Detection of Al(III) and Ga(III) complexes with morin by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

The Al(III) and Ga(III) complexes formed by morin (M) in aqueous solution were investigated by means of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). In the full scan mass spectra, Al:M showed 1:2 and 2:3 stoichiometric ratios. When (S)-N-acetylserine methyl ester (Ser), as a partial mimic of the serine residue in silk, was added to Al:M and Ga:M complexes in aqueous solution, the mass spectra of Ser:Al:M showed 1:1:1 and 1:1:2 stoichiometric ratios. The patterns of the mass spectra of Ga:M and Ser:Ga:M complexes were similar to those for the corresponding Al(III) complexes. Calculated heats of formation of potential structures of the complexes, with and without bound water, were obtained using semiempirical PM3 calculations.