RATIONALE: Fast atom bombardment (FAB) ionization is a valuable tool for analyzing non-volatile or thermally labile compounds when harder ionization methods (EI or CI) have been unsuccessful. Unexpected interactions between matrix and analyte may, however, occur in FAB ionization leading to the formation of artifacts whose structures have to be determined. METHODS: We used esters synthesized by our research group following green chemistry protocols. Artifacts relating to the target molecules were produced in the solvent cage using positive ion FAB using thioglycerol as the matrix and analyzed by accurate mass measurement. RESULTS: Through interactions between thioglycerol and the boron atom, various adducts associated with boron-containing Hantzsch and Biginelli ester derivatives appeared in the FAB mass spectra. These interactions must arise in a solvent cage involving a Lewis acid-base bond. Accurate mass determinations of these adducts confirmed the presence of the target molecules. CONCLUSIONS: Interactions between the thioglycerol matrix and the eleven boron-containing Hantzsch and Biginelli ester derivatives in addition to the three reagents were seen in their FAB(+) spectra. These interactions, together with their accurate mass determinations, allowed us to determine the structures of the new molecules.
RATIONALE: Fast atom bombardment (FAB) ionization is a valuable tool for analyzing non-volatile or thermally labile compounds when harder ionization methods (EI or CI) have been unsuccessful. Unexpected interactions between matrix and analyte may, however, occur in FAB ionization leading to the formation of artifacts whose structures have to be determined. METHODS: We used esters synthesized by our research group following green chemistry protocols. Artifacts relating to the target molecules were produced in the solvent cage using positive ion FAB using thioglycerol as the matrix and analyzed by accurate mass measurement. RESULTS: Through interactions between thioglycerol and the boron atom, various adducts associated with boron-containing Hantzsch and Biginelli ester derivatives appeared in the FAB mass spectra. These interactions must arise in a solvent cage involving a Lewis acid-base bond. Accurate mass determinations of these adducts confirmed the presence of the target molecules. CONCLUSIONS: Interactions between the thioglycerol matrix and the eleven boron-containing Hantzsch and Biginelli ester derivatives in addition to the three reagents were seen in their FAB(+) spectra. These interactions, together with their accurate mass determinations, allowed us to determine the structures of the new molecules.