The mass spectra of carboxylic acids—VI: Metastable dissociations of isomeric ions in the mass spectra of oxalic and formic acids, and malonic and acetic acids

Abstract

AbstractMetastable ion peak shapes and abundances have been studied for competing dissociations of the [H2CO2]+. ions produced in the mass spectra of formic and oxalic acids, and of [H4C2O2]+. ions produced from acetic and malonic acids. It is concluded that for each pair ions different with respect to structure and energy content are present; the difference is more apparent in the [H4C2O2]+. ions than in the smaller [H2CO2]+. species.