Mass spectrometry studies of organolead compounds

The mass spectra of alkyl‐, aryl‐ and chlorinated ‐alkyl, aryl organolead compounds were investigated. Positive and negative ion mass spectra of these compounds were recorded using conventional electron impact conditions. In common with the analogous tetraalkyltin and tetraalkylgermanium compounds, tetrabutyllead produced no negative ion spectra under these conditions. The spectra were also examined by tandem mass spectrometry in order to establish reaction mechanisms for these compounds. Fragmentation patterns of seven organolead compounds, based on precursor–product ion relationships, are proposed. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.