Spectroscopic studies on binding of Puerarin to human serum albumin

The interaction between Puerarin with human serum albumin has been studied for the first time by spectroscopic methods including fluorescence quenching technology, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy under simulative physiological conditions. The results of fluorescence titration revealed that Puerarin can strongly quench the intrinsic fluorescence of HSA by static quenching and there is a single class of binding site on HSA. In addition, the studies of CD spectroscopy and FT-IR spectroscopy showed that the binding of Puerarin to HSA changed slightly molecular conformation of HSA. Furthermore, the thermodynamic functions ΔH⁰ and ΔS⁰ for the reaction were calculated to be −9.067 kJ mol⁻¹ and 54.315 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹ according to van’t Hoff equation. These data suggested that both hydrogen bond and hydrophobic interaction play a major role in the binding of Puerarin to HSA, which is in good agreement with the result of molecular modeling study.     

Al-centered functionalized inorganic–organic hybrid sorbent containing N and S donor atoms for effective removal of cadmium

A new aluminium-incorporated layered inorganic–organic hybrid material (Al-GPTS-TU) has been successfully synthesized by using sol–gel based precursor under mild temperature condition and silylaing agent (GPTS-TU) derived from the reaction of 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTS) and thiourea (TU). The hybrid material was characterized by using various instrumentation techniques and the result confirmed the attachment of organic functionality to the inorganic silicon network. The inter-lamellar distance for the hybrid material was found to be 41.33 Å. The synthesized hybrid was used for the removal of cadmium from dilute aqueous solution with variation of solution parameters. Thermodynamic parameters ΔH and ΔS, evaluated for the adsorption of cadmium from water solution, were found to be 73.68 kJ mol^?1 and 282.9 J mol^?1 K^?1, respectively, indicating adsorption process to be endothermic in nature. The negative value of ΔG indicated the feasibility and spontaneity of ongoing adsorption process. The hybrid material containing multiple coordination sites such as S and N in the attached organic functionality can find potential applications for the removal of various metal toxicants from water bodies to prevent the eco-system.     

Study on the interaction between antibacterial drug and bovine serum albumin: A spectroscopic approach

The binding of sulfamethoxazole (SMZ) to bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated by spectroscopic methods viz., fluorescence, FT-IR and UV–vis absorption techniques. The binding parameters have been evaluated by fluorescence quenching method. The thermodynamic parameters, ΔH°, ΔS°and ΔG° were observed to be −58.0 kJ mol⁻¹, −111 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ and −24 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. These indicated that the hydrogen bonding and weak van der Waals forces played a major role in the interaction. Based on the Forster's theory of non-radiation energy transfer, the binding average distance, r, between the donor (BSA) and acceptor (SMZ) was evaluated and found to be 4.12 nm. Spectral results showed the binding of SMZ to BSA induced conformational changes in BSA. The effect of common ions and some of the polymers used in drug delivery for control release was also tested on the binding of SMZ to BSA. The effect of common ions revealed that there is adverse effect on the binding of SMZ to BSA.     

Molecular modeling and spectroscopic studies on binding of 2,6-bis[4-(4-amino-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)benzoyl] pyridine to human serum albumin

BAFP (2,6-bis[4-(4-amino-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)benzoyl] pyridine), a synthesized polyimide compound, was exploited for the first time to analyze its interaction with human serum albumin (HSA) by molecular modeling, fluorescence and Fourier transform infrared attenuated total reflection spectroscopy (FTIR ATR) with drug concentrations of 3.3 × 10⁻⁶ to 3.0 × 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹. Molecular docking was performed to reveal the possible binding mode. The results suggested that BAFP can strongly bind to human serum albumin (HSA) and the primary binding site of BAFP is located in site II of HSA, which is supported by the results from the competitive experiment. The binding constants for the interaction of BAFP with HSA have been evaluated from relevant fluorescence data at different temperatures (296, 303, 310 and 308 K). The alterations of the protein secondary structure in the presence of BAFP in aqueous solution were quantitatively calculated by the evidences from FTIR ATR spectroscopes. The binding process was exothermic and spontaneous, as indicated by the thermodynamic analyses, and the major part of the binding energy is hydrophobic interaction, which is also in good agreement with the results of molecule modeling study. The enthalpy change ΔH⁰, the free energy change ΔG⁰ and the entropy change ΔS⁰ of 296 K were calculated to be −7.75, −27.68 kJ mol⁻¹ and 67.33 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹, respectively.     

