The isolation of 11-oxotetrahydrorhombifoline from Ormosia coutinhoi and a study of its mass spectrum
11-Oxotetrahydrorhombifoline (I) has been isolated from the alkaloidal extract of the bark of Ormosia coutinhoi, and its dihydro derivative II has been prepared. An examination of the mass spectra of these compounds and of their 3,3-d2 derivatives has led to the elucidation of the course of the major electron impact induced fragmentations undergone by the molecules. The main fragmentation of I leads to loss of C3H5 from the side chain to form an ion of m/e 221, with a minor path involving a central fission of the molecular ion to form an ion of m/e 150. The mass spectrum of II shows that the loss of C3H7 to form the ion of m/e 221 is a minor process, the main fragmentation reaction involving a central fission to form an ion of m/e 152 analogous to the ion of m/e 150 from I. This change in the spectrum is shown to be consistent with predictions based on the quasi-equilibrium theory of mass spectra.