Mass spectra of aminoacyl adenylate pentacoordinated phosphorus compounds

Aminoacyl adenylate pentacoordinated phosphorus compounds were analyzed by field desorption (FD) and fast atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectrometries, together with the B/E linked scan technique, and their mass spectral fragmentation pathways were investigated. For the five bonds (one P-N bond, three P-O bonds and one mixed anhydride bond P-O-CO), the cleavage usually occurred more on the P-N bond, the mixed anhydride bond and the O-C bond adjacent to the P-O bond, and less on the P-O bond. Ion YH(+), corresponding to water loss from protonated 2',3'-O-isopropylidene-adenosine, was the base peak. The results reflect the structural characteristics of aminoacyl adenylate pentacoordinated phosphorus compounds. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.