Interactions of thioflavin T with serum albumins: Spectroscopic analyses

The interaction of thioflavin T (ThT) with serum albumins from four different mammalian species i.e. human, bovine, porcine and rabbit, has been investigated by circular dichroism (CD), fluorescence spectroscopy and ITC. The binding constant (K) for HSA was found to be 9.9 × 10⁴ M⁻¹, 4.3 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ for RSA, 1.07 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ for PSA and 0.3 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ for BSA and the number of binding sites (n) were 1.14, 1.06, 0.94 and 0.8, respectively, which is very significant. By using unfolding pathway of HSA in the presence of urea, domain II of HSA has been assigned to possess binding site of ThT. Its binding constant is comparable to many drugs that bind at domain II of HSA, like salicylate, warfarin, digitoxin, etc. Acting force between HSA and ThT is showing that both hydrophobic and electrostatic forces have contributed for the interaction. ΔG_binding, ΔH and ΔS were calculated to be −28.46 kJ mol⁻¹, −3.50 kJ mol⁻¹ and 81.04 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, respectively. The data described here will help to increase our understanding about the interaction of ThT with native proteins. The results also indicate that care must be taken while using ThT as a probe for detecting amyloid fibrils.     

Total phase change entropies and enthalpies. An update on fusion enthalpies and their estimation

This compendium summarizes the fusion enthalpies of approximately 1000 new measurements. A group additivity method developed to estimate the total phase change entropies and enthalpies of organic solids is updated, applied to the new data and the results are compared. The uncertainties associated with the 1016 new measurements, ±18.5 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹ and ±7.6 kJ mol⁻¹ for total phase change entropies and enthalpies, respectively, are similar in magnitude to those reported previously. Experimental and estimated fusion entropies and fusion enthalpies along with references are available as supplementary material.     

Studies of (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxylsilane and bis(trimethoxysilyl)ethane sol–gel coating on copper and aluminum

Berbamine, a naturally occurring isoquinoline alkaloid extracted from Berberis sp., is the active constituent of some Chinese herbal medicines and exhibits a variety of pharmacological activities. The effects of berbamine on the structure of bovine serum albumin (BSA) were investigated by circular dichroism, fluorescence and absorption spectroscopy under physiological conditions. Berbamine caused a static quenching of the intrinsic fluorescence of BSA, and the quenching data were analyzed by application of the Stern–Volmer equation. There was a single primary berbamine-binding site on BSA with a binding constant of 2.577 × 10⁴ L mol⁻¹ at 298 K. The thermodynamic parameters, enthalpy change (ΔH⁰) and entropy change (ΔS⁰) for the reaction were −76.5 kJ mol⁻¹ and −173.4 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹ according to the van’t Hoff equation. The results showed that the hydrogen bond and van der Waals interaction were the predominant forces in the binding process. Competitive experiments revealed a displacement of warfarin by berbamine, indicating that the binding site was located at Drug sites I. The distance r between the donor (BSA) and the acceptor (berbamine) was obtained according to the Förster non-radiation energy transfer theory. The results of three-dimensional fluorescence spectra, UV–vis absorption difference spectra and circular dichroism of BSA in the presence of berbamine showed that the conformation of BSA was changed. The results provide a quantitative understanding of the effect of berbamine on the structure of bovine serum albumin, providing a useful guideline for further drug design.     

Equilibrium, kinetics and thermodynamic aspects of Promethazine hydrochloride sorption by iron rich smectite

Equilibrium, kinetics and thermodynamic aspects of sorption of Promethazine hydrochloride (PHCl) onto iron rich smectite (IRS) from aqueous solution were investigated. The effect of pH on sorption of PHCl onto IRS was also found out. Experimental data were evaluated by using Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin–Raduschkevich (DR) isotherm equations. Freundlich and DR equations provided better compatibility than Langmuir equation. Besides, it was determined that the maximum sorption of PHCl takes place at about pH 5. From kinetic studies, it was obtained that sorption kinetics follow pseudo-second-order kinetic model for PHCl sorption onto IRS. When thermodynamic studies are concerned, the values of activation energy (E_a), ΔG°, ΔH° and ΔS° were obtained. ΔG° values are in the range of −8.84 and −9.45 kJ mol⁻¹ indicating spontaneous nature of physisorption. The negative value of the ΔH° (−3.20 kJ mol⁻¹) indicates exothermic nature of adsorption. FTIR analysis and SEM observations of IRS and PHCl adsorbed IRS were also carried out. Sorption experiments indicate that IRS may be used effectively for the adsorption of PHCl.     

