Surface‐induced dissociation of isomeric [C₅H₆]⁺˙ ions

Collisions of [C 5 H 6 ] + ˙ ions of 25 eV tianslational energy with a surface result in dissociation, the extent of which depends upon the nature of the neutral precursor. A correlation between the degree of fragmentation and the reported degree of charge stripping upon gaseous collisions (R. Flammang et al, Org. Mass Spectrom. 20, 253 (1985)) supports the suggestion that mixtures of cyclic and linear structures in differing proportions are present in the [C 5 H 6 ] + ˙ ion beam.