LAMMA mass spectra of β-diketone,bis(benzoylacetone)ethylenediimine and bis(salicylidene)ethylenediimine complexes of some transition metals

Complexes of 2,4-pentanedione (acetylacetone, acac), [Cu(acac)₂], [VO(acac)₂] and [CO(acac)₃], and the chromium(III) derivative of 3-methyl-2,4-pentanedione (methylacetylacetone, meac), [Cr(meac)₃], the ligands bis(benzoylacetone)ethylenediimine and bis(salicylidene)ethylenediimine, and their cobalt(II), nickel(II) and copper(II) chelates were analysed by laser desorption mass spectrometry (LAMMA) and compared to electron impact (EI) results. The positive ion LAMMA spectra generally reveal mostly small fragments, although metal cationization peaks are seen for most complexes. Negative ion LAMMA produce carbon clusters and some structurally important fragments.