A comparative study of the mass spectra of stilbene and fluorene

A comparative study of metastable peaks formed in the first field free region during the fragmentation of stilbene and fluorene indicates that [M — 1] ion of fluorene and the [M — 15] ion of stilbene have a common [C₁₃H₉]⁺ (m/e 165) ion to only 75%. Demethylation of the stilbene cation leads to some extent to a more reactive [C₁₃H₉]⁺ species with a different structure.     

The ion kinetic energy and mass spectra of isomeric methyl indoles

The mass spectra of the seven isomeric methylindoles were recorded and the [metastable ion]/[daughter ion] ratios for the reactions m/e 130 → m/e 103 and m/e 103 → m/e 77 have been obtained. The ratios indicate that the decomposing [M — 1] ions (m/e 130) from the 4, 5, 6 and 7 isomers are energetically similar as are the [M — 1] ions from the 2 and 3 isomers. The results observed for the m/e → 103 m/e 77 reaction showed that the decomposing m/e 103 ions from the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 isomers all have the same energy distribution. N-Methylindole gave ratios which were similar to the 4 to 7 isomers at 70eV but different at 20 eV. The ion kinetic energy (IKE) spectra of all the isomeric methylindoles were also obtained and the results compared with the data obtained from the [metastable ion]/[daughter ion] approach. The results from the IKE spectra indicated that the energy distributions of the [M — 1] and [(M — 1) — HCN] ions from 1-methylindole and the [(M — 1) — HCN] ions from 2-methylindole could readily be distinguished from other isomers whose [metastable ion]/[daughter ion] ratios were similar. Thus by using both techniques certain ambiguities can be resolved.     

The structure of the [C2H5O]+ ion in the mass spectrum of diethyl ether

The structure of the [C₂H₅O]⁺ ion in the spectrum of diethyl ether was examined by use of deuterated ether, CH₃CD₂OCH₂CH₃. The results show that, at all electron energies from threshold to 70 eV, the predominant ion is a rearrangement ion, probably protonated acetaldehyde, with very little of the [C₂H₅O]⁺ being formed by direct carbon-oxygen bond cleavage. Appearance potential measurements made on the m/e 45, m/e 46 and m/e 47 ions in the deuterated ether show that the threshold structure of the rearrangement ion is protonated acetaldehyde.     

Gas-phase ion-molecule bimolecular and clustering reactions in dilute solutions of acetonitrile in xenon,krypton, argon,neon and helium

Gas-phase bimolecular and clustering reactions of acetonitrile in Xe, Kr, Ar, Ne and He were studied at high chemical ionization pressures in the new coaxial ion source at Auburn. With electron energies near the ionization threshold, the mass spectra are exceedingly simple and are comprised of [CH₄CH]⁺ and clusters of [CH₄CN]⁺ with various ligands such as H₂O and CH₃CN. At higher electron energies many other peaks appear. The intensities of the new peaks depend upon the ionization potential of the charge transfer gas, the ionizing electron energy and the ion source conditions, and are due to reactions of fragment ions. Residence time distributions at electron energies above the ionization threshold (∼ 30 eV) demonstrate that two molecular structures are present in the ion beam at m/z 42, one presumably is protonated acetonitrile ([CH₃CNH]⁺) while the evidence indicates that the second species does not contain acidic hydrogens. With ionizing electron energies near threshold (∼ 10. 5 eV) only one structure is observed. Studies with electron energies near the ionization threshold under high-pressure chemical ionization conditions result in greatly simplified mass spectra and are possible only because of the coaxial geometry of the ion source.     

Electron-impact studies—LI: Hydrogen randomization in the stilbene molecular ion

Hydrozen randomization precedes the formation of M^+· ? H· and M^+· ? CH₃· species from the stilbene molecular ion at 15 eV. The carbon atom involved in the M^+· ? CH₃· elimination originates randomly from the whole molecule. The [M ? 15] ion (m/e 165) in the spectra of stilbene and 9,10-dihydrophenanthrene is produced from a common ion.     