The standard partial molar entropy of the aqueous tetra-n-butylammonium cation

The standard partial molar entropy of the aqueous tetrabutylammonium cation, not known previously, has now been obtained, based on the molar entropy of two of its crystalline salts, the iodide and the tetraphenylborate, recently determined experimentally for this purpose. The calculation required also published molar enthalpies of solution and solubilities of these two salts as well as of the perchlorate. The choice of the anions depended mainly on the limited solubilities of the examined salts in water, facilitating the estimation of the relevant activity coefficients. The result is S^∞(Bu₄N⁺, aq) = (380 ± 20) J · K⁻¹ · mol⁻¹ at T = 298.15 K, on the mol · dm⁻³ scale and based on S^∞(H⁺, aq) = (−22.2 ± 1.2) J · K⁻¹ · mol⁻¹ (yielding the ‘absolute’ value). The molar entropy of this cation in the ideal gas standard state, S(Bu₄N⁺, g) = (798 ± 8) J · K⁻¹ · mol⁻¹ then yielded the molar entropy of hydration Δ_hydS^∞ (Bu₄N⁺) = (−418 ± 23) J · K⁻¹ · mol⁻¹.     

Dinitrogen and carbon monoxide hydrogen bonding in protonic zeolites: Studies from variable-temperature infrared spectroscopy

Adsorption (at a low temperature) of nitrogen on the protonic zeolite H-Y results in hydrogen bonding of the adsorbed N₂ molecules with the zeolite Si(OH)Al Brønsted-acid groups. This hydrogen-bonding interaction leads to activation, in the infrared, of the fundamental N–N stretching mode, which appears at 2334 cm⁻¹. From infrared spectra taken over a temperature range, the standard enthalpy of formation of the OH···N₂ complex was found to be ΔH⁰ = −15.7(±1) kJ mol⁻¹. Similarly, variable-temperature infrared spectroscopy was used to determine the standard enthalpy change involved in formation of H-bonded CO complexes for CO adsorbed on the zeolites H-ZSM-5 and H-FER; the corresponding values of ΔH⁰ were found to be −29.4(±1) and −28.4(±1) kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. The whole set of results was analysed in the context of other relevant data available in the literature.     

Heat capacity, enthalpy and entropy of strontium niobate Sr2Nb2O7 and calcium niobate Ca2Nb2O7

The heat capacity and the enthalpy increments of strontium niobate Sr₂Nb₂O₇ and calcium niobate Ca₂Nb₂O₇ were measured by the relaxation time method (2–300 K), DSC (260–360 K) and drop calorimetry (720–1370 K). Temperature dependencies of the molar heat capacity in the form C_pm = 248.0 + 0.04350T − 3.948 × 10⁶/T² J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ for Sr₂Nb₂O₇ and C_pm = 257.2 + 0.03621T − 4.434 × 10⁶/T² J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ for Ca₂Nb₂O₇ were derived by the least-square method from the experimental data. The molar entropies at 298.15 K, S_m°(298.15 K) = 238.5 ± 1.3 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ for Sr₂Nb₂O₇ and S_m°(298.15 K) = 212.4 ± 1.2 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ for Ca₂Nb₂O₇, were evaluated from the low-temperature heat capacity measurements.     

