Dissolving metal reduction with crown ether reductive removal of isocyano groups

Toluene radical anion generated from K metal and toluene with the assistance of crown ether has been proven effective for reductive removal of aliphatic isocyano groups.     

Synthesis of tripodal aza crown ether calix[4]arenes and their supramolecular chemistry with transition-, alkali metal ions and anions

Tripodal aza crown ether calix[4]arenes, 5a, 5b, 6a and 6b, have been synthesized. The structure of protonated 5a was elucidated by X-ray crystallography to be a self-threaded rotaxane. Complexation studies of 5a and 5b towards anions using Na⁺ as countercation were carried out by ¹H NMR titration in dimethylsulfoxide-d₆ and the mixture of chloroform-d and methanol-d₄, respectively. Ligands 5a and 5b were able to form 1:1 complexes with Br⁻, I⁻ and NO₃⁻ and the complexation stability varied as follows: NO₃⁻>I⁻>Br⁻. The effect of countercation on anion complexation was also investigated. The results showed that the association constants of 5a towards Br⁻ in the presence of various cations varied as K⁺>Bu₄N⁺>Na⁺. The enhancement in anion complexation ability of 5a may result from the rearrangement of the tripodal ammonium unit in the presence of K⁺. The neutral forms, 6a and 6b, were able to form complexes with transition metal ions such as Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺. The stability of the complexes followed the sequence: Ni²⁺2+Cu²⁺Zn²⁺. Compounds 6a and 6b may, therefore, potentially be used as either transition metal ion or anion receptors that can be controlled by pH of the solution.     

Transport of alkali metal cations across liquid membranes by crown ether carboxylic acids

Competitive alkali metal transport from an alkaline aqueous source phase through a chloroform phase to an acidic aqueous receiving phase facilitated by nine crown ethers with pendant carboxylic acid groups has been investigated. Transport selectivity is controlled by the size of the polyether cavity of the carrier. Increasing the lipophilicity of the carrier, while maintaining a constant polyether cavity size, enhances the total transport rate but does not affect the selectivity. There is poor agreement between the results of competitive transport and the behavior anticipated on the basis of single cation transport studies.     

Extraction of alkali metal picrates with poly- and bis(crown ether)s

Extraction of alkali metal picrates by new poly- and bis(crown ether)s containing benzo-15-crown-5 and benzo-18-crown-6 moieties was carried out with chloroform as water-immiscible solvent. The poly- and bis(crown ether)s were found to extract the picrates more effectively than the corresponding monocyclic crown ethers. In particular, poly- and bis(benzo-15-crown-5), and bis(benzo-18-crown-6) are remarkably effective extracting reagents for potassium and rubidium, and for caesium, respectively. Extraction equilibrium constants and the complexation constants in the chloroform phase were also evaluated and the contribution of the complexation constants to the extractability is discussed.     

A supramolecular triarm star polymer from a homotritopic tris(crown ether) host and a complementary monotopic paraquat-terminated polystyrene guest by a supramolecular coupling method

The first supramolecular star polymer based on pseudorotaxane host-guest complexation was prepared from statistical complexation of a homotritopic tris(crown ether) host and monotopic paraquat-terminated polystyrene guest in solution. The formation of this supramolecular star polymer was confirmed by proton NMR characterization and viscosity studies.     

Coupling of benzyl halides mediated through alkali metal supramolecular complexes. A novel route to poly(p-xylylene)

Coupling of benzyl bromide giving 1,2-diphenylethane was demonstrated to proceed at room temperature in THF solution mediated by the potassium/18-crown-6 supramolecular complex. Based on this model reaction a novel method for the low temperature synthesis of poly(p-xylylene) from α,α′-dibromo-p-xylene is proposed. Experimental evidence of the polymer structure was provided by solid-state ¹³C NMR and IR spectroscopy.     

