Mass spectrometry of kaurene derivatives—I. The mass spectra of some (−)‐kauran‐16‐ols

Abstract

Abstract The mass spectra of nine compounds belonging to the group of (−)‐kauran‐16‐ols are reported. These compounds differ either by stereochemistry at C 16 (I, II) or by the nature of the substituent at C 4 (III to VIII). In all cases the most characteristic ions correspond to a process in which ring D is split off and lost as a C 3 H 6 O fragment. The nature of the substituent R 1 at C 4 can be deduced from such typical ions as [M  R 1 ]+ or [M  R 1  H 2 O]+. Kauranols epimeric at C 16 show little difference in their mass spectra; the assignment of configuration at this centre may be reliable only when the spectra of both epimers are compared.