Metastable ion and induced stable ion fragmentation of isomeric 5-methyl-3-tolyl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles

The electron ionization fragmentation patterns of 5-methyl-3-(o-, m- and p-tolyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazoles (1a—c) have been examined by metastable ion and high resolution mass spectrometry. The o-tolyl isomer loses CO and C₂H₂O from the metastable molecular ion whereas the m- and p-tolyl isomers lose only CH₃CN thus indicating a strong ortho effect in directing the fragmentation in 1a. Slight differences between o-, m- and p-tolyl isomers in the collisional activation fragmentation of stable [C₇H₆N]⁺ ions suggest that structural differences exist even after a series of extensive rearrangements of the molecular ions. Metastable ion kinetic energy (MIKE) and collisional activation (CA) spectra were very helpful in providing valuable information about many fragments.     

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.     

Fragmentation of 1- and 3-methoxypropene ions another part of the C4H8O+• potential energy surface

The fragmentation mechanisms of metastable ionized 1? and 3?methoxypropene have been examined in detail by using ionization and appearance energy measurements, metastable ion and collisional activation mass spectra, and a variety of isotopically labeled molecules. These metastable C₄H₈O^+? ions fragment by loss of H; CH₃, and H₂CO, and the experimental observations allowed the construction of the potential energy diagram which describes their interconversion and the participation of four other distonic and carbene C₄H₈O^+? ions. It was found that these two methyl alkenyl ether ions had no common reaction channel with either the 2?methoxy isomer or with any of the alcohol, keto, or enol C₄H₈O^n+? isomers which previously have been extensively studied.     

Mass spectra of chlorinated aromatics formed in pulp bleaching 2—Chlorinated guaiacols

The fragmentation of chlorinated guaiacols (2-methoxyphenols) on electron impact has been studied. The most common fragmentation processes are interpreted and in some cases the small differences between spectra of positional isomers are explained. In addition to the well-known alkyl-oxygen fission (loss of methyl radical), metastable ion studies and deuterium labelling have indicated several new fragmentation pathways. The most characteristic are the formation of [M? CH₃? HCl]⁺ and [M? CH₃? Cl]^+· ions. In general, however, the spectra of positional isomers are shown to be very similar.     

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.     

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.     

Isomerization and fragmentation of methylfuran ions and pyran ions in the gas phase

The mutual interconversion of the molecular ions [C₅H₆O]⁺ of 2-methylfuran (1), 3-methylfuran (2) and 4H-pyran (3) before fragmentation to [C₅H₅O]⁺ ions has been studied by collisional activation spectrometry, by deuterium labelling, by the kinetic energy release during the fragmentation, by appearance energles and by a MNDO calculation of the minimum energy reaction path. The electron impact and collisional activation mass spectra show clearly that the molecular ions of 1–3 do not equilibrate prior to fragmentation, but that mostly pyrylium ions [C₅H₅O]⁺ arise by the loss of a H atom. This implies an irreversible isomerization of methylfuran ions 1 and 2 into pyran ions before fragmentation, in contrast to the isomerization of the related systems toluene ions/cycloheptatriene ions. Complete H/D scrambling is observed in deuterated methylfuran ions prior to the H/D loss that is associated with an iostope effect k_H/k_D = 1.67–2.16 for metastable ions. In contrast, no H/D scrambling has been observed in deuterated 4H-pyran ions. However, the loss of a H atom from all metastable [C₅H₅O]⁺ ions gives rise to a flat-topped peak in the mass-analysed ion kinetic energy spectrum and a kinetic energy release (T₅₀) of 26 ± 1.5 kJ mol^?1. The MNDO calculation of the minimum energy reaction path reveals that methylfuran ions 1 and 2 favour a rearrangement into pyran ions before fragmentation into furfuryl ions, but that the energy barrier of the first rearrangement step is at least of the same height as the barrier for the dissociation of pyran ions into pyrylium ions. This agrees with the experimental results.     

