The isobutane chemical ionization mass spectra of 2‐methyl substituted 1,3‐cycloalkanediol diacetates and dimethyl ethers

The isobutane chemical ionization mass spectra of 2‐methyl‐1,3‐cyclopentane and 1,3‐cyclohexanediol diacetates and dimethyl ethers reveal that the proton bridge in the protonated cis diol derivatives is sensitive to conformational and steric effects. The latter dominate in the case of the methyl ethers on account of the smaller ring created by the proton bridge in the ethers in comparison with the diacetates. Finally, the spectra of the trideuterocetates and trideuteromethyl ethers reveal the occurrence of protolysis in the ionizing plasma.