A feature of the fragmentation mechanism of exo-2-norbornyl chloride. Stereoselective hydrogen atom abstraction revealed by metastable ion studies

The position of deuterium in the products of the addition of HCL and DCI to exo 5, 6-d₂ norbornene has been determined mass spectrometrically by measuring metastable ion abundances. The results show a stereo-selective hydrogen atom abstraction when the molecular ion of exo-2-norbornyl chloride fragements by loss of a chloroethyl radical.     

A new mass spectrometric method for determining the degree of labeling with heavy isotopes: The study of deuterated toluenes

A new method of general applicability for determining the percentage deuterium labeling in organic compounds is described. It uses the heights of ‘metastable peaks’ in the mass spectrum to determine the relative amounts of deuterated and undeuterated species. The method is illustrated by describing the analysis of mixtures of toluene-o-d₁ and toluene, of toluene α-d₁ and toluene, and of toluene-2,6-d₂, toluene-o-d₁ and toluene.     

The expulsion of OH˙ from the [M ? C2H4]+˙ ion from ethyl benzoate: Ring-deuterated compounds

Mass spectra and ion kinetic energy (IKE) spectra of o-, m- and p-d₁ ethyl benzoates have given further information on the loss of OH˙ and OD˙ from the [M ? C₂H₄]⁺˙ ions. The ‘metastable peaks’ in the mass spectra give information on fragmentations in the field-free region following the electric sector; the IKE spectra give information on fragmentations in the field-free region preceding this sector. Transfer of hydrogen and deuterium from the ortho-positions on the ring to the carboxyl group can occur, but scrambling of ring hydrogens does not take place. A sample of o-d₁ benzoic acid was also examined and confirmed that similar transfer reactions occur in this compound too.     

Mass spectra of ethenol and its deutero analogues

Ethenol, 1-d-ethenol, O-d-ethenol and Z-2-d-ethenol were prepared by pyrolysis of corresponding 5-norbornenols at 800^°C/2 × 10^?6 Torr. The most important fragments in the electron impact mass spectrum of ethenol are [C₂H₃O]⁺ and CHO⁺ and CH₃˙. The hydrogen atom eliminated from the molecular ion comes mainly from the hydroxyl group (68%) and to a lesser extent from C(1) (25%) and C(2) (7%). The loss of the hydroxyl hydrogen is preceded by rate-determining migration of the hydrogen atom from C(1) onto C(2) to yield CH₃C?OH⁺˙ions that decompose to CH₃CO⁺ and H˙. The loss of deuterium from O-d-ethenol shows a very small primary isotope effect (k_H/k_D=1.07), whereas a significant effect is observed for the loss of hydrogen from 1-d-ethenol (k_H/k_D=1.28). The appearance energy of [C₂H₂DO]⁺ from 1-d-ethenol, AE=11.32 eV, gives a critical energy for the hydrogen loss, E=203 kJ mol^?1, which is 90 kJ mol^?1 above the thermochemical threshold for CH₃CO⁺+H˙. The appearance energy of CDO⁺ from 1-d-ethenol was measured as 12.96±0.07 eV, which sets the barrier to isomerization to CH₃CDO⁺˙ at 1121 kJ mol^?1. The ionization energy of ethenol was found to be 9.22±0.03 eV.     

Organic mass spectrometry—X. Electron impact fragmentations of alkylthio group in 2-alkylthio-5-aminothiazolo[5,4-d] pyrimidines

In order to discuss hydrogen transfer in the skeletal fragmentation of thioethers on electron impact, mass spectra of a series of 2-n-alkylthio-5-aminothiazolo [5,4-d]pyrimidines have been determined. To aid the interpretation of the hydrogen migration, deuterium-labeled compounds which are substituted with deuterium in each position of 2-n-butylthio-5-aminothiazolo-pyrimidines were studied. By correlation of the spectra obtained from such labeled compounds, the initial hydrogen migration in the fragmentation to produce [M ? SH], [MS ? CH₃] and m/e 184 ions is concluded to be as follows: migration of the α-hydrogen atom to the sulfur induces formation of the [M ? SH] ion; migration of the β-hydrogen atom to the sulfur or nitrogen atom by a McLafferty rearrangement induces formation of the m/e 184 ion; and migration of γ-hydrogen atom to the sulfur induces formation of the [M ? SCH₃] ion.     

