Abstract It is shown by deuterium labelling, linked-scan measurements and collision activation that the [MC 3 H 7]+(α-cleavage) ion in the electron impact ionization spectrum of tributylamine loses C 3 H 6 with transfer of one hydrogen specifically from the γ-position. The experimental data point towards a mechanism which involves the intermediate formation of a distonic diradical ion from an excited α-cleavage ion which then eliminates the neutral ...
