Selective ion-molecule reactions of lactams with dimethyl ether ions.

The ion-molecule reactions of dimethyl ether ions CH3OCH3 (+) and (CH3OCH3)H(+), and four- to seven-membered ring lactams with methyl substituents in various positions were characterized by using a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer and a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer. In both instruments, the lactams were protonated by dimethyl ether ions and formed various combinations of [M + 13] (+), [M + 15] (+), and [M + 45] (+) adduct ions, as well as unusual [M + 3] (+) and [M + 16] (+) adduct ions. An additional [M + 47] (+) adduct ion was formed in the conventional chemical ionization source of the triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer. The product ions were isolated and collisionally activated in the quadrupole ion trap to understand formation pathways, structures, and characteristic dissociation pathways. Sequential activation experiments were performed to elucidate fragment ion structures and stepwise dissociation sequences. Protonated lactams dissociate by loss of water, ammonia, or methylamine; ammonia and carbon monoxide; and water and ammonia or methylamine. The [M + 16] (+) products, which are identified as protonated lactone structures, are only formed by those lactams that do not have an N-methyl substituent. The ion-molecule reactions of dimethyl ether ions with lactams were compared with those of analogous amides and lactones.