Composition of thiacalix[4]arene complexes with monovalent metal ions in the gas phase: MALDI mass spectrometry

Abstract

MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry was used to study the reaction of p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene (1) and a number of its derivatives disubstituted at the lower rim (2—9) with monovalent metal salts (Li, Na, K, Cs, Cu, Ag) in the gas phase. It was shown that the thiacalixarenes under study bind the metal ions through the substitution of hydrogen atoms of the hydroxy groups. The reactions of silver and copper salts with the thiacalix[4]arenes were found to form the cluster ions, which represent the macrocycle dimers with several metal ions, while the formation of such clusters is impossible in the case of alkali metal salts. The peak intensities of the cluster ions increase in the weakly basic medium, reaching in some cases 100%.