Question

Question:For each compound, assign likely structures to the fragments at each m/zvalue, and explain how each fragment is formed.

a. : peaks at m/z= 104, 91

b. : peaks at m/z= 71, 68, 41, 31

Short answer

Answer

Fragmentation of compound b.

Step-by-step solution

Fragmentation of alcohols

Alcohols undergo fragmentation in two ways, one where it gets dehydrated to give out water and forms the corresponding alkene radical cation, and the other is theα cleavage.

Fragmentation of the two given alcohols

a.

The dehydration and α cleavage of the compound is shown below with the peaks assigned:

Fragmentation of compound b.