title: Characterization of multimetallic grid-type complexes by electrospray mass spectrometry.
abstract: The self-assembly of the terdentate ligands 1a-h, based on terpyridine-like binding sites, with octahedrally coordinated metal ions, such as Fe(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), Hg(II) and Pb(II), leads to the formation of the supramolecular grid-type complexes 2a-c(M(II)), 3d-g(M(II)) and 4h(M(II)). The structures and compositions of these coordination complexes in solution were deduced from electrospray mass spectrometry (ESMS) measurements. The results agree with the data available from x-ray radiocrystallography in the solid state and/or NMR spectroscopy in solution. ESMS may be applied in cases where other methods are difficult to use or inconclusive. This study stresses the power of ESMS in supramolecular chemistry.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Spectrométrie de Masse Bio-Organique, Université Louis Pasteur, CNRS UMR 7509, ECPM, 25 rue Becquerel, F-67087 Strasbourg cedex 2, France.
authors.forename: Hélène
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nierengarten
authors.forename: Emmanuelle
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Leize
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Breuning
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Romero-Salguero
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rojo
authors.forename: Jean-Marie
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lehn
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Van Dorsselaer