Abstract
Abstract Selective binding of alkali metal ions by the ionophore antibiotic valinomycin in alcoholic media was detected by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The relative cation affinity for valinomycin is in the order Rb+ > Cs+ > K+ ≫ Na+ in both methanol and ethanol. With a 1:1:1 mixture of valinomycin and synthetic mimics 18-crown-6 and [2,2,2]-cryptate (methanol, excess KOAc) valinomycin showed much higher affinity than the other ionophores. This study has shown that the potential of ESI-MS as a very useful tool for research involving metal binding is great. Problems with sodium ion interference and quantitation are discussed.
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