The mass spectra for the non-degraded herbicides
revealed that, although all the compounds
were extensively fragmented (base peaks corresponded
to ions at m/z values of 61 and 72), they
always contained the molecular ion with the isotopic
zone corresponding the presence of halogen
atoms (Cl or/and Br) in the molecule, which
helped in the unequivocal identification of the
herbicide. On the other hand, the mass spectra of
the isocyanates detected showed low fragmentation,
the base peaks being the molecular ions. The
typical abundance of some isotopes revealed the
presence and number of chlorine atoms in the
molecule. Other characteristics, but less intense
m/z ions, corresponded to the sequential losses of
CO [M-28] and Cl [M-63].