Electron-impact induced fragmentation of 2-substituted 2H-cyclopenta[D]pyridazines

The mass spectra of the non-benzenoid aromatic heterocycles 2H- and 2-methyl-2H-cyclopentad]pyridazine and several deuterated analogs have been analyzed. The majority of the nitrogen lost from these heterocycles occurs as HCN OR H₂CN. The deuterium labeling suggests a rearrangement of the molecular ion prior to fragmentation.