Sulphonium ions: Collision‐activated dissociation using fast atom bombardment ionization and a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer

Abstract

AbstractThe low‐energy collision‐activated dissociation of sulphonium cations, including symmetrical trialkyl R3S+, dimethylalkyl (CH3)2RS+, diphenylalkyl Ph2RS+ and cyclic (CH2)nS+R, has been recorded using fast atom bombardment ionization and a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. The general trends are easy loss of sulphide to give [R]+, except for R  CH3, and loss of alkene to give protonated sulphide if β‐hydrogens are available. Loss of alkane, generally found in ammonium compounds, is not observed.