The stereospecific loss of water from 1,4-dihydroxy-Δ6,7-octalins under electron impact

The mass spectra of four of the six 1,4-dihydroxy- Δ^6,7-octalins are reported. The spectra differ considerably, depending on the configuration of the hydroxyl groups. The relative amounts of 1-3,1-4, transannular 1-3 and hydroxyl-hydroxyl elimination of water from the molecular ions were determined by using specificaliy labelled compounds. Effects of configuration and conformation are discussed.