Electron impact induced hydrogen migrations in organic molecules: IV—novel hydrogen transfers in alkyl o†methoxybenzoates

Simultaneous hydrogen transfers—one from the methoxy group and the other from the alkyl group—to both the oxygen atoms of the ester function result in the formation of a common ion at m/z 152 in the alkyl o‐methoxybenzoates on electron impact. Expulsion of the formyl radical from this ion leads to a fragment resembling the protonated benzoic acid. Another novel feature in these compounds is the loss of H2O from the [MR]+ ion which arises through an ortho effect during a secondary fragmentation process. Copyright © 1981 Heyden & Son Ltd