Metabolic N-oxidation of 3-substituted pyridines: identification of products by mass spectrometry.

The mass spectral characteristics of the N-oxides of a range of 3-substituted pyridines, and of quinoline and isoquinoline, are described. The molecular ion is the base peak in the majority of cases, provided that thermolysis is minimized when using the direct probe or gas chromatography inlets. Chromatographic and mass spectral evidence is presented which indicates that biological oxidation of the heteroaromatic nitrogen of 3-substituted pyridines is a route of metabolism in vivo and in vitro.