The ion kinetic energy spectra of some chlorinated insecticides

The ion kinetic energy (IKE) spectra of the p,p′ and o,p′ DDT, DDD and DDE isomers have been examined. The results indicated that the decomposing [M‐CCl₃] ions (b) (m/e 235) for the p,p′ and o,p′ DDT isomers were not energetically similar, suggesting retention of the positional identity of the aromatic chlorine substituents. Similar results were obtained for the [M – CHCl₂] ions (b) for the p,p′ and o,p′ DDD isomers. The IKE spectra of p,p′ and o,p′ DDE were indistinguishable, indicating loss of substituent identity of the aromatic chlorine group. The mechanistic and analytical consequences of these data are discussed. The IKE spectra of the four hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (V to VIII) are different and these spectra are obviously useful in the analysis and characterization of these structurally similar compounds. The differences in their reactivity must in some part be due to their different stereochemical orientations of the chlorine substituents.