Electron ionization mass spectrometric study of 1,4-dihydro-4-substituted 2,6-dimethyl-3,5-bis(alkoxycarbonyl)pyridines

Using the accurate masses obtained from a time-of-flight instrument and the tandem mass spectrometric (MS/MS) data from an ion trap instrument, electron ionization mass spectra of a series of 1,4-dihydro-4-substituted 2,6-dimethyl-3,5-bis(alkoxycarbonyl)pyridines are reported and rationalized. Two sets of fragmentation pathways are proposed. One involves the formation of fragment ions containing the 1,4-dihydropyridine structure, and the other of ions containing a pyridine ring.