Mass spectra of carbofuran and its major photo-induced metabolites, 3-hydro
xycarbo-furan, 3-oxocarbofuran and their corresponding phenols, were invest
igated using electron impact mass spectrometry, Interpretation of the fragm
entation pathways, based on the mass spectra, enables structural elucidatio
n and chemical identification of these compounds. The proposed fragmentatio
n pathways and ion structures were verified by exact mass measurements and
collision-induced dissociation, wing B/E-linked scanning. The presence of t
he m/z 137 ion and its B/E-linked scan mass spectrum is unique for 3-hydrox
ycarbofuran, 3-oxocarbofuran and their corresponding phenols. Thus, this io
n can be used to detect the oxidation products at the C3 position of carbof
uran, Copyright (C), 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.