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.