Metastable fragment ions from carbinolamine ethers

The secondary decomposition of fragment ions produced by electron impact of carbinolamine ethers was studied by mass analysed ion kinetic energy spectrometry. A new case was observed of ions of the same structure leading to the same fragments through different mechanisms competing in the metastable time frame and accompanied by a different partitioning of the excess energy (internal vs translational). The role of a fractional positive charge localized at saturated centres in the reactivity of these gaseous organic ions is discussed. Copyright © 1982 Heyden & Son Ltd