Mass spectrometric techniques for structure and novelty determination of kirromycin-like antibiotics

Direct liquid introduction negative ion mass spectra have been studied for some kirromycin class antibiotics. A scheme for the interpretation of the mass spectral fragmentation patterns is presented and shown to be useful for structure elucidation and novelty determination. Since these spectra are obtained by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry, antibiotic isolates need not be highly purified. However, where pure preparations are available confirmation of molecular weight assignments may be obtained with fast atom bombardment ionization.