Mobile Proton Triggered Radical Fragmentation of Nitroarginine Containing Peptides

Protonated nitroarginine, [R^NO2 + H]⁺, which contains the nitroguanidine ‘explosophore,’ undergoes homolytic N – N nitro-imine bond cleavage to expel NO₂ ^? and form a radical cation of arginine in high yield (100 % relative abundance) upon low-energy collision-induced dissociation (CID). Other ionization states of nitroarginine, including [R^NO2 - H]^–, and a fixed-charge derivative of nitroarginine do not expel NO₂ ^? (<1 %), but instead dissociate via heterolytic bond cleavage with abundant losses of small molecules (N₂O and H₂N₂O₂) from the nitroguanidine group. The effects of proton mobility on the CID reactions of nitroarginine containing peptides was investigated for peptide derivatives of leucine enkephalin, including XYGGFLR^NO2, X = D, G, K, and R, by examining the different protonation states: [M – H]^–; [M + H]⁺; and [M + 2H]²⁺. For [M + H]⁺ containing the less basic N-terminal residues (X = D, G) and all [M + 2H]²⁺, mobile proton fragmentation reactions that result in peptide sequence ions dominate. In contrast, for peptides containing the basic N-terminal residues (R and K), the CID spectra of both the [M – H]^– and [M + H]⁺ are dominated by the losses of small even-electron neutrals from the nitroarginine side-chain. The fraction of nitroguanidine directed fragmentation of the nitroarginine side chain that results in bond homolysis to form [XYGGFLR]^+? by expulsion of NO₂ ^? increases by more than 10 times as the protonation state changes from [M – H]^– (<10 %) to [M + 2H]²⁺ (ca. 90 %) and by about four times as the acidity of the [M + H]⁺ N-terminal residue increases from R (19.0 %) to D (76.5 %). These results indicate that protonated peptides containing nitroarginine can undergo non-canonical mobile proton triggered radical fragmentation.

Electron impact,chemical ionization and negative chemical ionization mass spectra,and mass-analysed ion kinetic energy spectrometry–collision-induced dissociation fragmentation pathways of some deuterated 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) derivatives

Mass-analysed ion kinetic energy spectrometry (MIKES) with collision-induced dissociation (CID) has been used to study the fragmentation processes of a series of deuterated 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and deuterated 2,4,6-trinitrobenzylchloride (TNTCI) derivatives. Typical fragment ions observed in both groups were due to loss of OR′ (R′ = H or D) and NO. In TNT, additional fragment ibns are due to the loss of R₂′O and 3NO₂, whilst in TNTCI fragment ions are formed by the loss of OCI and R₂′OCI. The TNTCI derivatives did not produce molecular ions. In chemical ionization (Cl) of both groups. MH⁺ ions were observed, with [M – OR′]⁺ fragments in TNT and [M – OCI]⁺ fragments in TNTCI. In negative chemical ionization (NCI) TNT derivatives produced M^?′, [M–R′]^?, [M–OR′]^? and [M–NO]^? ions, while TNTCI derivatives produced [M–R]^?, [M–Cl]^? and [M – NO₂]^? fragment ions without a molecular ion.     

Can Nonpolar Polyisobutylenes be Measured by Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry? Anion-Attachment Proved to be an Appropriate Method

Polyisobutylenes (PIBs) with different end-groups including chlorine, exo-olefin, hydroxyl, and methyl prepared from aliphatic and aromatic initiators were studied by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Independently of the end-groups, presence or absence of aromatic initiator moiety, these PIB derivatives were capable of forming adduct ions with NO₃ ^– and Cl^– ions, thus allowing the direct characterization of these compounds in the negative ion mode of ESI-MS. To obtain [PIB + NO₃]^– and [PIB + Cl]^– adduct ions with appreciable intensities, addition of polar solvents such as acetone, 2-propanol, or ethanol to the dichloromethane solution of PIBs was necessary. Furthermore, increasing both the polarity (by increasing the acetone content) and the ion-source temperature give rise to enhanced intensities for both [PIB + NO₃]^– and [PIB + Cl]^– ions. Energy-dependent collision induced dissociation studies (CID) revealed that increasing the collision voltages resulted in the shift of the apparent molecular masses to higher ones. CID studies also showed that dissociation of the [PIB + Cl]^– ions requires higher collision energy than that of [PIB + NO₃]^–. In addition, Density Functional Theory calculations were performed to gain insights into the nature of the interactions between the highly non-polar PIB chains and anions NO₃ ^– and Cl^– as well as to determine the zero-point corrected electronic energies for the formation of [PIB + NO₃]^– and [PIB + Cl]^– adduct ions.

