Electrochemistry of Azocrown Ethers in Langmuir-Blodgett Monolayers

Abstract

Monomolecular films of amphiphilic derivatives of crown ethers bearing an azo group in the macrocycle were prepared on surfaces of pure water and transferred onto electrodes using the Langmuir-Blodgett technique. The azocompounds studied were separated into Z and E stereoisomers. Monolayers of both isomers of azocrowns were transferred onto the surfaces of hydrophilic (thin mercury film electrode, TMFE) and hydrophobic (indium-tin oxide, ITO) electrodes. The electrode processes showed more reversible cyclic voltammetry profiles when mercury was used instead of ITO as the electrode substrate. This difference was ascribed to the different orientation of the molecules on the electrode surface.     

Structural and Chemical Features of Extraction with Crown Ethers

Unlike linear extracting agents, in the extraction of metal salts from aqueous solutions of inorganic acids with crown ethers, the inclusion compounds, whose composition depends on several external and internal factors, go to the organic phase. The study of the molecular structure of the formed complexes by X-ray diffraction analysis showed that adducts of crown ethers with inorganic acids are host–guest complexes in which the hydroxonium ion is in the polyether macrocycle cavity. When the aqueous phase contains metal ions capable of displacing the hydroxonium ions from the macrocycle (K⁺, Pb²⁺, Hg²⁺, Sr²⁺, NH₄ ⁺), complexes containing metal cations as the guest in the macrocycle cavity, according to X-ray diffraction data, go to the organic phase. In addition, metals forming ionic associates (AuCl₄ ^-, FeCl₄ ^-, GaCl₄ ^-) in an aqueous solution are extracted with crown ethers in accordance with the anion-exchange mechanism. A system in which traces of metals in the 2 M HNO₃ +5 M HCl mixture serve as the aqueous phase was proposed for estimation of the general extraction ability of crown ethers. Such a system can be used for metal extraction via any possible mechanism. The stereochemical peculiarities of the extraction ability of crown ethers (compared to linear molecules) can be used for selective extraction and separation of metals.     

Chromogenic azole diazothiacrown ethers

Azocrown ethers with sulphur atoms and pyrrole or imidazole residue as a part of macrocycle have been synthesised. Their metal complexation abilities in acetonitrile were studied using UV–vis spectrophotometry. The largest spectral changes were observed for both pyrrole- and imidazole-azothiacrown ethers on complexation with Pb^2 + , Cu^2 + , Zn^2 + , Ni^2 + , Co^2 +  and Ag⁺ ions. In the case of alkali and alkaline earth metal ions no spectral changes were found. Preliminary studies of ion-selective membrane electrodes with synthesised ionophores are presented. In the measurement for transition/heavy metal cations, only copper and lead give high responses. X-ray structure of 18-membered pyrrole azothiacrown ether is described.     

Synthesis and Complexing Properties of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N,N</Emphasis>′-Bis(2-hydroxyethyl) Diaza Crown Ethers

The stability constants of complexes of 12-, 15-, and 18-membered diaza crown ethers, N,N′-dimethyl diaza crown ethers, and N,N′-bis(2-hydroxyethyl) diaza crown ethers with alkali and alkaline-earth metal ions in 95% aqueous methanol at 25°C were determined. The stability of the complexes of unsubstituted diaza crown ethers with alkali metal cations is low, probably because of stabilization of the exo,exo conformation of the ligands due to interaction of the nitrogen lone electron pairs with the solvent. The complexes with the double-charged cations are appreciably more stable. N,N′-Dimethyl diaza crown ethers form stable complexes with all the ions studied. As compared to the dimethyl derivatives, N,N′-bis(2-hydroxyethyl) diaza crown ethers form more stable complexes with the Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, and Ba²⁺ ions, which is due to participation of the side hydroxyethyl groups in the coordination.__________Translated from Zhurnal Obshchei Khimii, Vol. 75, No. 4, 2005, pp. 665–669.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Kulygina, Vetrogon, Basok, Luk’yanenko.     

Study on the Film Properties and Recognition for Metal Ions of Calix[4]arenes Derivative by Langmuir Monolayer

Calixarene molecules are very powerful ligand for ions and small molecules, and have been studied with several techniques as models for host‐guest systems. In this approach, the formation of Langmuir monolayer properties of three kinds calix[4]arene derivative were characterized and one of them, p‐tert‐butylthiacalix[4]arene (TCA), was chosen as object to study its Langmuir monolayer affected by different subphase conditions. The purpose of this study is to investigate the molecular recognition ability of TCA for metal ions at the water‐air interface. Changing the composition of aqueous subphase (containing various metal ion solutions respectively) produced strong variations on the monolayer parameters, indicating a different selectivity of the TCA ligand for the different metal cations. In particular, high selectivity for transition metal ions was found. Limiting area values are discussed in relation to the orientation of the cone‐shaped molecules at the water‐air interface.     

