Taxoid side‐chain structure determination by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Abstract
A method to elucidate the side‐chain structure of novel taxoids was developed through use of electrospray ionization tandem mass Spectrometry. The intact side‐chain fragments produced by source fragmentation in the atmosphere‐to‐vacuum interface were further dissociated in the collision cell of a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. The distinctive collisionally induced dissociation mass spectra were remarkably informative and gave detailed information on the side‐chain functionalities. This technique proved valuable in the characterization of new taxoids produced by yew‐tree cell cultures.