Electron-impact induced fragmentation of 2-substituted pyridines and picolines

The fragmentation patterns obtained upon electron impact on 2-nitro-, 2-chloro, and 2-aminopyridines, as well as those of the corresponding 3-, 4-, 5- and 6-picolines were examined. There was considerable departure from those patterns reported for the corresponding benzenoid derivatives. Although the molecular ion from 2-nitro-3-picoline did not show fragment ions attributable to an “ortho-effect” (unlike o-nitrotoluene), those from 2-chloro- and 2-amino-3-picolines did show a loss of HCl and NH₃, respectively. Quite unexpectedly the ions from 2-chloro- and 2-amino-6-picolines also lost HCl and NH₃. Such meta-eliminations for the 2-substituted-6-picolines are postulated to be preceeded by either hydrogen or methyl migration. The mass spectra of 2-pyridone, 2-pyridthione and their respective 3-, 4-, 5- and 6-methyl analogs were also studied. The primary fragmentations of the 2-pyridones were as expected from those reported in the literature. The ions from 3- and 6-methyl-2-pyridones lost water also, the former being another example of an “ortho-effect” observed in this series. Of the thiones, the fragmentations of 3-methyl-2-pyridthione proved most unique since its molecular ion showed besides the loss of HS, the pronounced elimination of H₂S, the latter presumably due to an “ortho-effect.” Figures are presented to illustrate the patterns and metastable ions are indicated when found for the transitions discussed.