Electrospray mass spectrometry analysis of ferocenylketimines and their platinum(II) complexes

Ferrocenylketimines from ethylenediamine, trimethylenediamine, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine and ferrocenecarboxaldehyde were prepared and characterized by elementary analysis, Fourier Transform infrared (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and electrospray mass spectrometry (ESMS). Corresponding platinum(II) complexes were also prepared and characterized by elementary analysis, FTIR and ESMS. The results of ESMS are discussed in terms of stability and show that the complexes are unstable and undergo cyclometallation under relatively mild conditions of ionization. This study has also evidenced the possibility of formation of complexes having two metal ions bound to one ligand instead of the more favorable chelates.