Electron impact induced fragmentation of (p-substituted phenyl)-(4 '-methylphenacyl) sulfones: contribution of sulfinate ester rearrangements

The molecular ions of the title compounds are usually very unstable. The ma in fragmentation corresponds to the formation of p-MeC6H4CO+ as would be ex pected, Another abundant fragment ion was [M - SO2](+) which is formed both from the original sulfone and from the rearranged sulfinate esters. There are, however, three primary ions which can be traced back to each isomeric molecular ion: p-RC6H4SO2+ to the original sulfone, p-RC6H4SO+ to the ..CH2 S(=O)O-.. type sulfinate ester and p-RC6H4ON+. to the ..CH2OS(=O).. type su lfinate ester of which the latter seems by far to dominate, Copyright (C) 2 000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.