Charge reversal of three alkylamide ions: Free nitrenium ions

The methylnitrenium, ethylnitrenium and dimethylnitrenium ions are prepared by charge reversal collisional activation (CR CA) of the corresponding negative ions; their collisional activation mass spectra are shown to support the assigned structures. MINDO/3 energies are used to evaluate relative energies of [CH₄N]⁺ and [C₂H₆N]⁺ isomers, and to determine whether unstable forms rearrange spontaneously to stable ones. As in other examples, charge reversal here generates cations that do not exist in an energy well, but their transient existence is established because their fragmentation is more rapid than their rearrangement to a more stable form.     

Mass spectrometry of 3-oxothiazolo[3,2-a] and [3,2-c]pyrimidin-5-ones. Correlation of the intensities of the M+. and the selected fragment ions

The mass spectral fragmentation of eight new 3-oxothiazolo[3,2-a] and [3,2-c]pyrimidin-5-ones were investigated. Fragmentation pathways are proposed on the basis of accurate mass and metastable transition measurements. The correlation between the intensities of M^+. and the selected fragment ions of these compounds is discussed. The data obtained created the basis for distinguishing isomers and metamers.     

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.     

Mass spectra of chlorinated veratroles (1,2-dimethoxybenzenes)

The behaviour of all nine chlorinated veratroles (1,2-dimethoxybenzenes) under electron impact has been investigated. The most common fragmentation processes are interpreted using metastable ion analysis and deuterium labelled compounds. For all compounds studied, the most common fragmentation route seems to be the primary loss of a methyl radical followed by loss of carbon monoxide. The ion formed has a well-known quinonoid structure and fragments by several routes elucidated by metastable ion analysis. In general, the spectra of the positional isomers are shown to be practically similar and it is apparent that e.g. the 3- and 4-chloro isomers can be differentiated only from the abundance ratio of the [M? CH₃? CO? CH₃]⁺ and [M? CH₃? CO? H₂O]⁺ ions.     

Mass spectral studies of some 1,2,4-oxa-(thia)diazol-5(4H)-ones(thiones)

Electron ionization mass spectra of some 3,4-disubstituted 1,2,4-oxadiazole-5(4H)-thiones, thiadiazol-5(4H)-ones and thiadiazole-5(4H)-thiones are reported and fragmentation pathways of their molecular ions are studied in view of metastable ion experiments and accurate mass measurements. The main fragmentation route of the compounds under investigation is retro 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition.     

Electron ionization mass spectra of some 4β-phenyl-substituted cycloalkane-cis-fused 1,3-oxazin-2(3H)-ones, -2(3H)-thiones and 1,4-oxazepin-3(4H)-ones

The 70 eV mass spectra of 4β-phenyl-substituted cyclopentane- and cyclohexane cis-fused 1,3-oxazin-2(3H)-ones, the two related 2-thiones, 6,7-cis-trimethylene-5β-phenyl-1,4-oxazepin-3(4H)-one and its 2β-methyl derivative were recorded and their fragmentations examined by means of metastable ion analysis, collision induced dissociation technique and exact mass measurement. The fragmentation patterns of the 1,3-oxazin-2(3H)-ones were relatively simple: the favored formation of cycloalkene ions implied that a considerable proportion of the molecular ions might possess an enol structure. Changes in the size of the fused cycloalkane ring had little or no effect on the fragmentations. Instead, small changes in the heterocyclic part of the molecule caused remarkable effects on the fragmentation behavior. Compared to 1,3-oxazin-2(3H)-ones studied, both 1,3-oxazine-2(3H)-thiones and 1,4-oxazepin-3(4H)-ones showed much more complicated fragmentation patterns.     

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.     

Structure and formation of [C4H6N]+ ions: 1—Ion structures derived from aliphatic nitriles

Structures and formation of the [C₄H₆N]⁺ ions present in the mass spectra of eleven α-substituted and eleven α-unsubstituted nitriles have been investigated from collisional activation and metastable ion spectra. Collisional activation spectra lead to identification of six structures. The [C₄H₆N]⁺ ions from some branched compounds prove to be mixtures. This, as well as the identity of all metastable ion parameters and certain spectral data, shows that energy differences between all structures are small. This is corroborated by MINDO/3 calculations showing a spread from 724 to 891 kJ mol^?1 over the structures. Earlier proposals for two different [C₄H₆N]⁺ ion structures, based on the mass spectra of deuterium labelled compounds, appeared to be correct. A computer program to calculate the contribution of standard spectra in a measured spectrum has been developed.     