Stability constants for some divalent metal ion/crown ether complexes in methanol determined by polarography and conductometry

Stability constants in methanol at 25.0°C were evaluated for the complexes of the divalent cations Ca²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺, Mg²⁺, Co²⁺ and Cu²⁺ with the macrocyclic polyethers 15-crown-5 (15C5), 18-crown-6 (18C6), dicyclohexyl-18-crown-6 (DC18C6) and dibenzo-24-crown-8 (DB24C8). The log K values of the 1:1 complexes were generally in the range 2.1–4.2, which is low in comparison to the values of the corresponding crown ether/alkali metal ion complexes. M₂L complexes were observed for the systems Pb²⁺/18C6, Pb²⁺/DC18C6, Ca²⁺/DC18C6 and Cu²⁺/D18C6, whereas ML₂ complexes were found for Ca²⁺/18C6 and Cu²⁺/18C6. Within the series of complexes studied, there was no clear relationship between cation diameter and hole size.     

Heavier alkali metal complexes of 2-phenylamidopyridine: an X-ray crystallographic and theoretical study of a structurally diverse series of crown ether adducts

Complexes of the anion of the secondary amine 2-phenylaminopyridine (LH) with the heavier alkali metals Na-Cs have been prepared in the presence of various macrocyclic polyether crowns [12-crown-4 (12C4), 15-crown-5 (15C5), and 18-crown-6 (18C6)], which coordinate to the metal ions in all cases. Depending on the combination of alkali metal and crown, the products include separated ion pairs [(crown)(2)M](+)L(-)(12C4/Na, 15C5/K, 15C5/Rb, 15C5/Cs) and contact-ion-pair neutral molecules [(crown)ML](15C5/Na, 18C6/Na, 18C6/K, 18C6/Rb) in which L(-) acts as a bidentate ligand. [((12C4)KL)(2)] is a dimer in which the amido and pyridine N atoms of two ligands bridge the metal ions, while [((18C6)KL(2)K)([infinity])] is a chain polymer with crown O and pyridyl N atoms acting as bridges in corner-sharing KOKN four-membered rings and may be regarded as a potassium potassate complex. [((18C6)Cs(2)L(2))([infinity])] is also polymeric, with a basic arrangement like that of [((12C4)KL)(2)], but with each 18C6 ligand mu-kappa6:kappa6 to two metal centres, generating the polymer. Although most of the [(crown)(2)M](+) sandwich cations have essentially parallel crown ligands, [(12C4)(2)Rb](+) is markedly bent, both in the complex incorporating THF as an additional ligand and in the THF-free complex, where two of these cations form a centrosymmetric dimer through two bridging oxygen atoms; DFT calculations indicate that the bending is inherent, thus enabling the coordination by an extra oxygen atom rather than being a consequence of this coordination. Attempts to isolate the caesium 12C4 derivative were unsuccessful. The compounds have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy, CHN microanalysis and, in most cases, X-ray crystallography.     

Cooperative self-assembly and molecular binding behavior of cyclodextrin-crown ether conjugates mediated by alkali metal ions

In order to quantitatively investigate their molecular binding ability, a series of cyclodextrin-crown ether conjugates containing beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CyD) and crown ether units, i.e.N-(benzoaza-15-crown-5)acylaminomethylene tethered 6-diethylenetriamino-6-deoxy-beta-CyD, N-(benzoaza-15-crown-5)acylaminomethylene tethered 6-triethylenetetraamino-6-deoxy-beta-CyD and 4',5'-dimethylene-benzo-15-crown-5 tethered 6-diethylenetriamino-6-deoxy-beta-CyD, have been prepared as ditopic molecular receptors. Their inclusion complexation behavior with four representative fluorescent dyes, i.e. ammonium 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonate (ANS), sodium 6-toluidino-2-naphthalenesulfonate (TNS), acridine red (AR) and rhodamine B (RhB), has been comprehensively investigated in aqueous NaH2PO4/Na2HPO4 or KH2PO4/K2HPO4 buffer solution (pH 7.20) by means of circular dichroism, fluorescence, and 2D NMR spectra. The results indicate that the self-assembly of crown ether modified beta-CyD mediated by potassium ion exhibits a dimeric structure, which significantly enhances the original binding ability and molecular selectivity of parent beta-CyD and its derivatives towards guest molecules through the cooperative binding of two hydrophobic CyD cavities with one guest. This cooperative binding mode of K+/CyD-crown ether systems are further confirmed by Job's experiments and 2D NMR investigations. Attributed to the positive contributions from the metal-ligated crown ether cap and K+-mediated dimerization of CyDs, the binding constant (Ks) values of CyD-crown ether conjugates toward ANS are 10-83 times higher than that of beta-CyD. The increased binding ability and molecular selectivity of CyD-crown ether conjugates are discussed from the viewpoints of size/shape-fit and multiple recognition mechanism.     

Synthesis of crown ether complexes of alkali-metallated organophosphine oxides and insertion reactions with isonitriles

The synthesis and crystal structures of the alkali-metallated organophosphine oxides [{Ph₂P(O)CH₂}K · 18-crown-6] (1) and [{Ph₂P(O)CH₂}Na · 15-crown-5] (2) are reported. In addition the insertion reaction of an isonitrile into the C-Li bond of [{Ph₂P(O)CH₂}Li] is reported and the crystal structure of the resulting tetrameric complex [Ph₂P(O)CHCHN(Cy)Li]₄ (3) (Cy = Cyclohexyl) described.     

Selective separation of alkali metal cations by bulk chloroform membranes containing lipophilic crown ether phosphonic acid monoethyl esters

A series of crown ether phosphonic acid monoethyl esters with crown ether ring size variation from 12-crown-4 to 24-crown-8 is used in bulk chloroform membranes to separate alkali metal cations from mixtures. Selective proton-coupled transport of alkali metal cations from weakly alkaline aqueous phases is achieved. With individual ionizable crown ether carriers, transport selectivity for Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, and Rb⁺-Cs⁺ is achieved. A closely related lipophilic phosphonic acid monoethyl ester derivative with a cyclohexyl unit in place of the crown ether exhibits transport selectivity for Li⁺. However, the corresponding phosphonic acid diethyl ester is devoid of transport activity. Effects of structural variation within the carrier upon the selectivity and efficiency of competitive alkali metal cation transport are assessed.     

Nature of intermolecular interactions and conductance in a system consisting of alkali metal ions,crown ether,anion radicals,and a polar solvent

The methods of²³Na and⁷Li NMR, EPR and conductimetry have been used to investigate the intermolecular interactions in systems consisting of the anion-radical salt of an alkali metal and a crown ether, dissolved in acetonitrile. Relations have been established between the structure of the complexes formed in solution, their magnetic resonance characteristics, and their limiting conductance. For solutions of anionradical salts in the presence of an excess of crown ether additional routes for conductance have been identified, connected with electron exchange reactions between the molecules of organic -acids in different charge states.Translated from Teoreticheskaya i Éksperimental'naya Khimiya, Vol. 25, No. 2, pp. 173–182, March–April, 1989.     

Crystal to crystal transformations and polymorphism in anionic hydrogen bonding networks stabilized by crown ether metal complexes

15-crown[5] or 18-crown[6] complexes of alkali, transition metal and ammonium cations together with polyprotic inorganic and organic anions have been used to construct crystalline molecular salts based on hydrogen bonded anionic networks. This new class of organic-inorganic complexes displays a variety of crystal-to-crystal transformations, mainly associated to the loss/uptake of water molecules and/or to the ionic reorganization accompanying phase transitions on varying the temperature. The dehydration and phase transition processes have been investigated by DSC, TGA and variable temperature X-ray powder diffraction. Most of the complexes described herein have been prepared by solid state mixing of the solid reactants.     

