Pseudoisotopic Molecule Mass Spectrometry: A Useful Tool for Studying Assembly and Exchange in Multinuclear Complexes*

Alexandra Spyratou; Sarah Clifford; Xavier Melich; Claire Deville; Matthieu Tissot; Gregoire Bonvin; Philippe Perrottet; Alan Williams

doi:10.1071/CH09322

RESEARCH FRONT

Pseudoisotopic Molecule Mass Spectrometry: A Useful Tool for Studying Assembly and Exchange in Multinuclear Complexes*

Alexandra Spyratou ^A , Sarah Clifford ^A , Xavier Melich ^A , Claire Deville ^A , Matthieu Tissot ^A , Gregoire Bonvin ^A , Philippe Perrottet ^B and Alan Williams ^A ^C

+ Author Affiliations

- Author Affiliations

^A Department of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Geneva, 30 quai Ernest Ansermet, CH 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland.

^B SMS, Pavillon des Isotopes, University of Geneva, 20 Boulevard d’Yvoy, CH 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland.

^C Corresponding author. Email: Alan.Williams@chiam.unige.ch

Australian Journal of Chemistry 62(10) 1291-1299 https://doi.org/10.1071/CH09322
Submitted: 9 June 2009 Accepted: 21 August 2009 Published: 13 October 2009

Abstract

Herein, we introduce the concept of pseudoisotope to describe particles which have similar chemistry but different masses. Examples include ligands with different substituents or metal ions with identical charges and similar coordination properties. Mixtures of pseudoisotopes may be used to establish rapidly the nuclearity of polynuclear species by electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry. Pseudoisotope exchange allows the study of the dynamics of polynuclear complexes, and shows these reactions may be surprisingly slow. The evolution of the mass spectra indicates the degree of fragmentation occurring during the exchange.

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the Swiss National Science Foundation and the University of Geneva for their support.

References

^* In memoriam Professor Alan M. Sargeson.

Pseudoisotopic Molecule Mass Spectrometry: A Useful Tool for Studying Assembly and Exchange in Multinuclear Complexes*

Abstract

Acknowledgements

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