Non-template synthesis and electrospray mass spectrometric study of some lanthanide(III) complexes

A new cryptand H3L was synthesized by the direct condensation of tris(2-ami noethyl)amine (tren) with 2,6-diformyl-4-methoxyphenol (dmp) in the absence of a template ion. The complexes [M(H3L)(NO3)](NO3)(2). xH(2)O . yMeOH (M= Y, Sm, Nd; x=1-3, y=1,2) were characterized by several physical methods. Th e behaviours of the ligand and Nd(III) complex were investigated by electro spray mass spectrometry. The Nd(III) cryptate exhibits high thermodynamic a nd kinetic stability in solution for no cryptate fragmentation peaks were o bserved. A complex peak formed by the overlap of two species is also observ ed. The isotopic distributions of peak clusters in the mass spectrum of the Nd(III) cryptate were calculated. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All right s reserved.