Isomeric dependence of the formation of ion/neutral complexes in dissociation reactions of ionized propoxypyridines

The mechanistic aspects of the dissociation reactions of the molecular ions of isomeric propoxypyridines have been examined with the use of deuterium labelling and tandem mass spectrometry. The ionized 2- and 3-propoxypyridin es dissociate predominantly by the loss of propene, whereas the molecular i ons of 4-propoxy- and 3-isopropoxypyridine react by the competing losses of a propene molecule and an allyl radical. The loss of propene from the meta stable molecular ions of the 2-isomer involves a 1,5-H shift from the 2-pos ition of the propyl group to the ring as evidenced by the labelling experim ents. For the metastable molecular ions of 3-propoxypyridine, the results a re in agreement with propene loss by a pathway involving formation of a [C5 H4NO./(CH3)(2)CH+] complex which reacts further by proton transfer prior to dissociation. In contrast to these findings, interchange between the hydro gen atoms at the 2-position of the propyl group, and the 3- or 5-position o f the pyridine ring, occurs in ionized 4-propoxypyridine. This interchange can precede the formation of a [C5H4NO./(CH3)(2)CH+] complex and the occurr ence of proton transfer within this species. The [C5H5NO+./C3H6] complex fo rmed in the proton transfer step may either expel propene or react by hydro gen atom transfer prior to the loss of an allyl radical. For the metastable ions of 4-isnpropoxypyridine, interchange between a hydrogen atom from one of the methyl groups of the alkyl chain and the aromatic ring appears to b e of minor importance. (Int J Mass Spectrom 199 (2000) 1-16) (C) 2000 Elsev ier Science B.V.