Study of sinapinyl but-3-enylglucosinolate (Boreavan A) and related compounds by mass spectrometry

Abstract

Electron impact (EI), positive and negative ion fast atom bombardment (FAB) combined with tandem mass spectrometry was used for the structural elucidation of sinapinyl but-3-enylglucosinolate (boreavan A). The EI mass spectra showed the presence of ions due to the sinapic acid moiety. Protonated and deprotonated quasi-molecules and some structurally significant fragment ions due to sulphate were observed in the FAB mass spectra. The tandem mass spectra gave information for the identification of the main building blocks and the sequence ions of the sinapinium cation in boreavan A, and also showed that the number of side chains present in the glucosinolate moiety has a potential influence on the location of the anion part of boreavan A.