Determination of double bond position in conjugated dienes by chemical ionization mass spectrometry with isobutane

The chemical ionization (CI) mass spectra of a series of functionalized conjugated dienes, including aldehydes, alcohols, formates, acetates, and hydrocarbons were investigated to determine whether fragmentations occur that are characteristic of the position of the conjugated system within the hydrocarbon chain. CI with isobutane as ionizing gas produces structure-specific fragment ions with m/z ratios that can be used to locate the positions of the double bonds in most of the cases studied. When the conjugated system is proximal to the functional group or conjugated with the functional group, other fragmentation processes take precedence. These patterns of fragmentations constitute a very useful analytical tool for the location of conjugated double bonds in a variety of natural products. 34 references, 3 tables, 3 figures.