Mass spectrometry studies of organolead compounds

The mass spectra of alkyl-, aryl- and chlorinated -alkyl, aryl organolead c ompounds were investigated. Positive and negative ion mass spectra of these compounds were recorded using conventional electron impact conditions. In common with the analogous tetraalkyltin and tetra-alkylgermanium compounds, tetrabutyllead produced no negative ion spectra under these conditions. Th e spectra were also examined by tandem mass spectrometry in order to establ ish reaction mechanisms for these compounds. Fragmentation patterns of seve n organolead compounds, based on precursor-product ion relationships, are p roposed. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.