Ortho effects in organic molecules on electron impact. 12—Mechanism of the H<inf>2</inf>O loss from the molecular ion of 2†(phenylamino)benzoic acid

The mass spectrum of 2‐(phenylamino)benzoic acid is characterized by the presence of the base peak at m/z 195, formed by the expulsion of H2O from the molecular ion. A mechanism for the water loss, involving the COOH and NH functions followed by cyclization leading to the molecular ion of acridone, is proposed based on the study of the substituted derivatives and MIKE spectra. Copyright © 1984 Wiley Heyden Ltd.