Fragmentation reactions of Cu+‐cationated α‐amino acids

Abstract

AbstractThe Cu+‐cationated species of 12 α‐amino acids have been prepared by fast‐atom bombardment and the unimolecular (metastable ion) fragmentation reactions have been examined by tandem mass spectrometry. The major unimolecular fragmentation reactions observed involve elimination of H2O, elimination of CO2 and elimination of CH2O2. In addition, for Cu+‐cationated asparagine and glutamine, elimination of NH3 is a significant reaction and for Cu+‐cationated proline, elimination of H2 is a major fragmentation reaction. It is concluded that there are three pathways to elimination of (H2, C, O2), direct elimination of CH2O2, direct elimination of (H2O+CO) and elimination of (CO2+H2).