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Atmospheric pressure chemical ionization and fragmentation of aminomonosaccharides in H2O and D2O

Aminomonosaccharides (glucosamine, galactosamine, and mannosamine) in H₂O and D₂O were ionized by atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) and their fragmentation patterns were investigated to identify them. All the aminomonosaccharides showed the same fragment ions but their relative ion intensities were different. Major product ions generated in H₂O were [M + H]⁺, [M + H – H₂O]⁺, and [2M + H – 3H₂O]⁺, while in D₂O were [M_D6 + D]⁺, [M_D6 + D – D₂O]⁺, and [2M_D6 + D – D₂O – 2HDO]⁺. At a high fragmentor voltage above 120 V, the relative ion intensities of the major product ions showed different trends according to the aminomonosaccharides. For the use of H₂O as solvent and eluent, the order of the ion intensity ratio of [M + H – H₂O]⁺/[2M + H – 3H₂O]⁺ was galactosamine > mannosamine > glucosamine. When using D₂O as solvent and eluent, the order of the ion intensity ratios of [M_D6 + D – D₂O]⁺/[M_D6 + D]⁺ and [2M_D6 + D – D₂O – 2HDO]⁺/[M_D6 + D]⁺ was mannosamine > galactosamine > glucosamine. It was found that glucosamine, galactosamine, and mannosamine could be distinguished by the specific trends of the major product ion ratios in H₂O and D₂O. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ion Mobility Spectrometry-Hydrogen Deuterium Exchange Mass Spectrometry of Anions: Part 2. Assessing Charge Site Location and Isotope Scrambling

Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) coupled with gas-phase hydrogen deuterium exchange (HDX)-mass spectrometry (MS) and molecular dynamic simulations (MDS) has been used for structural investigation of anions produced by electrospraying a sample containing a synthetic peptide having the sequence KKDDDDDIIKIIK. In these experiments the potential of the analytical method for locating charge sites on ions as well as for utilizing collision-induced dissociation (CID) to reveal the degree of deuterium uptake within specific amino acid residues has been assessed. For diffuse (i.e., more elongated) [M – 2H]^2– ions, decreased deuterium content along with MDS data suggest that the D4 and D6 residues are charge sites, whereas for the more diffuse [M – 3H]^3– ions, the data suggest that the D4, D7, and the C-terminus are deprotonated. Fragmentation of mobility-selected, diffuse [M – 2H]^2– ions to determine deuterium uptake at individual amino acid residues reveals a degree of deuterium retention at incorporation sites. Although the diffuse [M – 3H]^3– ions may show more HD scrambling, it is not possible to clearly distinguish HD scrambling from the expected deuterium uptake based on a hydrogen accessibility model. The capability of the IMS-HDX-MS/MS approach to provide relevant details about ion structure is discussed. Additionally, the ability to extend the approach for locating protonation sites on positively-charged ions is presented.

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The Effects of Trivalent Lanthanide Cationization on the Electron Transfer Dissociation of Acidic Fibrinopeptide B and its Analogs

Electrospray ionization (ESI) on mixtures of acidic fibrinopeptide B and two peptide analogs with trivalent lanthanide salts generates [M + Met + H]⁴⁺, [M + Met]³⁺, and [M + Met –H]²⁺, where M = peptide and Met = metal (except radioactive promethium). These ions undergo extensive and highly efficient electron transfer dissociation (ETD) to form metallated and non-metallated c- and z-ions. All metal adducted product ions contain at least two acidic sites, which suggest attachment of the lanthanide cation at the side chains of one or more acidic residues. The three peptides undergo similar fragmentation. ETD on [M + Met + H]⁴⁺ leads to cleavage at every residue; the presence of both a metal ion and an extra proton is very effective in promoting sequence-informative fragmentation. Backbone dissociation of [M + Met]³⁺ is also extensive, although cleavage does not always occur between adjacent glutamic acid residues. For [M + Met – H ]²⁺, a more limited range of product ions form. All lanthanide metal peptide complexes display similar fragmentation except for europium (Eu). ETD on [M + Eu – H]²⁺ and [M + Eu]³⁺ yields a limited amount of peptide backbone cleavage; however, [M + Eu + H]⁴⁺ dissociates extensively with cleavage at every residue. With the exception of the results for Eu(III), metallated peptide ion formation by ESI, ETD fragmentation efficiencies, and product ion formation are unaffected by the identity of the lanthanide cation. Adduction with trivalent lanthanide metal ions is a promising tool for sequence analysis of acidic peptides by ETD.

