The use of labelled analogues for the determination of mass spectrometric fragmentation mechanisms of cannabinoids. A re‐investigation of the formation of the most abundant fragment ion [C15,H19,O2]+ in Δ1(6)tetrahydrocannabinol

Abstract The routes leading to the formation of the most prominent fragment ion [C 15 H 19 O 2 ] + ( m/e 231) in the cannabinoid Δ 1(6) tetrahydrocannabinol were investigated with the aid of deuterium labelled compounds. A previously proposed mechanism for the two‐step process could be confirmed, but the mechanism for the one‐step route had to be revised.