Chemical ionization mass spectrometry studies—VII: Deuterium labeled decanes

CI mass spectra of the five isomeric vicinal d₂-decanes have been recorded using methane and d₄-methane as reagent gases. In contrast to earlier suggestions, we find that a large fraction of the alkyl fragment ions from n-decane are formed by elimination of olefins from the abundant [M – 1] ion. Only the C₉ and C₈ fragment ions are produced completely by a one-step reaction between the decanes and the methane reagent ions. Isotope exchange does not occur between the hydrocarbon and the reagent ions derived from d₄-methane but extensive scrambling of the deuterium label in the d₂-decanes does take place in the [M – 1] ion.