Low energy,low temperature mass spectra 2—low energy,low temperature mass spectra of some small saturated alcohols and ethers

This paper reports the low energy, low temperature mass spectra of the 27 alcohols and ethers containing up to five carbon atoms. The observed fragmentation pathways are discussed in energetic terms. Except in one instance, pentan-1-ol and 3-methylbutan-1-ol, the spectra are diagnostic of the structure of the compounds; even in this case, subtle differences can be used to determine structure. The advantage of the low energy, low temperature mass spectra in identifying low energy fragmentation routes is emphasized.