The expulsion of OH˙ from the [M - C2H4]+˙ ion from ethyl benzoate: Ring‐deuterated compounds

Abstract
Mass spectra and ion kinetic energy (IKE) spectra of o‐, m‐ and p‐d1 ethyl benzoates have given further information on the loss of OH˙ and OD˙ from the [M  C2H4]+˙ ions. The ‘metastable peaks’ in the mass spectra give information on fragmentations in the field‐free region following the electric sector; the IKE spectra give information on fragmentations in the field‐free region preceding this sector. Transfer of hydrogen and deuterium from the ortho‐positions on the ring to the carboxyl group can occur, but scrambling of ring hydrogens does not take place. A sample of o‐d1 benzoic acid was also examined and confirmed that similar transfer reactions occur in this compound too.