Chromogenic macrocyclic derivatives of azoles—synthesis and properties

The synthesis of macrocyclic chromogenic derivatives of pyrrole and imidazole is described. The complexing properties of these compounds with metal cations were investigated spectrophotometrically in acetonitrile. The synthesized crown ethers were also tested as ion carriers in ion-selective membrane electrodes. The X-ray structure of one isomer of 18-membered pyrrole crown ether is reported.     

Wurster''s crownophanes: an alternate topology for para-phenylenediamine-based macrocycles

Six redox-active cyclophane/crown hybrid molecules (crownophanes) were prepared via cyclization reactions involving N,N′-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine and tosylated oligoethylene glycols of varying length. These new host molecules differ from other phenylenediamine-containing crown ethers in that the electron-rich π face is designed to be part of the ligating group. Their electrochemical properties were determined by cyclic voltammetry with a correlation found between macrocyclic architecture and ease of oxidation. The affinity of the smaller crownophanes for cations was studied by cyclic voltammetry with the result that these hosts show no electrochemical response to alkali metal cations, but, dependent on macrocycle size, modest selectivity for alkaline earth metal cations. This stands in contrast to previously reported phenylenediamine-containing crown ethers in which the redox centers are linked to guest ions through a macrocyclic amino group.     

Selective complexation of alkali metal ions using crown ethers derived from calix[4]arenes: a computational investigation of the structural and energetic factors

A systematic analysis of the structural, energetic, and thermodynamic factors involved in alkali metal (i.e., Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, and Cs⁺) complexation by four calix[4]arene crown-6 ethers in the 1,3-alternate conformation is presented here. The ligands (or hosts) in this work are identical to, or closely related to, the four molecules whose selectivity towards complexing Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, and Cs⁺ from aqueous solutions was studied experimentally by Casnati et al. (Tetrahedron 60(36):7869–7876, 2004). By dividing the complexation process into three different contributions, namely, the binding energy of the ion to the crown, the elastic energy of the crown, and the solvation effect, it becomes clear that the primary factor that determines ion selectivity in crown-6-ethers is not the size of the crown, as currently believed. All four crown ethers preferentially complex with the smallest ion (Na⁺) in the gas phase. In the condensed phase, these crown-6 ethers preferentially complex with the larger ions only because the aqueous solvation energies of the alkali metal ions make it thermodynamically less favorable to extract the smaller ions from aqueous solutions. This suggests that the current understanding of the factors influencing the selectivity of metal ion complexation by crown ethers may be in need of revision.     

Nitro derivatives of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-alkylbenzoaza-15-crown-5: synthesis,structures, and complexation with metal and ammonium cations

A number of N-alkylnitrobenzoaza-15-crown-5 with the macrocycle N atom conjugated with the benzene ring were obtained. The structural and complexing properties of these compounds were compared with those of model nitrobenzo- and N-(4-nitrophenyl)aza-15-crown-5 using X-ray diffraction, ¹H NMR spectroscopy, and DFT calculations. The macrocyclic N atom of benzoazacrown ethers are characterized by a considerable contribution of the sp3-hybridized state and a pronounced pyramidal geometry; the crownlike conformation of the macrocycle is preorganized for cation binding, which facilitates complexation. The stability constants of the complexes of crown ethers with the NH₄ ⁺, EtNH₃ ⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Ba²⁺ ions were determined by 1H NMR titration in MeCN-d₃. The most stable complexes were obtained with alkaline-earth metal cations, which is due to the higher charge density at these cations. The characteristics of the complexing ability of N-alkylnitrobenzoaza-15-crown-5 toward alkaline earth metal cations are comparable with analogous characteristics of nitrobenzo-15-crown-5 and are much better than those of N-(4-nitrophenyl)aza-15-crown-5.     

13-Membered Azo- and Azoxycrown Compounds with Sulfur Atom in Long Side Chain

Abstract

A facile way to obtain azo- and azoxycrown ethers with sulfur atom in side chain has been developed. Applicability of these crown ethers in sodium-sensitive membrane electrodes has been studied. Formation of Langmuir-Blodgett monolayers of amphiphilic azocrown ethers on aqueous subphase has been investigated.     