Fragmentation of organosulfur compounds upon electron impact. Part III. Metastable decomposition of the molecular ions of methyl thioglycolate and ethyl thioglycolate

The metastable decompositions of the molecular ions of methyl thioglycolate (1) and ethyl thioglycolate (2) were investigated by means of mass analyzed ion kinetic energy (MIKE) spectra and deuterium labeling. The loss of methanol is the only metastable decomposition of 1^+·. This fragmentation occurs via two distinct pathways. The molecular ions of 2 decompose in a variety of ways, i.e., the losses of water, ethene, ethanol or ?₂H₃O₂. All of these decompositions, except the loss of ethene, occur through two distinct mechanisms. During the loss of ?₂H₃O₂, the ethyl group or ethene migrates from the oxygen to the sulfur atom. The loss of H?S, which corresponds to the loss of H?O with a concomitant double hydrogen transfer observed in the case of methyl glycolate (3), does not participate in the metastable decomposition of 1^+· and 2^+·. This is due to the energetic favorableness of the loss of methanol.     

Charge Localization: Doubly-Charged Ion Reactions in Toluene

The kinetic energy released in the major charge-separation reactions of [C₇H₈]⁺⁺ [C₇H₇]⁺⁺ and [C₇H₆]⁺⁺ formed from toluene, and in the corresponding reactions of toluene-α-d₃, toluene-d₈ and 2,3,4,5,6-toluene-d₆ has been measured. Some fragmenting [C₇]⁺⁺ ions are linear; in certain cases they have cyclic structures while in others ‘coiling’ of a linear ion to allow hydrogen transfer in the transition state is suggested. From relative metastable ion abundance data it is apparent that nearly complete H/D randomization accompanies these slow reactions.     

Destabilized carbenium ions: α-carbomethoxy-α,α-dimethyl-methyl cations

Tertiary α-carbomethoxy-α,α-dimethyl-methyl cations a have been generated by electron impact induced fragmentation from the appropriately α-substituted methyl isobutyrates 1–4. The destabilized carbenium ions a can be distinguished from their more stable isomers protonated methyl methacrylate c and protonated methyl crotonate d by MIKE and CA spectra. The loss of I^— and Br˙ from the molecular ions of 1 and 2, respectively, predominantly gives rise to the destabilized ions a, whereas loss of Cl˙ from [3]^{+ ˙} results in a mixture of ions a and c. The loss of CH₃˙ from [4]⁺˙ favours skeletal rearrangement leading to ions d. The characteristic reactions of the destabilized ions a are the loss of CO and elimination of methanol. The loss of CO is associated by a very large KER and non-statistical kinetic energy release (T₅₀ = 920 meV). Specific deuterium labelling experiments indicate that the α-carbomethoxy-α,α-dimethyl-methyl cations a rearrange via a 1,4-H shift into the carbonyl protonated methyl methacrylate c and eventually into the alkyl-O protonated methyl methacrylate before the loss of methanol. The hydrogen rearrangements exhibit a deuterium isotope effect indicating substantial energy barriers between the [C₅H₉O₂]⁺ isomers. Thus the destabilized carbenium ion a exists as a kinetically stable species within a potential energy well.     

Intramolecular aromatic substitution reactions in substituted N,N-dimethylthiobenzamide ions

The molecular ions of N,N-dimethylthiobenzamide and its ortho substituted derivatives (substituents CH₃, Cl, Br, I) lose a hydrogen atom and/or the ortho substituent. The mechanism of this process has been studied by measurements of the ionization energies, appearance energies of the product ions m/z 164 and the kinetic energy release during this process. The structure of the product ions m/z 164 and relevant reference ions have been investigated by mass analysed ion kinetic energy spectra, B/E linked scan spectra and collision induced decompositions. The results show clearly the formation of two different kinds of product ions m/z 164 depending on the substituent lost. Type a ions are formed by loss of a H atom or the CH₃ substituent and correspond to protonated 3,4-benzo-N-methylpyroline-2-thione. The formation of these ions occurs by a hydrogen rearrangement followed by an intramolecular substitution via a 5-membered cyclic intermediate and is associated with a large release of kinetic energy. In contrast, the loss of the halogeno substituents to give type b ions probably occurs via a direct displacement reaction by the sulfur atom of the thioamide group giving rise to Gaussian shaped peaks mass analysed ion kinetic energy spectra.     

