The mass spectra of 1,3-dithiole-2-thione-and tetrathiafulvalene-fused thiophenes have been studied. Isomer differentiation was achieved by electron impact, metastable ion and collision-induced dissociation spectra.Sulfur-rich tetrathiafulvalenes (TTFs), such as bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene, have given rise to a wealth of conducting and superconducting chargetransfer salts and highlight the key role played by the outer sulfur atoms in increasing the dimensionality of these materials.' This fact, together with the easy access to these n-donors starting from DMIT (1,3-dithiole-2-thione-4,5-dithiolate), has resulted in a vast number of symmetrical and unsymmetrical TTF derivatives fused to 1,3-dithiole and 1,4-dithiene rings among others. In contrast, much less effort has been devoted to the preparation of thieno-fused TTFs, despite the exceptional solid-state properties displayed by some of the charge transfer complexes derived from them.' In our opinion this is mainly due to the synthetic difficulties encountered in the preparation of thieno[2,3-d]-1,3-dithiole-2-thiones' and thieno[3,4-d]-l,3-dithiole-2-thione~,".~ which are useful precursors for the synthesis of the corresponding thiophene-tetrathiafulvalene ~y s t e m s .~' .~~~~~~~ Taking advantage of our experience in the synthesis of these systems,' and as a continuation of our interest in the mass spectrometry of dithiolethiones' and tetrathiafulvalenes,' we report in this paper the first comparative study on the mass spectral behaviour of thieno-dithiolethiones and thieno-tetrathiafulvalenes with the aim of describing the differences in the spectra of isomeric compounds showing different ring fusion.
EXPERIMENTALThe mass spectra were recorded using a VG-Autospec EBE spectrometer (VG Analytical, Manchester, UK). The samples were introduced via the solids probe. The conditions for electron ionization (EI) were: electron energy 70 eV, trap current 200 PA, source temperature 200 "C. Accurate mass measurements were obtained by narrow-range voltage scanning at 10 000 resolution (peak width at 5% height) using perfluorokerosene as the reference compound and were correct to an accuracy of +10ppm of the theoretical value. Metastable transitions in the first field-free region were detected by linked scans' at constant B/E (El = E2, V=constant). Collisional experiments"'. " were performed by colliding 8 keV ions with helium in such a way that the main