Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry of Complex Molecules. II. Alkaloids

H. M. Fales, H. A. Lloyd, and G. W. A. Milne

Contribution from the Molecular Disease Branch, National Heart Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20014.

Received August 8, 1969

Abstract: The chemical ionization mass spectra of 29 alkaloids, representing nine of the eighteen major alkaloid families, have been measured using methane as reactant gas. These spectra are discussed in terms of the structure of the compounds, with particular reference to their conventional electron impact mass spectra. The quasi-molecular ion  (M + 1)⁺ is invariably more relatively abundant in the chemical ionization mode than is the molecular ion in the electron impact mode. Both spectra supply structural data that is often of a complementary nature, via fragmentation.

Journal of the American Chemical Society 92, 1590-1597, ( 1970)