A field ionization study of octan-2-one

H/D randomization is not observed within the octan-2-one-1,1,1,3,3-d₅ molecular ion at times less than 7 × 10^?10 sec following field ionization. Partial H/D randomization is observbed at 10^?6 to 10^?5 sec. It is deduced that the curves of microscopic rate constant k against internal excitation energy E for the reactions effecting randomization and for the McLafferty rearrangement intersect. The field ionization kinetics (FIK) for the McLafferty rearrangement in octan-2-one-1,1,1,3,3-d₅ are investigated over a time range extending from 10^?11 to 10^?6 sec. The maximum microscopic rate constant k for the reaction is estimated as 5 × 10¹⁰ sec^?1. It is suggested that FIK measurements with a double focusing mass spectrometer be made by sweeping the blade potential rather than by the alternative technique of sweeping the electric sector analyzer potential. The ‘normnal’ FI mass spectra of octan-2 one and octan-2-one and octan-2-one-1,1,1,3,3-d₅ are presented and discussed. It is proposed that the m/e 56 species in the ‘normal’ FI mass spectrum of octan-2-one represents a doubly charged ion formed by loss of oxygen in a surface process.     

The formation of [CH5O]+ and ions from the molecular ions of isobutyl alcohol

On the basis of field ionization kinetic and deuterium labelling experiments, it is shown that the molecular ions of isobutyl alcohol generate [CH₅O]⁺ ions at 10^?11 s via a 1,4-shift of a hydrogen atom from one of the methyl groups to the oxygen atom, followed by a 1,2-elimination of protonated methanol with a hydrogen atom of the other methyl group. At times > 10^?11 s two distinct interchange processes between hydrogen atoms appear to compete with this reaction, as shown from field ionization kinetic experiments and metastable decompositions. Ion cyclotron resonance experiments on the long-lived [CH₅O]⁺ ions further demonstrate that they are protonated methanol ions. Arguments are put forward that the ions, generated by a specific 1,3-elimination of a molecule of water from metastable decomposing molecular ions, have an isobutene structure.     

Origin of the [C4H9O]+ ions in the mass spectrum of n-butyl ethyl ether

The mechanisms of formation of m/z 73 ions in the mass spectrum of the ionized title compound were investigated by deuterium substitution and by examining the decompositions of metastable ions. Two routes to the [C₄H₉O]⁺ ions were found in the normal spectrum. The ethyl lost by the major pathway contains the α- and β-hydrogens and a γ-hydrogen from the butyl group. The minor route involves the loss of ethylene from the [M? H]⁺ ion. There were metastable peaks for losses of ethyl, ethanol and methyl from the molecular ion. The ethyl contains the α- and β-methylenes and a γ-hydrogen, while the methyl is the δ-methyl of the butyl group. The labeling data rule out a previous mechanistic proposal for the loss of ethyl and support a mechanism involving stepwise isomerization to the sec-butyl ethyl ether molecular ion. However, the metastable ion chemistries of the molecular ions from the n- and sec-butyl ethyl ethers are highly dissimilar, perhaps due to decompositions from different electronic states. The n-pentyl methyl ether ions loses both ethyl and propyl, apparently following rearrangements to the 3-pentyl and 2-pentyl ether ions. Di n-butyl and n-butyl methyl ethers also give metastable peaks for loss of methyl, ethyl and the shorter chain alcohol.     

The mass spectrum of 2-cyclohexenol: Loss of CH3⋅ and H⋅ from the molecular ion

Methyl radical and hydrogen atom losses from the molecular ion of 2-cyclohexenol and deuterium labelled analogues have been studied. For fragmentations occurring in the first field free region, H? loss is a random process, whereas CH₃? loss is highly specific involving the C-1 hydrogen atom and the C-5 methylene group. A mechanism consistent with these results is proposed.     

Ortho effects–I: Fragmentation mechanisms in some ortho-substituted nitroarenes

The mass spectra of o-nitrobenzoic acid, o-nitroanisole, o-nitrosobenzoic acid, o-nitrobenzamide, o-nitrobenzyl alcohol and o-nitrosobenzaldehyde have been studied. Fragmentation mechanisms are proposed for the above compounds; their elucidation was aided by isotopic labeling with D and O¹⁸. Two ‘ortho-effects’ are discussed; one involving H atom transfer between substituents and the other migration of an atom or group to a charge carrying vacant ortho position. The importance of nitro to nitrite conversion in molecular and fragment ions is discussed.     

