DETECTION OF A BIS(SILSESQUIOXANE)-TUNGSTEN COMPLEX BY MATRIX-ASSISTED-LASER-DESORPTION IONIZATION TIME-OF-FLIGHT MASS-SPECTROMETRY/

The application of matrix-assisted laser desorption time-of-flight mas s spectrometry for the analysis of silsesquioxanes is demonstrated. Se veral matrices have been tested far their utility in combination with a UV-laser based system, of which 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid provided t he best signal to noise ratios. The technique is also applied to the s tudy of a tungsten derivative of such a compound, and confirms the NMR data which show evidence for the presence of a bis(silsesquioxane)-tu ngsten complex. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.