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Specific Interaction Between Negative Atmospheric Ions and Organic Compounds in Atmospheric Pressure Corona Discharge Ionization Mass Spectrometry

The interaction between negative atmospheric ions and various types of organic compounds were investigated using atmospheric pressure corona discharge ionization (APCDI) mass spectrometry. Atmospheric negative ions such as O₂^–, HCO₃^–, COO^–(COOH), NO₂^–, NO₃^–, and NO₃^–(HNO₃) having different proton affinities served as the reactant ions for analyte ionization in APCDI in negative-ion mode. The individual atmospheric ions specifically ionized aliphatic and aromatic compounds with various functional groups as atmospheric ion adducts and deprotonated analytes. The formation of the atmospheric ion adducts under certain discharge conditions is most likely attributable to the affinity between the analyte and atmospheric ion and the concentration of the atmospheric ion produced under these conditions. The deprotonated analytes, in contrast, were generated from the adducts of the atmospheric ions with higher proton affinity attributable to efficient proton abstraction from the analyte by the atmospheric ion.     

Sulfate migration in oligosaccharides induced by negative ion mode ion trap collision‐induced dissociation

Migration of sulfate groups between hydroxyl groups was identified after collision‐induced dissociation (CID) of sulfated oligosaccharides in an ion trap mass spectrometer in negative ion mode. Analysis of various sulfated oligosaccharides showed that this was a common phenomenon and was particularly prominent in sulfated oligosaccharides also containing sialic acid. It was also shown that the level of migration was increased when the sulfate was positioned on the flexible areas of the oligosaccharides not involved in the pyranose ring, such as the extra‐cyclic C‐6 carbon of hexoses or N‐acetylhexosamines, or on reduced oligosaccharide. This suggested that migration is dependent on the spatial availability of the sulfate in the ion trap during collision. It is proposed that the migration is initiated when the negatively charged ‐SO₃^– residue attached to the oligosaccharide precursor becomes protonated by a CID‐induced proton transfer. This is supported by the CID fragmentation of precursor ions depleted of acidic protons such as doubly charged [M – 2H]^2– ions or the sodiated [M + Na – 2H]^– ions of oligosaccharides containing one sulfate and one sialic acid in the same molecule. Compared to the CID fragmentation of their monocharged [M – H]^– ions, no migration was observed in CID of proton depleted precursors. Alternative fragmentation parameters to suppress migration of sulfated oligosaccharides also showed that it was not present when sulfated oligosaccharides were fragmented by HCD (High‐Energy C‐trap Dissociation) in an Orbitrap mass spectrometer. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Does Addition of NO2 to Carbon-Centered Radicals Yield RONO or RNO2? An Investigation Using Distonic Radical Ions

Nitrogen dioxide is used as a “radical scavenger” to probe the position of carbon-centered radicals within complex radical ions in the gas phase. As with analogous neutral radical reactions, this addition results in formation of an [M + NO₂]⁺ adduct, but the structural identity of this species remains ambiguous. Specifically, the question remains: do such adducts have a nitro- (RNO₂) or nitrosoxy- (RONO) moiety, or are both isomers present in the adduct population? In order to elucidate the products of such reactions, we have prepared and isolated three distonic phenyl radical cations and observed their reactions with nitrogen dioxide in the gas phase by ion-trap mass spectrometry. In each case, stabilized [M + NO₂]⁺ adduct ions are observed and isolated. The structure of these adducts is probed by collision-induced dissociation and ultraviolet photodissociation action spectroscopy and a comparison made to the analogous spectra of authentic nitro- and nitrosoxy-benzenes. We demonstrate unequivocally that for the phenyl radical cations studied here, all stabilized [M + NO₂]⁺ adducts are exclusively nitrobenzenes. Electronic structure calculations support these mass spectrometric observations and suggest that, under low-pressure conditions, the nitrosoxy-isomer is unlikely to be isolated from the reaction of an alkyl or aryl radical with NO₂. The combined experimental and theoretical results lead to the prediction that stabilization of the nitrosoxy-isomer will only be possible for systems wherein the energy required for dissociation of the RO-NO bond (or other low energy fragmentation channels) rises close to, or above, the energy of the separated reactants.      

