Abstract
The complexation of ferrocene and several ferrocene derivatives with the hosts α‐cyclodextrin (α‐CD) and β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) was investigated by electrospray mass spectrometry. A 2:1 complex was detected between α‐CD and ferrocene while a 1:1 complex was observed with β‐CD and this organometallic guest. All the remaining ferrocene derivatives surveyed in this work exhibited mass spectrometry signals corresponding to 1:1 complexes with either host. In contrast to previous electrochemical and proton NMR spectroscopic studies, no evidence was found for ternary or quaternary complexes in these host–guest systems. These results demonstrate for the first time that complexes between cyclodextrins and organometallic compounds are detected in the gas phase. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
