Electron impact mass spectral study of halogenated N-acetyl- and N-propionylcytisines

(−)‐Cytisine and its derivatives, characterised by high affinity to neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors with specificity for the α4β2 subtype, have been shown to be important probes in central nervous system (CNS) research. Electron impact mass spectral (EI‐MS) fragmentations of halogenated derivatives of N‐acetylcytisine and N‐propionylcytisine have been investigated. Detailed fragmentation pathways have been identified for all significant ions including a few characteristic fragment ions. The principal mass spectral fragmentation routes of iodine and bromine compounds have been determined on the basis of low (EI), high resolution (HRD) and B2/E linked scan mass spectra as well as linked scans at constant B/E. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.