The mass spectra of the trimethylsilyl esters of acetyl,schiff base and isothiocyanate derivatives of some aminoalkylphosphonic acids

Trimethylsilyl esters of acetyl, Schiff base and isothiocyanate derivatives of a series of aminoalkylphosphonic acids were prepared for the purpose of characterizing these phosphorus compounds by combined gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The mass spectra of these derivatives were investigated by means of high resolution mass measurments and deuterium labeling. Ions characteristic of the presence of the trimethylsilylphosnate group were observed at m/e 121, 195, 211 and 225 to 227 in the spectra of all the derivatives. Several ions produced by interaction between the trimethylsilyl group and the derivatized amino function were present, particularly in the spectra of the acetate derivatives ([M — 56]⁺, [M — R]⁺ and [M — 153]⁺, where R is the side chain attached to C-1), and the isothiocynate derivatives (m/e 268, 253, 241, 190 and 116).     

Stereochemical applications of mass spectrometry. 3—Energy dependence of the fragmentation of stereoisomeric methylcyclohexanols

Breakdown graphs have been constructed from charge exchange data for the epimeric 2-methyl-, 3-methyl- and 4-methyl-cyclohexanols. Although the breakdown graphs for epimeric pairs are essentially identical above ～12 eV recombination energy, significant differences are observed for the epimeric 2-methyl- and 4-methyl-cyclohexanols at low internal energies. For the 2-methylcyclohexanols the ratio ([M? H₂O]^+·/[M]^+·)_cis/([M? H₂O]^+·/[M]^+·)_trans is 3.2 in the [C₆F₆]^+· charge exchange mass spectra. This is attributed to both energetic and conformational effects which favour the stereospecific cis-1,4-H₂O elimination for the cis epimer. The breakdown graph for trans-4-methylcyclohexanol shows a sharp peak in the abundance of the [M? H₂O]^+· ion at ～10 eV recombination energy which is absent from the breakdown graph for the cis epimer. This peak is attributed to the stereospecific cis-1,4-elimination of water from the molecular ion of the trans isomer; the reaction appears to have a low critical energy but a very unfavourable frequency factor, and alternative modes of water loss common to both epimers are observed at higher energies. As a result, in the [C₆F₆]^+· charge exchange mass spectra the ([M? H₂O]^+·/[M]^+·)_trans/([M? H₂O]^+·/[M]^+·)_cis ratio is ～24, compared to the value of 13 observed in the 70 eV EI mass spectra. No differences are observed in either the metastable ion abundances or the associated kinetic energy releases for epimeric molecules.     

Analytical application of ion-molecule reactions. Reactions of various substituted cyclopropane molecular ions with ammonia

By ion cyclotron resonance it is found that various substituted cy clopropanes after ionization react with ammonia to give products which allow identification of the degree and kind ofsubstitution on the cyclopropl ring. For example, cyclopropyle reacts to give [CH₂NH₂]⁺ (m/e 30), methylcyclopropane gives [CH₂NH₂]⁺ (m/e 30) and the ethyl substituted [CH(C₂H₃)NH₂]⁺ (m/e 44) and ethylopropane gives [CH₂NH₂]⁺ (m/e 30) and the ethyl substituted [CH(C₂H₅)NH₂]⁺ (m/e 58). It is suggested that reactions of stable molecular ions with reagent neutrals may be a source of highly specific structural information for organic compounds.     

Electron-impact studies—L: Skeletal-rearrangement fragments in the mass spectra of diphenylpyrazoles and -isoxazoles

The mass spectra of all diphenylpyrazoles and -isoxazoles contain rearrangement peaks at m/e 165 [C₁₃H₉]⁺. In addition, the spectra of 3,5-diphenylisoxazoles contain peaks at m/e 180 [C₁₃H₁₀N]⁺, which are produced by specific phenyl migrations. The mechanisms of both rearrangement processes have been studied by deuterium labelling.     

