Cyclopentane ions, decomposition

Rates of the losses of methyl and methane from the molecular ion of methylcyclopentane have been determined over the time range 40 ps to microseconds [288]. The loss of ethylene from methylcyclopentane and decompositions of methylcyclohexane were also investigated. With support from I3C labelling, it was suggested that at times shorter than 1 ns, methyl was lost from the intact cyclopentane ion, but that at longer times ring opening preceded the decomposition. 

In addition, ring-opening of the CsHjo ions was found in cyclo-CjHjo-NO mixtures which lead to pentene-2, presumably through the charge-transfer reaction with NO. Pentene-2 was not a product at 1236 or 1470 A, for similar mixtures. The presence of CsHs ions was also observed in the cyclopentane photolysis at 1048-1067 A, and has been attributed to the decomposition of hot cyclopentane ions, viz. 

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