Elucidation of tautomer structures of 2-acetyltetrahydropyridine using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and gas chromatography/infrared spectroscopy

Eur. J. Mass Spectrom. 11, 217–220 (2005)
DOI: 10.1255/ejms.703

Elucidation of tautomer structures of 2-acetyltetrahydropyridine using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and gas chromatography/infrared spectroscopy

Robert A. Sanders,^a David V. Zyzak,^a Thomas R. Morsch^a and George P. Rizzi^b
^aThe Procter & Gamble Company, Winton Hill Business Center, 6300 Center Hill Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45224, USA
^b2542 Blossomhill Lane, Cincinnati, OH 45224, USA

ABSTRACT:

2-Acetyltetrahydropyridine is an important flavor component in heated corn products such as popcorn and corn chips. The compound exists as a mixture of two tautomers that have different flavor/aroma characteristics. The tautomers also exhibit different chromatographic behaviors and are distinguishable spectroscopically. Though their electron ionization mass spectra are different, structure assignment based on low-resolution mass spectra alone has been subject to error. A combination of high resolution exact mass measurement and vapor phase infrared measurement of the separated tautomers was used to unambiguously assign the tautomer structures.

Keywords: acetyltetrahydopyridine, GC/MS, GC/IR, gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, infrared, flavor, aroma, exact mass

You can buy this paper on-line in PDF format; it costs only £11.75. Just click on the BUY on-line button. You can pay on-line through a secure server and get access immediately.