Gas-phase ion/molecule reactions between dimethoxyphosphonium ions and aromatic hydrocarbons

Ion/molecule reactions between O=P(OCH(3))(2)(+) phosphonium ions and six aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, naphthalene, acenaphthylene and fluorene) were performed in a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer. The O=P(OCH(3))(2)(+) phosphonium ions, formed by electron impact from neutral trimethyl phosphite, were found to react with aromatic hydrocarbons (ArHs) to give (i) an adduct [ArH, O=P(OCH(3))(2)](+) and (ii) for ArHs which have an ionization energy below or equal to 8.14 eV, a radical cation ArH(+ *) by charge transfer reaction. Collision-induced dissociation experiments, which produce fragment ions other than the O=P(OCH(3))(2)(+) ions, indicate that the adduct ions are covalent species. Isotope-labeled ArHs were used to elucidate fragmentation mechanisms. The charge transfer reactions were investigated using density functional theory at the B3LYP/6-311 + G(3df,2p)//B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level of theory. The potential energy surface obtained from B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) calculations for the reaction between O=P(OCH(3))(2)(+) and benzene is described.     

Unimolecular gas-phase reactions of the methyl acetoacetate radical cation. Oxygen atom permutation via ion-molecule complexes

The reactions of metastable decomposing methyl acetoacetate (a mixture of keto a ad enol tautomers) are reported and discussed. The unimolecular fragmentations of the tautomers are different. The metastable decomposing radical cation of the keto form displays four specific ions: [M –CO]⁺˙, [M – CH₂O]⁺˙, [M – CH₂CO]⁺˙ and m/z 43. The results derived from D-, ¹³C- and ¹⁸O-labelled precursors together with thermochemical data have been used to study the mechanisms. Experimental results indicate that an unexpected isomerization occurs before dissociation. It formally corresponds to oxygen atom permutation of the two carbonyl groups without participation of the carbon atoms. This remarkable process is interpreted in terms of a mechanism involving ion-molecule complexes.     

Gas-phase reactivity of the O=P(OCH3)2+ phosphonium ion with aliphatic esters in a quadrupole ion trap. Spontaneous elimination of ketenes

Ion-molecule reactions between the O=P(OCH(3))(2) (+) phosphonium ions and five aliphatic esters (methyl acetate, methyl propionate, methyl 2-methylpropionate, methyl butyrate and ethyl acetate) were performed in a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer. The O=P(OCH(3))(2) (+) phosphonium ions, formed by electron ionization from neutral trimethyl phosphite, were found to react with aliphatic esters to give an adduct ion [RR'CHCOOR", O=P(OCH(3))(2)](+), which loses spontaneously a molecule of ketene CH(2)=CO or substituted ketenes RR'C=CO. Isotope-labeled methyl acetate was used to elucidate fragmentation mechanisms. The potential energy surface obtained from B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) calculations for the reaction between O=P(OCH(3))(2) (+) and methyl acetate is described.     

Fragmentation of acylium ions from methyl levulinate. Isomerization processes involving carbon and oxygen atoms of both carbonyl groups

The fragmentations of the acylium ions O?C⁺? CH₂? CH₂? CO₂CH₃ and O?C⁺? CH₂? CH₂? COCH₃ generated from methyl levulinate are governed extensively by the interaction of the two carbonyl groups. Both species eliminate a molecule of CO unimolecularly and under CID conditions. The results derived from measurements of ¹³C and ¹⁸O labelled precursors, together with kinetic energy release values, have been used to study the mechanisms. In the first of these acylium ions, both carbonyl groups are equivalent; this phenomenon can be the result of a 1,4 methoxy shift. In the second acylium ion, only the oxygen atoms change their positions; this isomerization occurs via the [M? H]⁺ of γ-valerolactone. Some other fragmentation processes also discussed in relation to ²H labelling are the formation of the [M ? COOCH₃] ⁺ ion and the loss of HCOOCH₃ in the collision-induced dissociation mass spectra of the first acylium ion, and the formation of the [CH₃CO]⁺ ion and the loss of H₂O for the second one.     

2-substituted-2,3-dihydro-4H-pyrans: Competition between ‘retro Diels-Alder’ fragmentation and substituent loss

The mass spectra of two series of 2-substituted-2,3-dihydro-4H-pyrans (six ethers and six carbonyl derivatives) showed a marked dependence upon the nature of the substituent. α-Cleavage (substituent loss) was the only primary decomposition observed in the carbonyl series, while ‘retro Diels-Alder’ reactions competed with α-cleavage in the ether series. An unambiguous interpretation of this difference in behaviour, based on the consequence of charge localization and thermochemical data, is proposed.     

Spectrometrie de masse,problemes de structure et de stereochimie—CCVII Fragmentations des Ethers Insatures

In connection with work on computerized mass spectral interpretation of organic com-pounds, the behavior of three groups of unsaturated ethers was examined: allylic, substituted allylic and unsaturated ethers with 2 or 3 methylene groups between the oxygen atom and the double bond. A total of 36 compounds (11 labelled) were prepared and mechanistic rationalizations presented. The allylic ethers isomerized to vinylic ethers after ionization. No double bond migration was observed, however, before or after electron-impact of allylic and homoallylic ethers or ethers with 3 methylene groups between the oxygen atom and the double bond. The allylic ethers with seven carbon atoms in the saturated chain lost a saturated alcohol molecule [R' + C₃H₆OH] by a uni-directional quadruple hydrogen transfer prior to fragmentation.     

Analogie Photochimique. II—Cyclisation des Aldéhydes δ,ε Insaturés sous Impact Electronique

The mass spectra of 4, 4-dimethyl δε-unsaturated aldehydes show an ion at m/e 126 which results from the elimination of a neutral olefin directly from the molecular ion. This fragmentation is shown to occur through a cyclohexanone intermediate involving a process whcih has its equivalent in the photochemistry of these aldehydes. The abundance ratios of the unimolecular metastable decompositions of these m/e 126 ions are in excellent agreement with the proposed mechanism.