Laser-Induced Hydrogen Radical Removal in UV MALDI-MS Allows for the Differentiation of Flavonoid Monoglycoside Isomers

Negative-ion matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) time-of-flight mass spectra and tandem mass spectra of flavonoid mono-O-glycosides showed the irregular signals that were 1 and/or 2 Da smaller than the parent deprotonated molecules ([M – H]^–) and the sugar-unit lost fragment ions ([M – Sugar – H]^–). The 1 and/or 2 Da mass shifts are generated with the removing of a neutral hydrogen radical (H*), and/or with the homolytic cleavage of the glycosidic bond, such as [M – H* – H]^–, [M – Sugar – H* – H]^–, and [M – Sugar – 2H* – H]^–. It was revealed that the hydrogen radical removes from the phenolic hydroxy groups on the flavonoids, not from the sugar moiety, because the flavonoid backbones themselves absorb the laser. The glycosyl positions depend on the extent of the hydrogen radical removals and that of the homolytic cleavage of the glycosidic bonds. Flavonoid mono-glycoside isomers were distinguished according to their TOF MS and tandem mass spectra.

Rapid Screening of Carboxylic Acids from Waste and Surface Waters by ESI-MS/MS Using Barium Ion Chemistry and On-Line Membrane Sampling

Negative ion tandem mass spectrometric analysis of aliphatic carboxylic acids often yields only non-diagnostic ([M – H]^–) ions with limited selective fragmentation. However, carboxylates cationized with Ba²⁺ have demonstrated efficient dissociation in positive ion mode, providing structurally diagnostic product ions. We report the application of barium adducts followed by collision induced dissociation (CID), to improve selectivity for rapid screening of carboxylic acids in complex aqueous samples. The quantitative MS/MS method presented utilizes common product ions of [M – H + Ba]⁺ precursor ions. The mechanism of product ion formation is investigated using isotopically labeled standards and a series of structurally related carboxylic acids. The results suggest that hydrogen atoms in the β and γ positions yield common product ions ([BaH]⁺ and [BaOH]⁺). Furthermore, the diagnostic product ion at m/z 196 serves as a qualifying ion for carboxylate species. This methodology has been successfully used in conjunction with condensed phase membrane introduction mass spectrometry (CP-MIMS), with barium acetate added directly to the methanol acceptor phase. The combination enables rapid screening of carboxylic acids directly from acidified water samples (wastewater effluent, spiked natural waters) using a capillary hollow fiber PDMS membrane immersion probe. We have applied this technique for the direct analysis of complex naphthenic acid mixtures spiked into natural surface waters using CP-MIMS. Selectivity at the ionization and tandem mass spectrometry level eliminate isobaric interferences from hydroxylated species present within the samples, which have been observed in negative electrospray ionization.

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Diastereochemical differentiation of bicyclic diols using metal complexation and collision‐induced dissociation mass spectrometry

