SELF-ASSEMBLY OF PYRROLE-FERROCENE HYBRIDS, DETERMINED INTER ALIA BY A NEW CHEMICALLY-INDUCED ELECTROSPRAY MASS-SPECTROMETRY TECHNIQUE

A new approach to organic superstructure self-assembly, based on the u se of pyrrole-ester-substituted ferrocenes, is described. Specifically di- and tetrapyrrole-substituted ferrocenes have been prepared. These species are found to form ribbon-like infinite chains in the solid st ate. In the case of the tetra-substituted system, self-association tak es place in solution to produce small but well-defined oligomers. Thes e oligomers were characterized in solution by VPO analysis and in the solution/gas phase by electrospray mass spectrometric methods. In the latter instance the ferrocene moiety was subjected to selective oxidat ion Frier to analysis, a technique we term oxidative electrospray mass spectrometry (O-ESMS).