A study of the electrospray ionisation of pharmacologically significant 1,4-benzodiazepines and their subsequent fragmentation using an ion-trap mass spectrometer.

The electrospray ionisation (ESI) of sixteen pharmacologically significant 1,4-benzodiazepines and their subsequent fragmentation using an ion-trap mass spectrometer have been investigated. Sequential product ion fragmentation experiments (MSn) were performed in order to elucidate the degradation pathways for these compounds. Comparisons were also made between these ESI spectra and those obtained under electron impact (EI) conditions. The data presented in this paper provide useful information on the effect of different substituents on the ionisation/fragmentation processes and can be used in the characterisation of this important class of drugs and their metabolites.