Mass spectrometric analysis of mono- and dialkyl ethers of diols.

Mass spectra of homologous series of long chain mono- and dialkyl ethers of ethanediol and propanediols were measured and general patterns of fragmentation were established. Both classes of diol lipids produce ions which are characteristic for the alkoxy moieties as well as ions which are typical of the constituent short chain diols. Prominent ions are formed by cleavages α and β to the ether oxygen and by rearrangement of one or two hydrogens and concurrent fission. High resolution mass spectrometry and deuterium labeling techniques were used to verify the composition of ions and to substantiate fragmentation mechanisms.