Chiral recognition in association between antimony potassium tartrate and bis(L-alaninate)ethylenediamine cobalt(III) complexes using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

The chiral recognition of metal complexes by a quick and sensitive mass spectrometric analysis was investigated. The principle is introduction of an external chiral standard compound and detection of the differential association with two optical isomers. Using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry we detected weak intermolecular association between the external chiral anion bis(mu-L-, D-tartrato)-diantimonate(III), [Sb2(L-, D-tart)2]2- and isomeric bis(L-alaninate) ethylenediamine cobalt(III) complex ions, [Co(L-ala)2(en)]+ in acetonitrile/water solution. The difference in the association with optical isomers of the Co complex was measured. The results were interpreted based on a model of intermolecular interaction involving hydrogen bonding. The prospects of the mass spectrometry method for chiral recognition using the external chiral negative ion [Sb2(L-, D-tart)2]2- was discussed.