Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Coulomb Explosion Imaging as a Tool to Distinguish Between Stereoisomers
Published on: August 18, 2017
Collision-induced dissociation of 3-keto anabolic steroids and related compounds after electrospray ionization.
Oscar J Pozo1, Peter Van Eenoo, Koen Deventer
1DoCoLab, UGent, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Technologiepark 30, B-9052 Zwijnaarde, Belgium. oscar.pozomendoza@ugent.be
Abstract:
The collision-induced dissociation of forty-one 3-keto anabolic steroids and related compounds has been studied using both triple quadrupole (QqQ) and hybrid quadrupole-time of flight (QTOF) instruments. Due to the complexity of the product ion spectra of these analytes, which generate a large number of ions, only two specific regions were studied in depth: the product ions near the precursor ion (m/z > or =M-100) and the most abundant product ions at a collision energy of 30 eV. Accurate mass measurements were used in order to obtain an unequivocal assignment of the empirical formula and the origin of each selected product ion. Analytes have been divided into eight groups according to the number and position of double bonds and the presence of functional groups such as hydroxyl- or nitrogen-containing rings. A correlation between the steroid structure and the product ions obtained has been postulated. The application of these correlations can be useful in the elucidation of feasible structures for unknown steroids and/or their metabolites.
Related Concept Videos
Chemical Ionization (CI) Mass Spectrometry
Mass Spectrometry: Carboxylic Acid, Ester, and Amide Fragmentation
For example, the fragmentation of...
Mass Spectrometry: Molecular Fragmentation Overview
One type of fragmentation pattern is the cleavage of a single bond in the molecular ion. The cleavage leads to a radical and a cation. The cleavage can occur at...
Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Mass Spectrometry: Aldehyde and Ketone Fragmentation
Electrospray Ionization (ESI) Mass Spectrometry
ESI utilizes electrical energy to transfer ions from the liquid phase of the sample into the...
