Ionization and dissociation of diethylamine by field ionization mass spectrometry

The field ionization mass spectrum of diethylamine on a 5 μm activated wire at 300 K yields surface product ions like protonated molecular ions and doubly charged ions as well as gas phase ions like parent minus CH₃ group. Variations of the reaction rate as a function of the decomposition times in the range 10^?11-10^?6 s for the elimination of a CH₃ group are studied. The reaction rates are evaluated with the help of the retarding potential technique.