Abstract
A detailed analysis is presented of the fragmentation patterns of a series of terpyridine-based polyether dendritic ligands (L) and their corresponding iron(II) complexes [Fe(L)2][PF6]2 recorded under typical liquid secondary ion mass spectrometry (L-SIMS) conditions. Fragmentation behaviour of these compounds is characterised and is well-correlated to their structural features. In addition to the unexpected reduction phenomenon of the iron(II) metal centre, there also exists a high-order of multiple charging for both the free dendritic ligands and the corresponding metallodendrimers. Molecule-ions with up to ten charges have been observed for metallodendrimers. From the comparison of mass spectral features of the free dendritic ligands and the corresponding metallodendrimers, it is concluded that the observed high-order of multiple charging originates from the multiple loss of electrons from the terpyridine core of the molecules.
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