The Use of Electrospray Mass Spectrometry (ES/MS) for the Differential Detection of Some Steroids as Calix-[n]-arene Sulphonate Complexes

Non-covalent inclusion complexes formed between three p-sulphonato-calix-[n]-arenes (1 n = 4, 2 n = 6 and 3 n = 8) and three steroids (progesterone, testosterone and oestradiol) have been studied by electrospray mass spectrometry (ES/MS). Mass spectrometric titration experiments have demonstrated differences with regard to selectivity of each p-sulphonato-calix-[n]-arene against the steroids. p-sulphonato-calix-[8]-arene interacts more strongly with oestradiol and p-sulphonato-calix-[6]-arene with progesterone. Studies in which different orifice voltages were applied show that all oestradiol complexes are reduced in signal intensity at 50 V as compared to 20 V, whereas the intensities observed for the testosterone and progesterone complexes do not vary with voltage. Competition experiments confirm the selectivity of the complexation.