A study of [C7H8]+˙ and [C7H8]2+ ions formed from different precursor molecules

On the basis of unimolecular and collisionally activated decompositions, as well as their charge stripping behaviour, C₇H₈]⁺˙ and C₇H₈]²⁺ ions from a variety of precursors have been studied. In particular, structural characteristics of molecular ions of toluene, cycloheptatriene, norborna-2,5-diene and quadricyclane have been compared to those of C₇H₈]⁺˙ and C₇H₈]²⁺ rearrangement fragment ions obtained from n-butylbenzene, 2-phenylethanol and n-pentylbenzene. Severe interferences from C₇H₇]^2+˙ ion fragmentations have been observed and rationalized.