Metastable ion studies. VII-loss of water from the molecular ion of cyclopentanol

Metastable peaks for the loss of water from the molecular ion of cyclopentanol and six 2H labelled analogues have been studied. The results, together with some thermochemical date and a detailed examination of metastable peak shapes, have allowed the identification of the two mechanisms for water loss, both of which take place from the α‐cleaved molecular ion. Daughter ion structures are proposed.