Synthesis and complexing properties of bis-crown ethers incorporating benzo-15-crown-5 and metallocene

Bis-crown ethers in which the benzo-15-crown-5 units were linked to 1,1′-positions of metallocene (M = Fe or Ru) with amide, ester, or ? C? C? bonds were synthesized. Complexing ability of the compounds with alkali, alkali earth, and transition metal cations were measured by the solvent extraction method. The results showed that these crown ethers had high affinity toward alkali metal cations (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, and Rb⁺) and heavy-metal cations (Ag⁺ and Tl⁺). The difference of complexing ability for metal cations between ferrocene and ruthenocene derivatives could not be detected significantly. The extractability of metallocene-bis-crown ethers for metal cations was more larger than that of the corresponding mono-crown ethers, and irregular increments of extractability were explained by assuming the existence of a mixture of 1:1 and 2:1 complexes.     

Synthesis and Complexation Behavior Studies of Novel Bis-crown Ethers

The novel unique structures of bis-crown ethers were successfully synthesized from tri (propylene glycol) di-acrylate with amino- and aza-crown ethers through Michael addition. The crown ethers contained the primary and the secondary amine group such as 2-aminomethyl crown ethers, 4-aminobenzo crown ethers and 1-aza crown ethers. The newly synthesized bis-crown ethers were characterized by elemental analyses, IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, mass spectrum, respectively. The newly synthesized host compounds of bis-crown ethers showed complex ability with various sizes of alkali metal cations such as Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺ and Cs⁺. The complexation behavior was examined by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and UV spectrometry.     

Synthesis of Double-Armed Benzo-15-crown-5 and Their Complexation Thermodynamics with Alkali Cations

A series of double-armed benzo-15-crown-5 lariats (3–8) have been synthesized by the reaction of 4′, 5′-bis(bromomethyl)-benzo-15-crown-5 (2) with 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, phenol, 4-chlorophenol, 4-methoxyphenol, 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde, and 4-acetamidophenol in 43 ~ 82% yields, respectively. The complex stability constants (K _S) and thermodynamic parameters for the stoichiometric 1:1 and/or 1:2 complexes of benzo-15-crown-5 1 and double-armed crown ethers 3–8 with alkali cations (Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺) have been determined in methanol–water (V/V=8:2) at 25 °C by means of microcalorimetric titrations. As compared with the parent benzo-15-crown-5 1, double-armed crown ethers 3–8 show unremarkable changes in the complex stability constants upon complexation with Na⁺, but present significantly enhanced binding ability toward cations larger than the crown cavity by the secondly sandwich complexation. Thermodynamically, the sandwich complexations of crown ethers 3-8 with cations are mostly enthalpy-driven processes accompanied with a moderate entropy loss. The binding ability and selectivity of cations by the double-armed crown ethers are discussed from the viewpoints of the electron density, additional binding site, softness, spatial arrangement, and especially the cooperative binding of two crown ether molecules toward one metal ion.     

Metal ion-induced H-aggregation of a water-soluble anionic dye Congo red (CR) in Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) film

Present communication reports the preparation of Langmuir monolayer of water-soluble anionic dye Congo red (CR) by allowing it to adsorb from the aqueous subphase onto the preformed Langmuir monolayer of anionic stearic acid using divalent metal cations Mg²⁺ as mediator. Isotherm and compressibility studies of SA-Mg-CR hybrid monolayer gave valuable information about the molecular organisation in the Langmuir monolayer. Absorption spectroscopic studies revealed the formation of H-aggregates in the hybrid Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) films fabricated at lower salt concentration in the subphase. Atomic Force Microscopic image gave visual evidence of distinct nanocrystalline domains in the LB monolayer film.     

Azoxy Compounds—From Synthesis to Reagents for Azoxy Group Transfer Reactions

The azoxy functional group is an important structural motif and represents the formally oxidized counterpart of the azo group. Azoxy compounds find numerous applications ranging from pharmaceuticals to functional materials, yet their synthesis remains underdeveloped with a main focus on the formation symmetric azoxy compounds. To overcome challenges in the synthesis of such unsymmetric azoxy compounds, we designed a process employing readily accessible nitroso compounds and iminoiodinanes. This method builds on the use of visible light irradiation to generate a triplet nitrene from iminoiodinanes, which is trapped by nitroso arenes to give access to sulfonyl-protected azoxy compounds with a good substrate scope and functional group tolerance. We further describe two applications of these sulfonyl-protected azoxy compounds as radical precursors in synthesis, where the whole azoxy group can be transferred and employed in C(sp³)−H functionalization of ethers or 1,2-difunctionalization of vinyl ethers. All of the reactions occurred at room temperature under visible light irradiation without the addition of any photoredox catalysts and additives. Control experiments, mechanism investigations, and DFT studies well explained the observed reactivity.     

