Abstract

European Journal of Mass Spectrometry
Volume 15 Issue 4, Pages 479–486 (2009)
doi: 10.1255/ejms.1005

Formation of organometallic species, [M – H]⁺ ions and radical cations upon mass spectrometric fragmentation of mercury—crown ether complexes

Rafał Franski^* and Błażej Gierczyk
Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, Grunwałdzka 6, 60-780 Poznań, Poland. E-mail: franski@main.amu.edu.pl

Mass spectrometric fragmentation pathways of [M + HgClO₄]⁺ (M – crown ether molecule), determined by tandem mass spectrometry experiments, are discussed in detail. The decomposition of [M + HgClO₄]⁺ proceeds along three fragmentation pathways: formation of [M – H]⁺ ions, formation of organometallic species, namely [M – H + Hg]⁺ ions, and formation of radical cations [M]^+•. The factors influencing these processes, namely crown ether cavities and the presence of electron withdrawing/electron donor groups, have been discussed.

Keywords: crown ethers, mercury, mass spectrometric fragmentation pathway

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