Mass spectral fragmentation pathways in phthalate esters. A tandem mass spectrometric collision‐induced dissociation study

A collision‐induced dissociation study of a series of phthalate esters was carried out using a tandem BB mass spectrometer. Fragmentation pathways of the phthalates were determined in the electron impact mode. Two major daughter ions are formed, one by a McLafferty rearrangement and hydrogen transfer and the other by loss of an alkoxy radical Another major daughter ion, at m / z 149—which is the base peak in the electron impact mass spectra of most phthalate esters—is being formed through four alternate pathways.