Structural characterization and differentiation of modified isomeric tryptophans.

Different mass spectrometry (MS) techniques have been applied to the study of modified tryptophan isomers obtained by photochemical reactions. The gas phase behavior of the molecular ions and the most abundant fragment ions produced under electron ionization has been selectively studied by MS/MS experiments. Both the fragmentation reactions occurring in the ion source, as well as those produced under collision-induced dissociation conditions have allowed to characterize and differentiate each isomer from the others. Investigation of a bisubstituted derivative has been useful in the rationalization of the gas phase behavior of this series of modified tryptophans. This study has allowed the evaluation of the role played by the substituents and their positions at the indolic ring on the gas phase decompositions that are distinctive and selective for each isomer. The occurrence of regiospecific reactions suggests that isomerization phenomena do not occur either in the molecular ions or in the main fragment ions in the gas phase.