Studies of complex formation between anthraquinones and metal ions by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

The metal complexation of the hydroxyanthraquinones, chrysotalunin, chrysophanol and their derivatives, with Al3+, Ni2+ and Zn2+ was studied by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The results showed that chrysophanol and its derivatives form metal complexes with Al3+, Ni2+ and Zn2+ ions, but chrysotalunin does not. Among the metal ions, Al3+ was found to form the complexes most easily.