Metal complex formation was investigated for di‐exo‐, di‐endo‐ and trans‐2,3‐ and 2,5‐disubstituted trinorbornanediols, and di‐exo‐ and di‐endo‐ 2,3‐disubstituted camphanediols using different divalent transition metals (Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺) and electrospray ionization quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry. Many metal‐coordinated complex ions were formed for cobalt and nickel: [2M+Met]²⁺, [3M+Met]²⁺, [M–H+Met]⁺, [2M–H+Met]⁺, [M+MetX]⁺, [2M+MetX]⁺ and [3M–H+Co]⁺, where M is the diol, Met is the metal used and X is the counter ion (acetate, chloride, nitrate). Copper showed the weakest formation of metal complexes with di‐exo‐2,3‐disubstituted trinorbornanediol yielding only the minor singly charged ions [M–H+Cu]⁺, [2M–H+Cu]⁺ and [2M+CuX]⁺. No clear differences were noted for cobalt complex formation, especially for cis‐2,3‐disubstituted isomers. However, 2,5‐disubstituted trinorbornanediols showed moderate diastereomeric differentiation because of the unidentate nature of the sterically more hindered exo‐isomer. trans‐Isomers gave rise to abundant [3M–H+Co]⁺ ion products, which may be considered a characteristic ion for bicyclo[221]heptane trans‐2,3‐ and trans‐2,5‐diols. To differentiate cis‐2,3‐isomers, the collision‐induced dissociation (CID) products for [3M+Co]²⁺, [M+CoOAc]⁺, [2M–H+Co]⁺ and [2M+CoOAc]⁺ cobalt complexes were investigated. The results of the CID of the monomeric and dimeric metal adduct complexes [M+CoOAc]⁺ and [2M–H+Co]⁺ were stereochemically controlled and could be used for stereochemical differentiation of the compounds investigated. In addition, the structures and relative energies of some complex ions were studied using hybrid density functional theory calculations. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A study of metal chelation of dinucleotide analogs in the gas phase by fast-atom bombardment mass spectrometry

Fast-atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectrometry was used to investigate the interaction of proton and alkali metal ions with dinucleotide analogs such as T-n-T (T = thymine moiety, n = polyether chain, e.g., triethylene, tetraethylene, pentaethylene, and hexaethylene ether 1–4), A-n-T (A = adenine unit 5–8), and T-n-OMe (9–12) in 3-nitrobenzyl alcohol matrix. The [M + H]⁺ ion is the most abundant ion for the A-n-T series, whereas in 1–4 and 9–12 the (TC₂H₄)⁺ ion is the most abundant. Formation of [M + H -C₂H₄O]⁺ ions, a characteristic fragmentation of crown ethers under electron ionization, is observed for compounds 1–12 and is more pronounced in 6 and 7. An abundant [M ? H]^? ion is observed for all the compounds studied under negative ion FAB due to the presence of the (-CO-NH-CO-) group of thymine, an indication of existence of intramolecular H bonding. The FAB mass spectra of 1–12 with alkali metal ions (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, and Cs⁺) showed formation of abundant metal-coordinated ions ([M + Met]⁺ and [TC₂H₄ + Met]⁺). Compounds 3, 4, 6, 7, and 10–12 showed ions due to the substitution of the thymine moiety by a hydroxyl group ([M + Met ? 108]⁺, Met = metal ion). For compound 3 alone, substitution of two thymine groups ([M + Met - 216]⁺) was observed. Metastable ion studies were used to elucidate the structures of these potentially significant ions, and the ion formule were confirmed with high resolution measurements. Selectivity toward metal complexation with ligand size was seen in the T-n-T and A-n-T series and was even more pronounced in A-n-T series. These dinucleotide analogs fall in the following order of chelation of alkali metal ions, acyclic glymes < dinucleotide analogs (acyclic glymes substituted with nitrogen bases) < crown ethers, which places them in perspective as receptor models.     

Mass spectra of some (Z)-α-Phenyl-β-(2-thienyl)acrylonitriles

The mass spectra of some (Z)α-(4-R′-phenyl)-β-(2-thienyl-5-R)acrylonitriles (R = H, CH₃, Br; R′ = H, CH₃O, CH₃, Cl, NO₂) at 70 eV are reported. Mass spectra exhibit pronounced molecular ions. The compound's where R = H, and CH₃ are characterized by the occurrence of a strong [M - H]⁺ peak. Moreover, in all the compounds a m/z 177 peak occurs. In the compounds where R = H, [M - HS]* and [M - CHS]* ions are present except the nitroderivatives. Where R = CH₃, [M - HS]⁺ ion occurs.     

