyhexahydropyrimidine-2-thiones the mass spectra of a series of compounds of this group were studied. It is shown that equilibrium exists between the cyclic hydroxy form and the acyclic oxo form, which belongs to the oxoalkylthiourea class, in a series of 3-alkyl(aryl)-4,6,6-trimethyl derivatives in the gas phase. The mass spectra of these compounds contain intense peaks of [M-18]⁺ and [M-33]⁺ ions, which are formed as a result of the successive elimination of a water molecule and a methyl radical by the molecular ions. The fragmentation of 3-alkyl-4,5-dimethyl derivatives takes place from the open oxo form of the molecular ion with detachment of the terminal groups.Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 9, pp. 1273–1278, September, 1983.     

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.     

THE MASS SPECTRA OF ALKYL ARYL SULPHIDES,DIARYL DISULPHIDES AND ALKYL ARYL SULPHONES

Abstract

The electron impact mass spectra of a comprehensive series of each of the titled compounds have been studied. The spectra of the sulphides show that one or two methyl groups at the ortho position of the aryl rings markedly increase the intensity of the M-R and/or M-SR ions. The abundance of the latter also increase with increases in the size of the alkyl group. The fragmentation patterns of the diaryl disulphides are also sensitive to steric effects. The presence of an ortho methyl group inhibits the appearance of M-S₂ ions but leads to the formation of new ions at M-SH₃ mu. The spectra of ethyl phenyl sulphone and the ethyl tolyl sulphones are unique in that their spectra contain peaks at M–14 mu. Deuterium labelling indicates that these ions arise by the loss of a methyl radical from protonated (or deuteriated) molecular ions.     

Mass spectrometry of hydroxyammoniocarboxylates: Lactonization of thermally rearranged molecules during field desorption

The field desorption mass spectral behavior of several hydroxyammoniocarboxylates was studied at both low and high emitter heating currents. The molecular weights of these thermally unstable compounds can be determined directly from the low emitter current (<10 mA) field desorption mass spectra, which are dominated by [xM+H]⁺ and [xM+H? CO₂]⁺ ions (1?x?4). At higher emitter currents (～20 mA), pyrolytic processes become important. These include intermolecular transfer of a single alkyl group yielding [M+alkyl]⁺ ions, intermolecular isomerization producing a hydroxyaminoester as the rearranged form of the molecule, and elimination of alcohol from the rearranged molecule, producing γ or δ lactones. The distribution of pyrolysis products does not depend significantly on the length of the carboxylate chain, but does appear to depend upon the chain length of the alkyl substituent on nitrogen. The spectra of molecules containing a long alkyl substituent (e.g. C₁₄H₂₉, C₂₂H₄₅) exhibit relatively high levels of [M+alkyl]⁺ ions, unlike the spectra of compounds which contain only methyl or ethyl substituents on the quaternary nitrogen. These latter compounds exhibit a relatively greater tendency toward lactone formation.     

The mass spectrometric fragmentation of n-alkanes

The fragmentation of n-hexane, n-nonane and n-tetradecane under electron impact has been investigated, using ¹³C labelled compounds. The mechanism of the formation of the alkyl radical ions is quantitatively explained by using a method of calculation developed in an earlier publication for n-heptane. It is assumed that these ions are formed either by a direct C-C bond cleaveage or by a secondary olefin loss from an alkyl radical ion. In the latter case the probability for a particular carbon to be lost in the neutral fragment is assumed to be random. The probability for a direct cleavage to an alkyl ion is about 80% for an ion containing at least half of the number of carbon atoms of the molecular ion and 15% for the smaller ions. The [M? H]⁺ ion seems to be a special case not yet clearly understood. Former results about the loss of methyl from the molecular ion are confirmed.     

