Electron impact induced hydrogen migrations in organic molecules: IV—novel hydrogen transfers in alkyl o-methoxybenzoates

Simultaneous hydrogen transfers—one from the methoxy group and the other from the alkyl group—to both the oxygen atoms of the ester function result in the formation of a common ion at m/z 152 in the alkyl o-methoxybenzoates on electron impact. Expulsion of the formyl radical from this ion leads to a fragment resembling the protonated benzoic acid. Another novel feature in these compounds is the loss of H₂O from the [M? R]⁺ ion which arises through an ortho effect during a secondary fragmentation process.