title: The specificity of electron impact mass spectroscopy for the identification of N-ethyl-1-phenylcyclohexylamine (PCE).
abstract: The electron impact mass spectrum of N-ethyl-1-phenylcyclohexylamine (PCE) was studied using both deuterium-labeled compounds and structurally related analogs. The deuterium-labeled compounds used were d2 . PCE with two deuterium atoms on the methylene carbon of the N-ethyl group, d3 . PCE with three deuterium atoms on the methyl carbon of the N-ethyl group, d4 . PCE with four deuterium atoms on the beta carbons of the cyclohexyl rings, and d5 . PCE with five deuterium atoms on the phenyl ring. Structurally related compounds used included the N,N-dimethyl, N-propyl, and cyclopentyl analogs. The identities of some major fragments and possible pathways leading to their formation are shown. Electron impact mass spectroscopy is shown to be a definitive test for the identification of PCE.
mesh_terms: D003514:Cyclohexylamines / Q000032:analysis*; D003903:Deuterium / Q000032:analysis; D013058:Mass Spectrometry
chemical_list: D003514:Cyclohexylamines; D003903:Deuterium; C023851:N-ethyl-1-phenylcyclohexylamine