Mass spectrometric characterization and gas-phase chemistry of self-assembling supramolecular squares and triangles

A detailed mass spectrometric characterization of self-assembling polynuclear metal complexes is described. The complexes can only be ionized as intact species under a surprisingly narrow range of conditions by electrospray ionization. Comparison with the results from NMR experiments shows that several solution-phase features of these squares and triangles (such as trends in bond energies, ligand-exchange reactions, or square-triangle equilibria) are qualitatively reflected in the gas-phase data. Consequently, mass spectrometry represents a valuable method for the characterization of these compounds. Nevertheless, the formation of unspecific aggregates during the ionization process occurs and its implications are discussed. Beyond the chemistry in solution, the fragmentation pathways of these complexes in the gas phase have been studied by infrared multiphoton dissociation (IRMPD) experiments. The results of IRMPD studies allow us to draw conclusions with respect to the structure and energetics of fragmentation products. In this tandem MS experiment, reaction pathways can be observed directly which can hardly be analyzed in solution. According to these results, the equilibration of triangles and squares involves the supramolecular analogue of a neighboring-group effect.