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

The 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.