Ionization and ionic fragmentation of tetrahydrofuran molecules by electron collisions

Electron impact ionization and ionic fragmentation of tetrahydrofuran molecules in the gas phase were studied in the energy range from ionization threshold up to 150 eV using the technique of mass spectrometry. The cation mass spectra, ionization and ionic fragmentation efficiencies were measured over this energy range. Well-resolved mass peaks were detected in the mass range 10-72 amu and assigned to corresponding ionic molecular fragments. The most abundant cation in the mass spectra is at 42 amu. Appearance energies of selected ionic fragments were also determined. Possible ionic fragmentation processes are discussed.