ISSN:
0030-493X
Keywords:
Chemistry
;
Analytical Chemistry and Spectroscopy
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Chemistry and Pharmacology
Notes:
A review of the literature indicates compelling evidence that: (1) loss of ROH from esters requires protonation of the alkoxy oxygen; (2) the (symmetry forbidden) [1,3] hydrogen migration from protonated carbonyl to alkoxy oxygen does not occur in the mass spectra of esters; (3) hydrogen abstraction in esters occurs almost exclusively to the carbonyl oxygen. Mechanisms are proposed which account for all examples of ROH loss from esters. Alkanol loss from molecular ions in esters requires the presence of a second functional group to act as an intramolecular catalyst, either as a general acid in transferring a proton to the alkoxy oxygen, or as a general base in assisting the [1,3] carbonyl oxygen to alkoxy oxygen proton transfer. Loss of ROH from fragment ions requires proton transfer from an atom α to the positive charge to the alkoxy oxygen. These mechanisms are generalized to include a wide class of bifunctional esters and a selection of natural products.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/oms.1210090912
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