Collision-induced dissociation of sulfur-containing imidazolium ionic liquids.

A number of 1,2-dimethylimidazole ionic liquids substituted on N(II) with alkyl chains of varying lengths terminated with sulfur-containing groups were investigated by electrospray high-resolution tandem Fourier-transform mass spectrometry. Fragmentation pathways are strongly dependent on the oxidation state of the sulfur and the alkyl chain length. The dissociations detected are rationalized by deuterium labeling, comparisons between homologous compounds and accurate mass data. Several homolytic processes are reported, leading to distonic ions and loss of hydrogen, methyl and other free radicals.