Bis(tricarbonyliron) complexes of P-quinodimethanes: fragmentation and isomerisation under electron impact

EI mass spectra of $\text{trans}$-η⁴,η⁴-3,6-bis(methylene)-1,4-cyclohexadiene]-bis=(tricarbonyliron) complexes $\text{1a}$, $\text{b}$ are reported. The fragmentation pathway is rationalized by assuming a rearrangement of the $\text{trans}$-bis(tricarbonyliron) complexes into the $\text{cis}$-isomers under electron impact.