Rearrangements in the molecular ion of o-(methyl-d3-thio)benzoic Acid: Comparison with o-methoxy-d3-benzoic acid

Hydrogen/deuterium exchange and rearrangements in the molecular ion of o-(methyl-d₃-thio)benzoic acid lead to fragment ions [M? OD]⁺ as well as [M? OH]⁺ and m/z 106 and 107, just as in the molecular ion of o-methoxybenzoic acid. However, the fragment ion m/z 108 has the composition C₆H₄S rather than C₆H₂D₃CO as it does in the case of o-methoxy-d₃-benzoic acid. By varing the repeller potential at 10 eV (and thus the residence time in the ion source), the corresponding fragments are seen to be formed more slowly from the methylthio acid than from the methoxy acid, which leads to the conclusion that H/D exchange between carboxyl and labelled methylthio is slower than it is between carboxyl and labelled methoxyl.     

Electron-impact studies XCV–skeletal rearrangement fragments in the mass spectra of 3,5- diphenylisoxazole and 3,5- diphenylpyrazole

The ion [C₁₃H₉]⁺ (m/e 165) is produced from the molecular ion of 3,5-diphenylisoxazole by the process [M ? CO ? H₂CN·] and [M ? CO ? HCN ? H·] and from that of 3,5-diphenyl-pyrazole by the eliminations [M ? N₂H· ? C₂H₂]. These processes have been studied by ²H and ¹³C labelling. A correlation between photochemical, thermal and electron-impact decompostions is noted for 3,5-diphenylisoxazole.     

Mass spectrometry of aralkyl compounds with a functional group—VIII: Comparison of the breakdown of 3-phenylnitropropane with that of 3-phenylpropyl nitrite upon electron-impact

Mass spectra of 3-phenylnitropropane and of its analogues, specifically deuterated in the aliphatic chain and in the phenyl ring, show that the molecular ion loses a molecule of water in two different modes, viz. either with both α-hydrogen atoms or with a γ- and an ortho-hydrogen atom. Moreover, a molecule of nitric oxide is eliminated from the molecular ion and the resulting [M - NO]⁺-ion appears to decompose further in many complicated ways. This loss of nitric oxide does not arise from an isomerization of the nitro group to a nitrite group, because the [M - NO]⁺-ion of 3-phenylpropyl nitrite breaks down in an altogether different manner than that of 3-phenylnitropropane. This is demonstrated by the spectra of specifically deuterated analogues of 3-phenylpropyl nitrite.     

Evidence against an ortho attack in the molecular ion of ethyl 3-phenylpropionate

¹³C labelling at the benzylic position of the title compound has shown that the decomposing m/e 107 [C₇H₇O]⁺ ion has the protonated benzaldehyde and not the o-hydroxybenzyl cation structure, suggested earlier by other authors¹.     

Chemical ionization mass spectrum of peroxyacetylnitrate

The chemical ionization mass spectrum of peroxyacetylnitrate, a major component of photochemical smog highly toxic to man and plants, was obtained using both methane and isobutane as reagent gas. The spectrum contains a [M + H]⁺ ion at m/e 122, intense fragment ions at m/e 43 [CH,CO]⁺ and m/e 46 [NO₂]⁺, and less intense ions at m/e 61 [CH,ONO]⁺, m/e 77 [CH30NOz]⁺ and m/e 88 [⁺O?CCH₂ONO] formed by internal rearrangements. These results confirm the commonly accepted structure for peroxyacetylnitrate, CH₃(CO)OONO₂.     

Elctron-impact studies of diazadiphosphetidines

Electron-impact studies of diazadiphosphetidines,[YF₂PNMe]₂(Y? F,Me, Ph, MeO,2,5-Me₂C₆H₃, and m-CF₃C₆H₄) are reported, the most abundant fragments corresponding to m/e [M/2–1]⁺, [M/2]⁺ and [M/2–1]⁺. It is concluded from metastable data that formation of the noval rearrangement ion, [M]⁺→[M/2+1]⁺is predominantly due to an electron-impact process. Variable temperature spectra of(F₃PNMe)2, (i.e. for Y=F), suggest that ions of m/e [M/2-1]⁺are formed, in part, by a thermal process. For the compound [(m-CF₃C₆H₄)F₂PNMe]₂ a well resolved negative ion spectrum has been obtained, with the molecular ion present in 100% abundance.     

