Detection of aryllead(IV) carboxylates and their solvent adducts by ESI-mass spectrometry

The successful detection for the first time of some aryllead(IV) carboxylates by electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) is reported; in the presence of excess carboxylate ligand, these compounds gave a reliable [M+Na]+ signal. These conditions appear to be generally suitable for the observation of organolead derivatives, and may find wider application for the reliable detection of other heavy main group and transition organometallic compounds. Furthermore, under these conditions, direct evidence for the formation of solvent (MeCN) and pyridine adducts for several different aryllead(IV) carboxylates was obtained, confirming the existence of facile ligand equilibration in lead(IV) carboxylates.