Investigation of diterpenoid isosteviol ammonium derivatives by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization ( MALDI ) mass spectra of diterpenoid isosteviol ammonium derivatives have been analyzed. The compounds were synthesized as antibacterial agents. It has been found that peaks of salt cations were detected in positive ion MALDI mass spectra of mono-quaternary derivatives. The fragmentation of bis-quaternary salts depended on the distance between the ammonium centers. Clusters containing dication and acidic matrix anion have been observed for compounds with two quaternized nitrogen atoms connected by a nonanomethylene or a longer spacer. Similar clusters did not form for compounds containing pentamethylene or a shorter spacer between two quaternized nitrogen atoms.