Correlation between thermal and mass spectral techniques for the characterization of allenylidene and carbene complexes.

The fragmentation pathways of allenylidene and carbene complexes have been studied using FAB mass spectrometry in comparison with thermal analyses (TGA, DrTG and DTA). Both the decomposition modes are investigated and the possible fragmentation pathways are suggested. The use of mass and thermal analyses (TGA and DTA) in the analyses of allenylidene and carbene complexes allowed the characterization of the fragmentation pathways in MS. The major pathway includes successive loss of carbon monoxide followed by fragmentation of the organic part of the allenylidene or carbene molecules. This is also confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) where the first step involves the loss of carbon monoxide followed by the organic ligand. The nature of each step; exothermic or endothermic, is also studied using DTA technique. The kinetic parameters of the thermal decomposition are also studied using the Coates-Redfern method.