Rearrangement of the benzyl benzoate molecular ion to lose H2O

Abstract
The molecular ion of benzyl benzoate undergoes several decompositions, two of which are the loss of H2O and COOH·. To study these processes, the mass and IKE spectra of benzyl benzoate together with various deuterated benzyl benzoates and some of its isomers were studied. Evidence is presented to support the rearrangement processes of the molecular ion. A decomposition scheme is proposed to explain the observed transitions.