Tandem mass spectroscopy as a tool for investigation of complexes of PNP-lariat ether derivative with metal ions

Mass Spectrometry Reveals Complexing Properties of Modified PNP-Lariat Ether Containing Benzyl Derivative of (S)-Prolinamine

In the investigation presented here the synthesis of new lariat ether derivative obtained from the modification of tetrapyrrolidinyl-PNP-crown ether macrocycle is described. The polyheterotopic molecular coreceptor consisted of the replacement of chlorine atoms with an optically active (S)-(1-benzylpyrrolidin-2-yl) methanamine. The structure was confirmed by using elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, and NMR spectroscopy. This work covers results concerning the complexing properties of the new ligand towards Ag⁺, Cu^2+, Co^2+, Ni²⁺, and Zn²⁺ ions. The formation of non-covalent complexes of 1:1 stoichiometry with the Cu^2+, Co^2+, Ni²⁺, and Zn²⁺ ions have been confirmed by mass spectrometry. Due to the previous work and application possibilities, a large emphasis was put on the investigation of the complexation ability of lariat ether with silver (I) cation to determine stability constants by direct potentiometric method. In this case, the formation of four different forms of complexes AgL, Ag₂L, Ag₃L, and Ag₄L has been proved. The observed unusual binding through the nitrogen atoms from the exocyclic substituents may provide the structural unit to build a new coordination polymers.