Loss of CO from the molecular ions of <i>o</i>‐, <i>m</i>‐ and <i>p</i>‐anisoyl fluorides, CH₃OC₆H₄COF, with fluorine atom migration

Abstract

Abstract Loss of CO from the molecular ions ([CH 3 OC 6 H 4 COF] + ˙) of o ‐, m ‐ and p ‐anisoyl fluorides has been investigated by mass‐analysed ion kinetic energy (MIKE) spectrometry. This reaction involves fluorine atom migration from the carbonyl group to the benzene ring. In the cases of o ‐ and p ‐anisoyl fluorides, the fluorine atom migrates via a three‐membered transition state to form the molecular ions ([CH 3 OC 6 H 4 F] + ˙) of o ‐ and p ‐fluoroanisoles, respectively. On the other hand, in the case of m ‐anisoyl fluoride, the fluorine atom migrates from the carbonyl group to the benzene ring via a three‐ or four‐membered transition state.