An electron impact study of HCN elimination from indole by use of 13C labelling

The study of the loss of HCN from the molecular ions of [2-¹³C]indole and [3-¹³C]indole shows that, to a good approximation, only the two carbon atoms of the pentagonal ring are involved in this fragmentation process, contrary to the behaviour of the H atoms; the C-2 atom is eliminated predominantly, chiefly in the ion source (85–90%) and a little less in the metastable energy range (75–80%). The losses of ¹³CCH₃^˙ and C₂H₃^˙ from the [M? H¹²CN]^+˙ ions of the two compounds suggest the occurrence of different structures, providing evidence for several mechanisms of HCN elimination.     

Elektronenstoß-induzierte Fragmentierung von 1,2,3,-Thiadiazolen

The mass spectra of some alkyl-,aryl-, acyl-and aroyl-substituted 1,2,3-thiadiazoles and ofbenzothiadiazole are reported and interpreted. After the elimination of N₂ from the molecular ion a rearrangement of the [M—N₂]⁺.-ion occurs producing a thioketenion-radical. Some of the subsequent fragmentation processes demand this structure. Additionally expulsion of S and ·SH respectively from the non-rearranged [M—N₂]⁺.-ion is discussed.     

Mass spectrometric monitoring of oxidation of aliphatic C6–C8 hydrocarbons and ethanol in low pressure oxygen and air plasmas

Experimental and theoretical studies on the oxidation of saturated hydrocarbons (n‐hexane, cyclohexane, n‐heptane, n‐octane and isooctane) and ethanol in 28 Torr O₂ or air plasma generated by a hollow cathode discharge ion source were made. Ions corresponding to [M + 15]⁺ and [M + 13]⁺ in addition to [M ? H]⁺ and [M ? 3H]⁺ were detected as major ions where M is the sample molecule. The ions [M + 15]⁺ and [M + 13]⁺ were assigned as oxidation products, [M ? H + O]⁺ and [M ? 3H + O]⁺, respectively. By the tandem mass spectrometry analysis of [M ? H + O]⁺ and [M ? 3H + O]⁺, H₂O, olefins (and/or cycloalkanes) and oxygen‐containing compounds were eliminated from these ions. Ozone as one of the terminal products in the O₂ plasma was postulated as the oxidizing reagent. As an example, the reactions of C₆H₁₄^+? with O₂ and of C₆H₁₃⁺ (CH₃CH₂CH⁺CH₂CH₂CH₃) with ozone were examined by density functional theory calculations. Nucleophilic interaction of ozone with C₆H₁₃⁺ leads to the formation of protonated ketone, CH₃CH₂C(=OH⁺)CH₂CH₂CH₃. In air plasma, [M ? H + O]⁺ became predominant over carbocations, [M ? H]⁺ and [M ? 3H]⁺. For ethanol, the protonated acetic acid CH₃C(OH)₂⁺ (m/z 61.03) was formed as the oxidation product. The peaks at m/z 75.04 and 75.08 are assigned as protonated ethyl formate and protonated diethyl ether, respectively, and that at m/z 89.06 as protonated ethyl acetate. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The formation of the anilinium ion from the ammonium ion in the ammonia chemical ionization of substituted benzenes

Compounds C₆H₅X(X ? F, Cl, Br, NO₂, CN, OCH₃) have been studied under chemical ionization conditions with ammonia as reagent gas. A pulsed electron beam and time resolved ion collection has allowed the determination of the reaction leading to the formation of [C₆H₅NH₃]⁺ (m/z 94). [NH₄]⁺ reacts with C₆H₅X(X ? F, Cl, Br) to yield m/z 94 but C₆H₅X (X ? CN, NO₂) forms this ion only by reactions involving either [NH₃]⁺ or [C₆H₅X]⁺. C₆H₅OCH₃ does not form m/z 94.     

The mechanism of CO loss in the electron impact-induced fragmentation of benzoin and its methyl ether

The electron impact-induced fragmentation of benzoin methyl ether gives rise to the formation of an m/e 91 fragment ion which is not present in the mass spectrum of benzoin. Deuterium and ¹³C labelling, as well as low energy experiments, revealed that this ion is formed from [M – benzoyl]⁺ by transfer of both the ether methyl group and the hydrogen atom from the α-position to the adjacent phenyl ring followed by loss of CO and hydrogen.