Ion–molecule reactions of fragment ions derived from protonated allyl methyl ether

Unusual behaviour has been noted for allyl methyl ether (1) chemically ionized in a high-pressure ion source. Tandem mass spectrometry indicates the formation of methylcyclopentadienyl and methoxy-1-propenylcarbenium ions (d, m/z 81 and e, m/z 85). The origin of these unexpected ions has been elucidated using conventional and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance experiments: primary fragment ions derived from protonated 1 (allyl ions a and methoxymethyl cations b) generate collision complexes with neutral 1, giving rise to the ions d and e, respectively, after methanol elimination.