Effects of annulation on the mass spectral behaviour of bicyclo[4.3.0]-3-nonene derivatives: Keto esters and ketones

The fragmentation patterns of the title compounds are shown to depend on the nature of the ring annulation. On ionization the cis-annulated isomers lose a molecule of benzene in contrast to the corresponding trans isomers which do not. A mechanism involving a participation of the π-electron system in the cleavage of the 5-membered ring is suggested to explain the observed differences.