Mass Spectra of Substituted N-Alkylpyrroles and Related Compounds

Under El conditions, substituents on N-alkylpyrroles affect fragmentation of the alkyl groups. The electron-withdrawing character of the cyano group retarded formation of a N-methylene cation, and a labile substituent, i.e., -CHO, -CH₂COOMe, competed with an N-alkyl group to be a initial fragmentation center, MNDO calculation of the heat of formation of possible fragment ions showed that protonated pyridine is the most stable among the isobaric ions.