Stereospecific fragmentation processes in cycloalkane/cycloalkene-fused isomers of saturated pyrrolo[2,1-b][1,3]oxazin-6-one derivatives

Electron ionization-induced fragmentations were studied in a set of saturated pyrrolo[2,1-b][1,3]oxazin-6-one derivatives fused to either cycloalkane or cycloalkene rings, including seven pairs of cis/trans and endo/exo annelation isomers. Fragmentation patterns were confirmed by accurate mass measurements and metastable ion spectra. A number of striking differences were observed between the mass spectra of cyclohexene-fused isomers due to highly stereospecific retro-Diels-Alder (RDA) fragmentation of their M^+· ions. The observed 90% stereospecificity is abnormally high in the light of the recent classification (A. Mandelbaum, 1994) of stereospecific RDA fragmentations according to the degree of substitution of the cyclohexene ring being cleaved. In the absence of RDA processes, the differences between the mass spectra of cyclohexane-fused isomers originated from heterocyclic fragmentations. The assumed mechanistic interpretation of the observed differences, e. g., in the formation of [M − C₃H₅O]⁺ ions, was consistent with the condensed-state conformations of these isomers determined previously by NMR and X-ray diffraction studies. Because of rapid RDA decompositions of their rather unstable M^+· ions, the spectra of the diendo/diexo norbornene-fused isomers were virtually identical.     

Mass spectral behavior of n-alkynes

The 70 e V-electron impact mass spectra of the C₇–C₁₀ n-alkynes have been determined as well as the metastable ion spectra of the molecular ions and the [CS₂]⁺ and [N₂O]⁺ charge exchange mass spectra of the C₇-C₉ n-alkynes. The metastable ion mass spectra provide only a limited opportunity to distinguish between isomers; however, the 70-eV EI mass spectra of isomeric compounds permit a ready distinction between isomers. The [CS₂]⁺ charge exchange mass spectra of isomeric compounds also show substantial differences. The [N₂O]⁺ charge exchange mass spectra do not show the enhancement of β-fission fragments observed in field ionization experiments, despite representing ions of similar internal energy, and it is concluded that field dissociation is responsible for the β-fission fragments in the field ionization experiments.     

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.     

Effect of substituent group interaction in the fragmentation of some pyrrolidin-3-ones

The decomposition after electron impact of some N-alkyl and N-aryl pyrrolidin-3-ones has been examined and fragmentation mechanisms influenced by the substituents on the nitrogen have been observed. Accurate mass measurement, deuterium labelling, kinetic energy release measurements and metastable (DADI) ion abundances, permit the elucidation of the probable mechanism of formation of the most intense fragment ions. The available experimental evidence indicates the occurrence of rearrangement processes leading to important product ions in the mass spectra of the N-aryl derivatives. This type of fragmentation has been interpreted as the result of the combined action of two groups on the nitrogen atom of the heterocyclic nucleus.     

The dependence of collision induced fragmentation pattern on the internal energy of the precursor ion

A Method is presented whereby product organic ions formed as the result of fragmentation of metastable ions can be selected on the basis of their internal energies. The method requires requires angular collimation of the beam of reactant ions issuing from the ion source and that the fragmentation of the metastable ions is studied in the first field free region of a reversed geometry double focusing mass spectrometer. The product ions that make up the metastable peak are allowed to fall on the intermediate resolving slit and, by adjusting the magnet current over a small range, ions contained in different regions of the peak can be allowed into the second field free region. It is shown that the position of an ion within the metastable peak correlates with its internal energy, ions near the edges of the peak being the least excited. The ions entering the second field free region can be investigated by collisional activation. This has been done for molecular ions of p-chlorophenol, methylbenzoate, benzaldehyde, m-chlorotoluene and n-butane. The in which the collision induced fragmentation pattern varies with internal energy of the ions is illustrated.