| Abstract: | The formation of molecular ions, M+., under fast atom bombardment (FAB) conditions using a liquid matrix was examined by using a new type of synthesized compounds in which preferential M+. peaks appear in their FAB spectra. The FAB spectra were compared with the corresponding mass spectra obtained by the electron impact (EI) ionization, chemical ionization (CI) and charge-exchange ionization (CEI) methods. All of the spectra showed preferential peaks of M+. ion and a characteristic intense fragment ion peak originating from a β-fission. The FAB spectra were similar in the fragment ions appearing in the EI spectra and were very similar in the fragmentation pattern to the CEI spectra using Ar+. and Xe+. as the reagent ions. Further, the FAB spectra did not show any doubly charged ion peaks, while the 70 eV EI spectra showed the peaks of doubly charged molecular and/or fragment ions. The isobutane CI spectra of the synthesized compounds suggested that the formation of M+. ions occurred through the CE reaction with isobutane ion, C4H10+., and the CI spectra showed a marked intense fragment ion peak originating from the β-fission which seemed to occur characteristically in CEI processes. The results obtained suggested that the formation of M+. ions under matrix FAB conditions occurred mainly by CE reactions between the analytes M and matrix molecular ions B+. and/or fragment ions b+.. |
