Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Analyzing Large Protein Complexes by Structural Mass Spectrometry
Published on: June 19, 2010
Intramolecular transacylation: fragmentation of protonated molecules via ion-neutral complexes in mass spectrometry
Ya-Ping Tu1, Yingying Huang, Christian Atsriku
1Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Genelabs Technologies, Inc., 505 Penobscot Drive, Redwood City, CA 94063, USA. Yaping.5.Tu@gsk.com
Abstract:
An intramolecular transacylation reaction was observed in the mass spectrometry of molecules containing both benzoyl and carboxymethyl groups on an aromatic heterocyclic core. The reaction is triggered by a dissociative protonation on the heterocyclic ring at the atom (carbon or nitrogen) that bonds to the benzoyl group, leading to an intermediate ion-neutral complex. The incipient benzoyl cation in the complex migrates to attack the carboxyl group of the neutral partner at the carbonyl or hydroxyl oxygen under thermodynamic or kinetic control, respectively. Elimination of benzoic acid followed by loss of carbon monoxide takes place as a result of the transacylation.
More Related Videos
10:01Combining Chemical Cross-linking and Mass Spectrometry of Intact Protein Complexes to Study the Architecture of Multi-subunit Protein Assemblies
Published on: November 28, 2017
16:40T-wave Ion Mobility-mass Spectrometry: Basic Experimental Procedures for Protein Complex Analysis
Published on: July 31, 2010
Related Concept Videos
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...
Mass Spectrometry: Carboxylic Acid, Ester, and Amide Fragmentation
For example, the fragmentation of...
Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Mass Spectrometry of Amines
Chemical Ionization (CI) Mass Spectrometry
Mass Spectrometry: Alkyne Fragmentation