Electrospray ionization, accurate mass measurements and multistage mass spectrometry experiments in the characterization of stereoisomeric isoquinoline alkaloids.

Mass spectrometry has been employed for the characterization of diastereoisomeric isoquinoline alkaloids. Electrospray ionization was used to generate MH(+) ions, and multistage collisionally activated spectra allowed differentiation among the different compounds via specific fragmentation patterns, whose mechanisms have also been elucidated by accurate mass measurements.