Techniques in Gas Phase Thermolyses. Part 2. Real-Time Collision Activation Mass Spectrometry of Pyrolysis Products

Basic principles, capabilities and limitations of collision activation mass spectrometry are reported, with special reference to real-time analysis of flash vacuum thermolytically generated products. The analytical utility is demonstrated in terms of structure elucidation and isomerization studies. The potential feasibility of the combination pyrolysis-collision activation mass spectrometry in the study of otherwise non-accessible reference structures for gaseous ion investigations is discussed.