Ion—Molecule Reactions in Methanol and Ethanol

Proton-transfer reactions in the methanol and ethanol systems have been investigated by the techniques of conventional mass spectrometry. Using isotopically substituted methanols, relative transfer probabilities from the carbon and hydroxyl positions of the parent molecule ion are found to be 1.00 and 0.81, respectively. The reaction involving CH2OH+ has also been investigated quantitatively. In ethanol, only C2H4OH+ is found to participate significantly in proton transfer processes. Other secondary ions formed in the high-pressure mass spectrum of methanol and ethanol are reported, as well as the rate constants for the various proton-transfer processes.