A mass spectrometric study of 4-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-pyridone and its derivatives

The mass spectra of 4-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-pyridone, its N-methyl and N-phenyl derivatives, and also their 4-O-acetyl and 3-C-acyl derivatives have been studied. The proposed fragmentation pathways were supported by comparison of the mass spectra and in some cases by the spectra of deutero analogues. A strong N-phenyl group effect has been found, which in the case of N-phenyl-4-hydroxy- and N-phenyl-4-acetoxy-6-methyl-2-pyridones promotes the formation of the stable M—H]+ and M—CH₃CO]+ ions respectively. These ions are not characteristic of the N—H and N—Me analogues.