Synthesis of Double-Armed Benzo-15-crown-5 and Their Complexation Thermodynamics with Alkali Cations

A series of double-armed benzo-15-crown-5 lariats (3–8) have been synthesized by the reaction of 4′, 5′-bis(bromomethyl)-benzo-15-crown-5 (2) with 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, phenol, 4-chlorophenol, 4-methoxyphenol, 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde, and 4-acetamidophenol in 43 ~ 82% yields, respectively. The complex stability constants (K _S) and thermodynamic parameters for the stoichiometric 1:1 and/or 1:2 complexes of benzo-15-crown-5 1 and double-armed crown ethers 3–8 with alkali cations (Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺) have been determined in methanol–water (V/V=8:2) at 25 °C by means of microcalorimetric titrations. As compared with the parent benzo-15-crown-5 1, double-armed crown ethers 3–8 show unremarkable changes in the complex stability constants upon complexation with Na⁺, but present significantly enhanced binding ability toward cations larger than the crown cavity by the secondly sandwich complexation. Thermodynamically, the sandwich complexations of crown ethers 3-8 with cations are mostly enthalpy-driven processes accompanied with a moderate entropy loss. The binding ability and selectivity of cations by the double-armed crown ethers are discussed from the viewpoints of the electron density, additional binding site, softness, spatial arrangement, and especially the cooperative binding of two crown ether molecules toward one metal ion.Graphical Abstract Synthesis of Double-Armed Benzo-15-crown-5 and Their Complexation Thermodynamics with Alkali CationsYU LIU*, JIAN-RONG HAN, ZHONG-YU DUAN and HENG-YI ZHANG This revised version was published online in July 2005 with a corrected issue number.     

Bis(Benzo-18-crown-6) Derivatives: Synthesis and Ion-Sensing Properties in Plasticized PVC Membranes

Several mono-and bis(benzo-18-crown-6) ethers comprising o-nitrophenyl urethanemoieties were synthesized and studied as ionophores in PVC membrane electrodes. Thebis(crown ether)s were found to exhibit good potentiometric Cs⁺ selectivity overmono and divalent cations as compared to the respective mono(crown ether)s.     

Proton-ionizable crown compounds. 17. Transport studies of alkali metal ions in a H2O-CH2Cl2-H2O liquid membrane system by macrocycles containing two sulfonamide groups derived fromo- andm-phenylene diamine

The transport of alkali metal cations by several macrocycles possessing two sulfonamide groups as a part of an 18-, 20-, or 21-membered macroring has been studied. Some of these compounds were found to be more effective transport agents than the proton-ionizable pyridone- and triazole-containing crown ethers reported previously. The factors affecting transport, such as ring size, source and receiving phase pH, and the nature of the groups attached to the sulfonamide nitrogen atoms were examined. Also, extraction experiments by some of the ligands were performed. The behavior of sulfonamide type crowns in single and competitive transport of the alkali metal cations is explained. The mechanism of transport appears to be complex. Transport of one or two cations per molecule of the disulfonamide carriers occurs. Complexation of these cations appears to occur both within and outside the macrocycle cavity. Our results also suggest that kinetic factors may play a significant role in transport rates and selectivities.Deceased: September 5, 1987.     

Synthesis of Novel 4‐((Substituted bis‐indolyl)methyl)‐benzo‐15‐crown‐5 for the Colorimetric Detection of Hg2+ Ions in an Aqueous Medium

A practical, two‐step synthesis of novel 4‐(substituted bis‐indolyl)methyl)benzo‐15‐crown‐5 has been reported. The strategy employed for the synthesis of the desired molecules involved Duff formylation of benzo‐15‐crown‐5 to get 4‐formyl benzo‐15‐crown‐5 followed by subsequent reactions with substituted indoles in trifluoroacetic acid to yield novel 4‐(substituted bis‐indolyl)methyl)benzo‐15‐crown‐5 in moderate to good yield. One of the reported novel molecule tested for the complexation behavior with various metal cations, such as Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺ Ca²⁺, Al³⁺, Fe²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Sn²⁺, Ba²⁺, Hg²⁺, and Pb²⁺, showed a visual colorimetric probe for the detection of mercury cations (Hg²⁺) in an aqueous medium.     

Adsorption of polymers with crown ether substituents on muscovite mica

Ultrahigh specific surface area muscovite with different ions at the surface (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, Cs⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺, Cu²⁺) was treated with aqueous solutions of low molecular weight crown ethers and polymers with crown ether substituents. The adsorption was assessed by UV analysis of the supernatant solution, and with TGA and IR spectroscopy of the mica solids. In contrast to other layered silicates, the low molecular weight crown ethers show no affinity to any of the muscovite surfaces. The polymers can adsorb, however, depending on the type of surface cation. The results indicate that at least some of the crown ether moieties are complexed to surface cations and that the diameter of the ions at the surface plays an important role in the adsorption process.