The fragmentation of doubly charged ions of halogenated benzenes

The unimolecular charge separation fragmentations of doubly charged benzene and 18 derivatives containing various numbers of fluorine, chlorine and bromine atoms have been studied. In the majority of cases two distinct kinds of transition state can be characterized, in one of which the ring system remains intact and in the other of which a linear transition state ion is formed. There is evidence for rearrangement of halogens both around the ring and along the linear chain.