Phenylcopper(I) clusters in the gas phase obtained by laser desorption/ionization from bis(dibenzoylmethane)copper(II)

Abstract

AbstractIt has been demonstrated that phenylcopper(I)-containing clusters are generated in the gas phase from bis(dibenzoylmethane) copper(II) (Cu(dbm)2) by laser desorption/ ionization (LDI) method. For example, the [Cu5dbm2(C6H5)2]+ ion can be considered as consisting of two Cudbm molecules, two CuC6H5 molecules and a Cu+ cation. The [Cu5(C6H5)4]+ ion can be considered as phenylcopper(I) cluster (consisting of four phenylcopper molecules) ionized by additional Cu+ cation. Results from MS/MS (tandem mass spectrometry) experiments have confirmed the presence of phenylcopper molecules in the analyzed clusters. Ease of preparation of dibenzoylmethane-metal complexes and straightforward method to obtain LDI mass spectra offer a wide range of possibilities to study similar organometallic clusters in the gas phase.