Sofia Nikolaou
University of São Paulo, Brazil
Title: Using mass spectrometry as a characterization tool of inorganic coordination compounds: from determination of binding energies to characterization of supramolecular structures
Biography
Biography: Sofia Nikolaou
Abstract
The use of mass spectrometry with ESI ionization can be considered already a classic instrumental technique of characterization, with applications ranging from organic chemistry to biomedicine. However, it is less common for the user to extrapolate its range of applications for inorganic samples. It is still usual today to apply ESI/MS experiments exclusively to identify the molecular species of interest; but it is much less common the use of this technique and induced fragmentation experiments in the investigation of the properties of inorganic compounds and their structural characterization based on diagnostic dissociation patterns. This presentation is intended to show a variety of uses for ESI/MS and ESI/MS-MS experiments focused on the characterization of monomeric species and supramolecular structures based on ruthenium complexes, such as the one shown below. It will be presented analysis of charged species spectra and their characteristic dissociation patterns in the gas phase, which undoubtedly allow to propose their extended structures; the use of isotopic distribution profiles for the assignment of fragments charges and charge partition phenomenon; and, in all cases, the ability to investigate the relative binding energy between the metal centre and the various organic and inorganic groups present in the structures. This latter information is particularly important in planning properties such as controlled release of functional molecules such as nitric oxide for medical applications.