Thermal degradation of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide): 2. Mass spectroscopic analysis of dimeric products from degradation of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide)

Abstract

The mass spectra of dimeric degradation products of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) are discussed. It has been found that the main fragmentation mechanism of rearranged dimer is β-benzyl cleavage giving rise to odd-mass ions and ortho hydroxyl hydrogen transfer yielding even-mass ions. The mass spectra of unrearranged dimers are very similar though it could not be concluded that Fries-type rearrangement takes place on electron impact.