Studies in organic mass spectrometry. Part 25. Benzyl ion formation in chemical ionisation (methane or isobutane) of some ortho-alkylhetero-substituted diphenylcarbinols

The behaviour of some ortho-alkylhetero-substituted diphenylcarbinols, incl uding deuterium labelled derivatives, under chemical ionisation (methane or isobutane) conditions has been investigated. It has been determined that o rtho-alkylhetero diphenylmethyl cations formed by water elimination from th e protonated molecule undergo consecutive rearrangements which afford benzy l (or tropylium) ions previously observed for ortho-substituted diphenylcar benium ions generated by electron ionisation. This reaction also occurs und er low-energy collision conditions, Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, L td.