Collisional activation demonstrates that the stable ions from o-nitrobenzaldehydedimethylacetale possess the structure of ionized o-nitroso benzoic acid methyl ester. Contrary to previous conclusions it is demonstrated that the structure of the stable ions (m/e 135) from different precursors i.e. o-nitrobenzyl alcohol o-nitrobenzyl cyanide and o-nitrobenzaldoxime is best represented by 2,1-benzisoxazoline-3-one. Ionized o-nitrosobenzaldehtde rearranged to 2,1-benzisoxazoline-3-one prior to collision induced decomposition, whereas 2-benzoxazolinone and 3-hydroxy-1,2-benzisoxazole do not rearrange within 10?5 s.