Fragmentation Characteristics of Deprotonated N-linked Glycopeptides: Influences of Amino Acid Composition and Sequence

Glycopeptide structural analysis using tandem mass spectrometry is becoming a common approach for elucidating site-specific N-glycosylation. The analysis is generally performed in positive-ion mode. Therefore, fragmentation of protonated glycopeptides has been extensively investigated; however, few studies are available on deprotonated glycopeptides, despite the usefulness of negative-ion mode analysis in detecting glycopeptide signals. Here, large sets of glycopeptides derived from well-characterized glycoproteins were investigated to understand the fragmentation behavior of deprotonated N-linked glycopeptides under low-energy collision-induced dissociation (CID) conditions. The fragment ion species were found to be significantly variable depending on their amino acid sequence and could be classified into three types: (i) glycan fragment ions, (ii) glycan-lost fragment ions and their secondary cleavage products, and (iii) fragment ions with intact glycan moiety. The CID spectra of glycopeptides having a short peptide sequence were dominated by type (i) glycan fragments (e.g., ^2,4A_R, ^2,4A_R-1, D, and E ions). These fragments define detailed structural features of the glycan moiety such as branching. For glycopeptides with medium or long peptide sequences, the major fragments were type (ii) ions (e.g., [peptide + ^0,2X₀–H]^– and [peptide–NH₃–H]^–). The appearance of type (iii) ions strongly depended on the peptide sequence, and especially on the presence of Asp, Asn, and Glu. When a glycosylated Asn is located on the C-terminus, an interesting fragment having an Asn residue with intact glycan moiety, [glycan + Asn–36]^–, was abundantly formed. Observed fragments are reasonably explained by a combination of existing fragmentation rules suggested for N-glycans and peptides.

Ion-molecule reactions observed for nitroaromatic compounds in negative ion fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry

Analyses of a series of nitroaromatic compounds using fast atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectrometry are discussed. An interesting ion-molecule reaction leading to [M + O ? H]^? ions is observed in the negative ion FAB spectra. Evidence from linked-scan and collision-induced dissociation spectra proved that [M + O ? H]^? ions are produced by the following reaction: M + NO₂^? → [M + NO₂]^? → [M + O ? H]^?. These experiments also showed that M^?˙ ions are produced in part by the exchange of an electron between M and NO₂^? species. All samples showed M^?˙, [M ? H]^? or both ions in their negative ion FAB spectra. Not all analytes studied showed either [M + H]⁺ and/or M⁺˙ in the positive ion FAB spectra. No M⁺˙ ions were observed for ions having ionization energies above ～9 eV.     

Gas-Phase Oxidation of Neutral Basic Residues in Polypeptide Cations by Periodate

The gas-phase oxidation of doubly protonated peptides containing neutral basic residues to various products, including [M + H + O]⁺, [M – H]⁺, and [M – H – NH₃]⁺, is demonstrated here via ion/ion reactions with periodate. It was previously demonstrated that periodate anions are capable of oxidizing disulfide bonds and methionine, tryptophan, and S-alkyl cysteine residues. However, in the absence of these easily oxidized sites, we show here that systems containing neutral basic residues can undergo oxidation. Furthermore, we show that these neutral basic residues primarily undergo different types of oxidation (e.g., hydrogen abstraction) reactions than those observed previously (i.e., oxygen transfer to yield the [M + H + O]⁺ species) upon gas-phase ion/ion reactions with periodate anions. This chemistry is illustrated with a variety of systems, including a series of model peptides, a cell-penetrating peptide containing a large number of unprotonated basic sites, and ubiquitin, a roughly 8.6 kDa protein.

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Mass spectrometry of 3-substituted 4-hydroxyisoquinolines and their derivatives

Under electron impact, 3-aryl-4-hydroxyisoquinolines form [M – H]⁺, [M – CO]⁺ and [M – H – CO]⁺ ions with a subsequent elimination of HCN or CH₃CN. A cyclic structure for the [M – H]⁺ ion is suggested. The primary act of fragmentation of the corresponding methyle ether derivatives is the loss of CH₃?, as well as H?; the further fragmentatio is similar to that described above. It has been established that the unusual [M – H]⁺, [M – OH]⁺ and [M – CH₅?]⁺ ions are formed when 8 fragments. Fragmentation schemes for all compounds are proposed based upon high resolution mass spectra and deuterated analogues.