Characterization of a single crystal cubic prussian blue Co-8(tacn)(8)(CN)(12) cluster by ion trap and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance massspectrometry with microelectrospray ionization

A single crystal of Co-8(tacn)(8)(CN)(12) has been characterized by microel ectrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The spectra obtained by use of Fou rier transform ion cyclotron resonance (ET-ICR), ion trap and quadrupole ma ss spectrometers show the +4, +3, and +2 charge states of the cluster. With the aid of a 9.4 tesla FT-ICR mass spectrometer it was possible to resolve the isotope pattern for each individual charge state. The data collected s uggest that microelectrospray renders spectra which are more specific to th e intact molecule, whereas more fragmentation is induced under normal elect rospray conditions. The present data suggest that microelectrospray is a po werful tool for characterization of Prussian blue complexes. (C) 1999 Ameri can Society for Mass Spectrometry.