| Abstract: | During the introduction of an organic compound into the mass spectrometer thermal reactions can take place before the ionisation process, thus changing the structure of the compound. On the basis of known experimental results the following reactions, which are independent of electron bombardment are discussed: decarboxylation, dehydration, loss of alcohols, decarbonylation, decomposition of carboxylic esters, retro aldol reaction and similar processes, retro DIELS -ALDER reaction, isomerisation, disproportionation, hydrogenolysis-dehydrogenolysis, transalkylation, dimerisation, and pyrolysis of quaternary nitrogen containing compounds. Finally, the results of novel model reactions concerning thermal transalkylation are discussed. |
