MASS-SPECTROMETRIC STUDY OF SOME ORGANOTELLURIUM(IV) COMPOUNDS

A series of tetracoordinated organotellurium(IV) compounds with potent ial immunomodulating properties were studied mass spectrometrically us ing high-resolution positive ion desorption chemical ionization and co nstant B/E and B-2/E linked-scanning techniques. The nature of the org anic ligand bonded to the Te(IV) has a major influence on the mass spe ctral behavior of these compounds. When only monodentate ligands -OR a re bonded to the Te(IV), no molecular or protonated molecular ion appe ars in the spectrum, although polynuclear species are present. When th e compounds contain bis-bidentate ligands of the type -ORO-, the proto nated molecular ion becomes the base peak and the polynuclear species are not present. (C) 1997 John Whey & Sons, Ltd.