Thermodynamic study of complex formation of benzo-18-crown-6 with K+, Tl+, and Pb2+ in water

H ⁰ and S ⁰ values of the complex formation in water of benzo-18-crown-6 (B18C6) with K⁺, Tl⁺, and Pb²⁺ were determined and compared with those of 18-crown-6. The H⁰ values of B18C6 are negative. The stability in water of the B18C6-metal ion complex at 25°C is governed largely by the magnitude of the H ⁰ value. The B18C6-metal ion complex is less stable in water than the corresponding 18C6-metal ion complex. This is due largely to a less favorable enthalpic contribution of the B18C6-metal ion complex compared with the corresponding 18C6-metal ion complex. The two aromatic ether oxygen atoms of B18C6 are responsible for the larger H ⁰ value of the B18C6-metal ion complex compared with the corresponding 18C6-metal ion complex.