Positive and electron capture negative ion methane chemical ionization mass spectrometry of pyrrolizidine alkaloids.

Pulsed positive and negative ion methane chemical ionization mass spectrometry of pyrrolizidine alkaloids is reported. Positive ion spectra are characterized by a high relative abundance of [MH]+ ions while the negative ion spectra exhibit ion peaks due to dissociative electron capture. Fragmentation in both positive and negative ion spectra primarily occurs at the ester groups with the positive charge residing with the pyrrolizidine ring system while the negative charge in contrast tends to reside with the necic acid moiety. Esterification at C-9 v. C-7 can be distinguished for non-cyclic esters of retronecine in the positive ion spectra.