Gas-phase fragmentations of anions derived from N-phenyl benzenesulfonamides

In addition to the well-known SO₂ loss, there are several additional fragmentation pathways that gas-phase anions derived from N-phenyl benzenesulfonamides and its derivatives undergo upon collisional activation. For example, N-phenyl benzenesulfonamide fragments to form an anilide anion (m/z 92) by a mechanism in which a hydrogen atom from the ortho position of the benzenesulfonamide moiety is specifically transferred to the charge center. Moreover, after the initial SO₂ elimination, the product ion formed undergoes primarily, an inter-annular H₂ loss to form a carbazolide anion (m/z 166) because the competing intra-annular H₂ loss is significantly less energetically favorable. Results from tandem mass spectrometric experiments conducted with deuterium-labeled compounds confirmed that the inter-ring mechanism is the preferred pathway. Furthermore, N-phenyl benzenesulfonamide and its derivatives also undergo a phenyl radical loss to form a radical ion with a mass-to-charge ratio of 155, which is in violation of the so-called "even-electron rule." [Figure not available: see fulltext.]