Synthesis and physicochemical investigation of hexafluoro complexes of germanium with mixed alkali metal cations

Hexafluoro complexes of germanium with mixed alkali-metal cations having the composition formula MM'GeF₆, which crystallize in a rhombic syngony were synthesized. The unit cell parameters of the compounds have been determined. It was found that MM'GeF₆ are biaxial optical crystals, and their optical and refractometric constants are given. It was shown that the substitution of the Na⁺ cation in Na₂GeF₆ by K⁺, Rb⁺, Cs⁺ leads to a varied degree of distortion of the hexafluoro ion. It was found (NMR data) that a change in the dynamic state of the octahedral ions is due to a transition from a restrained rotation to an isotropic one.Institute of Chemistry of the Far-Eastern Scientific Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, 690022 Vladivostok. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 11, pp. 2473–2482, November, 1992.     

Spectrophotometric determination of sodium by ion-pair extraction with crown ether complexes and monoanionic dyes

A highly selective photometric procedure for the determination of sodium in blood serum is proposed, based on the ion-pair extraction of a sodium—cryptand complex. A comparative study of cryptands with various cavity sizes, different pairing anions and extraction solvents is described. The use of cryptand 211, picrate and toluene, as ligand, pairing anion and extraction solvent, respectively, allows sodium to be determined at the μg ml^?1 level. A 350-fold amount of potassium (by weight) does not interfere, nor do other alkali metals. Possible interferences by multivalent cations are masked by EDTA.     

UV and IR spectroscopic studies of cold alkali metal ion-crown ether complexes in the gas phase

We report UV photodissociation (UVPD) and IR-UV double-resonance spectra of dibenzo-18-crown-6 (DB18C6) complexes with alkali metal ions (Li(+), Na(+), K(+), Rb(+), and Cs(+)) in a cold, 22-pole ion trap. All the complexes show a number of vibronically resolved UV bands in the 36,000-38,000 cm(-1) region. The Li(+) and Na(+) complexes each exhibit two stable conformations in the cold ion trap (as verified by IR-UV double resonance), whereas the K(+), Rb(+), and Cs(+) complexes exist in a single conformation. We analyze the structure of the conformers with the aid of density functional theory (DFT) calculations. In the Li(+) and Na(+) complexes, DB18C6 distorts the ether ring to fit the cavity size to the small diameter of Li(+) and Na(+). In the complexes with K(+), Rb(+), and Cs(+), DB18C6 adopts a boat-type (C(2v)) open conformation. The K(+) ion is captured in the cavity of the open conformer thanks to the optimum matching between the cavity size and the ion diameter. The Rb(+) and Cs(+) ions sit on top of the ether ring because they are too large to enter the cavity of the open conformer. According to time-dependent DFT calculations, complexes that are highly distorted to hold metal ions open the ether ring upon S(1)-S(0) excitation, and this is confirmed by extensive low-frequency progressions in the UVPD spectra.     

Convective instability in a liquid-liquid system due to complexation with a crown ether

Periodic convective instability has been observed in a biphasic system during the complexation reaction of alkali picrate and dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 which undergoes mass transfer from the hexane phase into the aqueous phase. The convection was visualized by means of precipitated crystals that are formed in both phases by the complexation reaction. The fluid motion was observed with an optical microscope and further analyzed with the particle image velocimetry (PIV) technique. The partition at the extraction of cesium into the organic phase was followed by means of the radioactive isotope (137)Cs. The type of the hydrodynamic instability is governed by the alkali metal expressed via its stability constants for the complex formed. More stable complexes trigger a higher precipitation, thereby favoring a Raleigh-Taylor instability. Complexes with a lower stability constant induce Marangoni cells which show a pulsating character in a cubic container. Depending on the confinement of the experiment cell the fluid motion can also follow a back-and-forth movement. Possible mechanisms for the occurring oscillations are discussed.