title: The effect of ortho substitution on the mass spectral fragmentation of polychlorinated biphenyls.
abstract: Isomeric chlorinated biphenyls are observed to yield very similar mass spectra, rarely exhibiting a [M - Cl]+ fragment of any significant magnitude. However, those isomers containing three ortho chloro substituents display a relatively intense [M - Cl]+ fragment. A rationalization for this observation is put forth on the basis of the relative stabilities of both product and reactant.
mesh_terms: D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D007536:Isomerism; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls