Continuous-Flow Fast Atom Bombardment Mass Spectrometry of Acetylcholine: Interpretation of Mass Spectral Fragmentation

Abstract

The use of stable isotope analogs and accurate mass analysis has permitted elucidation of the continuous-flow fast atom bombardment mass spectral fragmentation of the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine. These studies showed that the major fragmentation pathway involved loss of trimethylamine from the intact molecular cation and that formation of an ion at m/z 58 proceeded through two different routes. Losses of acetic acid and ketene were observed in addition to the generation of cationized trimethylamine.