MoP-22


LSIMS CHARACTERISATION OF POLYMERIC PORPHYRIN-FERROCENE COMPLEXES USING A VG-70S MAGNETIC MASS SPECTROMETER

John M. Allen* and Wayne Campbell**

*Horticulture and Food Research Institute of NZ Ltd., Private Bag 11030, Palmerston North, New Zealand
**Chemistry Department, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand


Porphyrin-ferrocene conjugates have great potential in areas such as chemical sensors, porphyrin-assisted electron transfer, solar energy conversion, small molecule activation and molecular devices. Also dimeric porphyrins have attracted attention as models for electron transfer and in the activation of small molecules.

Liquid Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (LSIMS) is still a powerful technique for quick confirmation on molecular weight and structural information for these polymeric porphyrin-ferrocene complexes. In this study we have characterised monomer, dimer, trimer and pentamer complexes on our Static LSIMS-VG-70S Magnetic Sector Mass Spectrometer using a Cs Ion gun.

Crystalline complexes are dissolved in dichloromethane and run in p-nitrobenzyl alcohol matrix. LR and HR spectra were obtained with accurate mass deterrninations up to the trimers of approx. 2,500 Daltons. Our work shows that LSIMS is still a good technique for characterising large synthetic complexes up to 4,000 Daltons.