Abstract: | Unexpected ortho interaction of the nitro group has been noticed during the mass spectral fragmentations of N-arylidene 2-nitrobenzenesulphenamides, where the molecular ions expel SO2 and N2 both in concerted and stepwise processes. Loss of a hydrogen or the substituent from this fragment leads to a very abundant ion in all the compounds studied. Based on chemical evidence and linked-scan studies, a 1,2-phenylenetropylium cation structure has been postulated for the M–SO2–N2–H/substituent]+ ion. |