Metastable ion studies. VII—loss of water from the molecular ion of cyclopentanol

Metastable peaks for the loss of water from the molecular ion of cyclopentanol and six ²H labelled analogues have been studied. The results, together with some thermochemical date and a detailed examination of metastable peak shapes, have allowed the identification of the two mechanisms for water loss, both of which take place from the α-cleaved molecular ion. Daughter ion structures are proposed.