ESI-MS studies of the non-covalent interactions between biologically important metal ions and N-sulfonylcytosine derivatives

The aim of this report is to present the electrospray ionization mass spectrometry results of the non-covalent interaction of two biologically active ligands, N-1-(p-toluenesulfonyl)cytosine, 1-TsC, 1 and N-1 methanesulfonylcytosine, 1-MsC, 2 and their Cu(II) complexes Cu(1-TsCN3)2Cl2, 3 and Cu(1-MsC-N3)2Cl2 and 4 with biologically important cations: Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+ and Zn2+. The formation of various complex metal ions was observed. The alkali metals Na+ and K+ formed clusters because of electrostatic interactions. Ca2+ andMg2+ salts produced the tris ligand andmixed ligand complexes. The interaction of Zn2+ with 1–4 produced monometal and dimetal Zn2+ complexes as a result of the affinity of Zn2+ ions toward both O and N atoms.