On the loss of ethylene from [C3H7O]+ ions of structure $$ {\rm CH}_{\rm 3} {\rm CH}_{\rm 2} \mathop {{\rm CHOH}}\limits^{\rm + } $$

Abstract The results of some 3 C and 2 H labelling experiments plus some measurements of reaction thermochemistry and translational energy releases, permit a significant simplification of the mechanistic pathways by which [C 3 H 7 O] + ions of structure equation image fragment by loss of C 2 H 4 . The relationships between these ions and some of their isomeric forms are explored and clarified.