Isomerization of hydrocarbon ions. VIII—The electron impact induced decomposition of n-dodecane

The literature on the mass spectrometry of ²H and ¹³C labelled higher alkanes is reviewed and the decomposition behaviour of both the molecular and the fragment ions of n-dodecane, n-dodecane-1, 12-[¹³C₂] and n-dodecane-1,1,1,12,12,12-[²H₆] studied with special emphasis on metastable decompositions. It is shown that the elimination of alkane molecules and alkyl radicals from the n-dodecane molecular ion occurs primarily by simple splitting of the C? C bond. In addition, both small alkane molecule and alkyl radicals are eliminated with low probability from centreal parts of the molecular ion. The alkane elimination is less specific than the alkyl elimination. The methyl elimination shows an exceptionally high non-specificity, but is of negligible abundance in the 70 e V electron impact spectrum. The metastable ion spectra suggest, but do not prove unambiguously, that those small alkyl ions (with up to four carbon atoms) originating directly from the molecular ion, may be formed both by direct cleavage of the terminal groups and from central parts of the molecular ion. However, the majority of the small alkyl fragment ions in the 70 eV spectrum are formed by secondary decomposition explaining their apparent non-specific formation. The strikingly different fragmentation behaviour of even electron, [C_nH_2n+1]⁺, and odd electron fragment ions, results from differences in the product stabilities. Using collisional activation and metastable ion spectra it is shown that the odd electron fragments have the structure of the linear alkene (most probably the 1-alkene) molecular ion. In contrast to the molecular ions, alkyl fragment ions decompose with complicated skeletal rearrangements, which lead to substantial, but not complete, carbon randomization. The terminal hydrogen atoms, however, show little scrambling.     

Ionen-Cyclotron-Resonanzuntersuchungen an Ionen–Molekül-Komplexen von Anisol und Anisolhomologen

The ion cyclotron resonance spectra of anisol, 3-methylanisol, phenetol, 3-methylphenetol and thioanisol at pressures of 10^?6 Torr resemble the normal mass spectra. Above 10^?5 Torr the spectra show signals due to product ions. As seen from double resonance measurements most product ions are formed by the reaction of a fragment ion with a neutral ether molecule under elimination of alkyl, alkoxy alkylthioradicals or of ethylene. Apart from the molecular ion radical ions do not participate in ion-molecule reactions.     

Dissociation mechanisms of neutral methyl stearate and its hydrogen atom adduct formed from the respective positive ions by electron transfer

The mechanism of dissociation of neutral methyl stearate and its hydrogen atom adduct was investigated by charge inversion mass spectrometry using an alkali metal target. Migrations of functional groups in fatty acid ester ions are often observed during the dissociation of the cations in collisionally activated dissociation (CAD). In the charge inversion spectrum, the main dissociation channels of methyl stearate molecule are the loss of a CH3 radical or a H atom. To identify the source of the CH3 radical and the H atom, the charge inversion spectra of partially deuterated methyl stearate (C17H35COOCD3) were measured. The loss of CH3 occurred through elimination from the methoxy methyl group and that of H occurred through elimination from the hydrocarbon chain of the fatty acid group. In the protonated ester, a simultaneous loss of CH3 (from the methoxy methyl group) and a H atom or a H2 molecule was observed. The charge inversion process gave the dissociation fragments with almost no migration of atoms. Only a few peaks that were structure sensitive were observed in the higher mass region in the charge inversion spectra; these peaks were associated with dissociations of energy-selected neutral species, unlike the case of CAD spectra in which they result from dissociation of ions. Charge inversion mass spectrometry with alkali metal targets provided direct information on the dissociation mechanism of methyl stearate and its hydrogen atom adduct without any migration of functional groups.     

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.     

Mass spectrometry in structural and stereochemical problems—CXCIX Contrasting fragmentations of singly- and doubly-charged o-, m- and p-hydroxyalkylphenones and their trimethylsilyl ethers

High resolution mass spectrometry, metastable defocusing and deuterium labeling of trimethylsilyl (TMS) ethers have been used to study the electron-impact induced fragmentations of o-, m- and p-hydroxyalkylphenones and their TMS ether derivatives. These derivatives have proven useful in contrasting the fragmentation patterns of singly- and doubly-charged ions because of the competing fragmentations: α-cleavage and a McLafferty rearrangement from the ketone moiety and methyl cleavage from the TMS group. A proximity effect was responsible for a markedly increased methyl radical loss from the o-TMS ether. This fragmentation was minor with the m- and p-isomers. Significantly intense doubly-charged ions were formed from ketonic cleavage and by the loss of a TMS methyl radical. The sequence of fragmentation depended on the size of the alkyl group attached to the ketone carbonyl. There was no evidence found for a McLafferty rearrangement occurring from the doubly-charged molecular ion of the TMS ethers of the hydroxyalkylphenones but the rearrangement occurred from the doubly-charge molecular ion of bis-3-(1-oxopentyl)-4-hydroxy-phenyl-methane and, of course, from the singly charged [M]^+. The bis-p-hydroxyphenylmethane derivatives were studied in an effort to increase the intensity of the doubly-charged ions as it was expected that the charges would be separated by a longer distance.     

