ELIMINATION OF THIOPHENOL FROM PHENYL ORTHOTHIOESTERS IN THE MASS SPECTROMETER AND NOVEL REARRANGEMENT OF KETENE THIOACETALS UPON ELECTRON IMPACT

Abstract
The mass spectra of four selected phenyl orthothioesters (1–4) have been measured. The obtained spectra revealed the conversion of the compounds (1–4) into ketene thioacetals (5–8) via the elimination of thiophenol in the mass spectrometer. The thermal nature of the process was confirmed and the mass spectra of ketene thioacetals (5–8) have been discussed. A novel fragmentation path for ketene thioacetals was suggested.