| Abstract: | It is confirmed that the loss of HO˙ from the molecular ion of o-nitrotoluene involves exclusively a hydrogen from the methyl group. However, in higher homologues hydrogen atoms from non-benzylic sites are also implicated. With such compounds this fragmentation mode is shown not only by the ortho but, to a lesser extent, by the meta and para isomers as well. The proportion of the total ion current borne by the M – 17]+ ion follows the order ortho > meta > para, which is attributed to substituent migration around the ring with a hydroxyl radical only being lost when the groups are on adjacent ring atoms. Other ions present in the spectra point to interaction between substituents to form a new heterocyclic ring. |
