The expulsion of OH˙ from the [M ? C2H4]+˙ ion from ethyl benzoate: Ring-deuterated compounds

Mass spectra and ion kinetic energy (IKE) spectra of o-, m- and p-d₁ ethyl benzoates have given further information on the loss of OH˙ and OD˙ from the M ? C₂H₄]⁺˙ ions. The ‘metastable peaks’ in the mass spectra give information on fragmentations in the field-free region following the electric sector; the IKE spectra give information on fragmentations in the field-free region preceding this sector. Transfer of hydrogen and deuterium from the ortho-positions on the ring to the carboxyl group can occur, but scrambling of ring hydrogens does not take place. A sample of o-d₁ benzoic acid was also examined and confirmed that similar transfer reactions occur in this compound too.