The modern mass spectrometer—a complete chemical laboratory

Using nitrobenzene as an example, various ways in which a contemporary mass spectrometer can be utilized to yield a wealth of information about the compound studied are reviewed. Applying a variety of different techniques and procedures, in addition to the conventional low resolution mass spectrum, the following nitrobenzene spectra have been obtained: collision induced dissociation mass spectrum, mass analysed ion kinetic energy spectra, collision induced dissociation mass analysed ion kinetic energy spectra, spectra obtained at constant B/E, spectra obtained at constant B²/E, high voltage scans of metastable ion fragmentation processes, consecutive fragmentations in different field free regions, charge exchange mass spectra, charge stripping mass spectra, doubly charged ion mass spectra, chemical ionization mass spectra, negative ion mass spectra, negative ion mass analysed ion kinetic energy spectra, negative ion mass analysed ion kinetic energy collision induced dissociation spectra, charge inversion spectra, etc. The complementary types of information available from the above studies are discussed to show the unique versatility of mass spectrometry as a technique for the examination of organic compounds.     

Four isomers of [C3H8O]+˙ distinguished by collisional activation

Collisional activation of the molecular ions of 1-propanol, 2-propanol and methyl ethyl ether, and of the m/z 60 ion from 1,2-dimethoxyethane provides evidence for four distinct forms of [C₃H₈O]^+˙. Collision induced decompositions may be explained either by simple cleavages, by cyclic processes involving adjacent substituents, or by bicyclic processes of adjacent substituents. Evidence for a form of [C₃H₈O]^+˙ in which charge and radical site are separate is assembled from the spectra.     

Mass spectrometry of stable free radicals—II: pyrrolidine nitroxides

3-Substituted-2,2,5,5-tetramethylpyrrolidine nitroxides are stable free radicals used extensively in the synthesis of ‘spin labels’. The high resolution mass spectra of these nitroxides substituted with ? CH₂OH, ? OH, ? NH₂ and ?o have been recorded on magnetic tape and the elemental compositions of the ions calculated by computer. Ionisation by electron bombardment(70eV), gives rise to an even-electron molecular ion species. [M+1]⁺. ions are observed in the spectra of all compounds examined, except in the case of the 3-carbonyl compound, 2,2,5,5-tetramethylpyrrolid-3-one-1-oxyl. Loss of a methyl radical from these ions leads to the appearance of ions at [M -14]⁺. The predominant fragmentation for those compounds in which the substituents can supply electrons to the ring, is the sequential elimination of isobutene, nitric oxide and a hydrogen radical. In the case of the 3-hydroxy compound, these ions account for 23 percent of the total ion current. 2,2,5,5-Tetramethylpyrrolid-3-one-1-oxyl, which bears an electron-withdrawing substituent gives rise to a fragmentation pattern somewhat different from those of the other compounds. The main features are the absence of a peak at [M + 1]⁺˙ and the general phenomenon of fewer peaks but with higher intensities.     

Mass spectral fragmentation of thioesters. 1—Identification of low energy,slow processes

A variety of thiol and thion esters, including acetates and benzoates with n-butyl and β-phenethyl alkyl groups, have been studied by electron impact mass spectrometry. Several rearrangement ions were documented and their persistence in low voltage and field ion spectra demonstrated. Among the significant ions found in the rich thion spectra, the most general requires O to S rearrangement of the alkyl group and subsequent cleavage to yield acyl ions (CH₃CO or PhCO). This process is more important in longer chain compounds than in the methyl and ethyl homologues studied previously.