Electron impact induced fragmentation of 4-alkyl derivatives of 2,6,7-trioxa-1-phosphabicyclo[2.2.2]octane and the corresponding 1-oxides, 1-sulfides and 1-selenides

The electron impact fragmentations of several derivatives of 2,6,7-trioxa-1-phosphabicyclo[2.2.2]octane have been examined by means of high resolution and metastable ion analysis. The principal fragmentation route for bicyclophosphites, phosphates and phosphorothionates involves a loss of formaldehyde, followed by a loss of the PO₂X and HPO₂X groups (X = -, O, S). The behaviour of phosphoroselenates is quite different, due partly to the favoured loss of selenium from the molecular ion before further fragmentation. Fragmentation through C? O bond breaking and a rearranged molecular ion is dependent on the exocyclic chalcogen atom (-, O, S, Se) on phosphorus. The reactions have been rationalized in terms of 1- and 4-substitutions.