Mass spectrometric studies of 4-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzofurans

The mass spectra of alkyl and aryl 4-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzofurans have been determined and the fragmentation patterns are established unambiguously by deuterium labelling in the 5,5,7,7-d₄ position.     

The elimination of metal(I) hydride in the mass spectra of some metal(II) compounds

Metal(I) hydrides are eliminated as neutral species in the electron impact ionization mass spectra of copper(II) and palladium(II) complexes of ethylene-N,N′-3-benzoylprop-2-en-2-amine. Deuterium labelling shows that the hydrogen atom of the metal(I) hydride is derived predominantly from the ethylene bridge both for ion source reactions and for metastable ion transitions. Evidence supporting the proposed rationalization for elimination of metal(I) hydride is provided by the observation of an analogous reaction in the mass spectrum of (ethylene-N,N′-salicylaldiminato)copper(II). The mass spectrum of ethylene-d₄-N,N′-3-benzoylprop-2-en-2-amine shows an unusual rearrangement to give [C₇H₅D₂]⁺ ions involving a formal phenyl-to-methylene transfer.     

A comparison of electron impact mass spectrometry of isomeric pyranocoumarins (pyrano[3,2-c][1]benzopyran-5-ones) and pyranochromones (pyrano[2,3-b][1]benzopyran-5-ones)

The mass spectrometric behaviour of two pairs of isomeric 2,2-dimethylpyrano[3,2-c][1]benzopyran-5-ones (pyranocoumarins) and 2,2-dimethylpyrano[2,3-b][1]benzopyran-5-ones (pyranochromones) and four pairs of isomeric 2-hydroxymethyl-2-methylpyrano[3,2-c][1]benzopyran-5-ones (pyranocoumarins) and 2-hydroxymethyl-2-methylpyrano[2,3-b][1] benzopyran-5-ones (pyranochromones) has been studied in detail with the aid of exact mass measurements, linked scans, collisionally activated decompositions and deuterium labelling experiments. The presence in both series of compounds of the same ions derived by structural interconversion of both molecular ions is emphasized, and structural information on the ions [C₇H₅O₂]⁺ (m/z 121), highly characteristic for these classes of compounds, as for 4-hydroxycoumarins, is reported.     

Regiospecificity of intramolecular hydrogen transfer in cyclohexanol following chemical ionization

Both H₂O and HDO are eliminated from protonated d₁₁-cyclohexanol under chemical ionization conditions using methane as the reagent gas. The elimination of H₂O and HDO from the [M+H]⁺ ions of cyclohexanol specifically labeled with deuterium in the 1; 2,6; 3,5; and 4 positions has been measured. It is found that there is considerable selectivity as to the position from which deuterium is lost in the elimination of HDO. That is, transfer from C-4 is favored, some transfer from C-3(5) occurs, little deuterium is lost from C-2(6) and none is lost from C-1. A mechanism involving ring protonation and ring opening followed by deuterium transfer to oxygen with subsequent loss of HDO is proposed to account for these observations.     

The effect of para-substitution on the mass spectra of arylsulphonate esters of neopentanol

The mass spectra of several para-substituted benzenesulfonic and benzoic esters of unlabelled and 1,1-d₂-neopentyl alcohol are examined and compared. Evidence is presented of migration of the aryl group from the sulfur to an oxygen atom in the molecular ions of the sulfonic esters. The nature of the fragmentation processes and the occurrence of metastable ions for these processes are both much more dependent upon the polarity of the para substituent in the case of the sulfonates than for the benzoates. Elimination of C₅H₁₀ occurs from the molecular ion of the p-methoxysulfonate with transfer to the residual ion of a hydrogen atom selected randomly from the alkyl fragment, while in the case of the p-aminosulfonate, incomplete randomization is demonstrated.     

Mass spectrometry of heterocyclic compounds. VII—Evidence for common structure(s) of 1,2-benzisothiazole and benzothiazole molecular ions produced by electron-impact

1,2-Benzisothiazole and benzothiazole ion kinetic energy spectra, and metastable ion relative abundances of the same primary and secondary decomposition processes are compared. The results are interpretable as postulating slow (metastable) process(es) involving common structures and fast process(es)which are structurally dependent. Analogous indications are given by the interring H/D scrambling data, preceding the loss of DCN (or HCN) from 1,2-benzisothiazole-3-d₁ and benzothiazole-2-d₁ molecular ions, measured in either metastable or normal daughter ions at various electron beam energies.