Studies on electrospray mass spectrometry of some narcotic drugs

Using electrospray ionization (ESI) and tandem mass spectrometry techniques , the protonic positions in protonated molecular ions of some narcotic drug s were studied, The data of ESI/MSn experiments of morphine and deuterium-l oaded morphine were first discussed. The protonic position was considered t o locate on oxygen atom of cyclic ether in morphine molecular, Compared wit h the same and different: ions among morphine, codeine, acetylcodeine and d ihydrocodeine, the protonic positions in protonated molecular ions of these compounds were further determined. The fragmentation mechanism of morphine in ESI/MSn: experiments was also repored in the paper, and there were simi lar dehydrolysis mechanism in gas phase or in liquid phase for morphine.