Mass spectrometric identification of the N‐monosubstituted N‐hydroxylamino functionality in protonated analytes via ion/molecule reactions in tandem mass spectrometry. (16th March 2015) - Sheng, Huaming
Abstract : Rationale: N ‐Monosubstituted hydroxylamines correspond to an important class of metabolites for many bioactive molecules. In this study, a tandem mass spectrometric method based on ion/molecule reactions was developed for the identification of compounds with the N ‐monosubstituted hydroxylamino functionality. Methods: The diagnostic ion/molecule reaction occurs between protonated analytes with 2‐methoxypropene (MOP) inside a linear quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer. Results: Most protonated compounds with N ‐monosubstituted and disubstituted hydroxylamino and oxime functional groups react with MOP via proton transfer and formation of a stable adduct in a linear quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer. However, only protonated compounds with N ‐monosubstituted hydroxylamino groups form the characteristic MOP adduct–MeOH product. Possible mechanisms of this reaction are discussed. Conclusions: A method based on functional group‐selective ion/molecule reactions in a linear quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer has been demonstrated to allow the identification of protonated compounds with the N ‐monosubstituted hydroxylamino functionality. Only N ‐monosubstituted hydroxylamines react with MOP via formation of an adduct that has eliminated methanol. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.