Mesoporous silica functionalized with diethylenetriamine moieties for metal removal and thermodynamics of cation–basic center interactions

The inorganic–organic hybrid material was synthesized by co-condensation of tetraethylorthosilicate and the organosilane N-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]diethylenetriamine. Spectroscopic analysis of the hybrid material by FTIR showed bands at 2937 and 2839 cm⁻¹ related to ν(CH); ²⁹Si NMR spectrum gave signals at −108, −99, −68 and −59 ppm, Q⁴, Q³, T⁴ and T² species related to the silica backbone structure. The well-defined peaks obtained in the ¹³C NMR spectrum in the 10–58 ppm region confirmed the attachment of organic functional groups as pendant chains bonded into the porous silica. Particle morphology evaluated by a scanning electron microscopic (SEM) study showed the formation of spherical particles in the nanometer range. The X-ray diffraction pattern showed a peak at a 2θ of 2.3°, demonstrating the mesoporous characteristic of the synthesized material. Adsorption evaluated by batch equilibrium processes gave the maximum adsorption of 2.2 and 2.8 mmol g⁻¹ for copper and nickel, respectively. From these values a stoichiometry of 2:1 for cation/ligand was established, considering the amount of 1.2 mmol of pendant groups per gram of the hybrid material. Thermodynamic parameters related to the adsorption of metal ions, evaluated using the calorimetric titration technique presented a negative Gibbs free energy value, in agreement with the spontaneity of cation removal on the basic center in the mesoporous silica at the solid/liquid interface.     

NMR study of the dynamic behaviour of the system 2-ethylhexylsodium-2-ethylhexyllithium in heptane

Mixtures of 2-ethylhexylsodium and 2-ethylhexyllithium are studied by ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy in the temperature range from 20 to −50°C in hydrocarbon solutions. Characteristic temperature-dependent spectra obtained are indicative of dynamic exchange processes taking place in the system. The following activation parameters are found: ΔH^≠=31.7±2.7 kJ mol⁻¹; ΔG^≠₃₁₃=58.7±0.6 kJ mol⁻¹; ΔS^≠=−86.37±10.8 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹. The negative value of the activation entropy indicates that the exchange proceeds through the associative mechanism. The participation in exchange reactions of aggregates, containing both sodium and lithium derivatives, is suggested.     

Enthalpies of combustion and formation of 2-acetylpyrrole, 2-acetylfuran and 2-acetylthiophene

The combustion energies for 2-acetylpyrrole (cr) and 2-acetylfuran (cr) were determined using a static bomb calorimeter, whereas the combustion energy of 2-acetylthiophene (l) was determined with a rotating bomb calorimeter; both calorimeters have been recently described. The molar combustion energies obtained were: −(3196.1 ± 0.6) kJ mol⁻¹ for 2-acetylpyrrole, −(2933.8 ± 0.7) kJ mol⁻¹ for 2-acetylfuran, and −(3690.4 ± 0.8) kJ mol⁻¹ for 2-acetylthiophene. From these combustion energy values, the standard molar enthalpies of formation in the condensate phase were obtained as: −(163.51 ± 0.97) kJ mol⁻¹, −(283.50 ± 1.06) kJ mol⁻¹ and −(123.93 ± 1.15) kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. The obtained values of combustion and formation enthalpies of 2-acetylthiophene are in concordance with the reported previously. For the two last compounds, polyethene bags were used as an auxiliary material in the combustion experiments. The heat capacities and purities of the compounds were determined using a differential scanning calorimeter.     

Kinetic and thermodynamic analysis of 10-hydroxy-camptothecin hydrolysis at physiological pH

To derive accurately the thermodynamic parameters governing the hydrolysis of the lactone ring at physiological pH, a derivative spectrophotometric technique was used for the simultaneous estimation of lactone and carboxylate forms of the 10-hydroxy-camptothecin (10-HC). Validation of the analytical method was done with respect to reproducibility, percent recovery, and level of detection. Hydrolysis of the lactone ring of 10-HC followed a 1st order decay with a rate constant equal to (0.0281 ± 0.001) min⁻¹ in PBS at pH 7.4 and at a temperature of 310 K. The activation energy for the hydrolysis reaction as calculated from the Arrhenius equation was (79.41 ± 0.92) kJ · mol⁻¹, whereas the enthalpy and entropy of hydrolysis of 10-hydroxy-camptothecin were on average 12.45 kJ · mol⁻¹ and 52.37 J · K⁻¹ · mol⁻¹, respectively. The positive enthalpy and entropy values of the 10-HC-lactone hydrolysis indicate that the reaction is endothermic and entropically driven.     

Calorimetric determination of enthalpy changes for the proton ionization of N-tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl-4-aminobutanesulfonic acid (TABS), N-tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl-3-aminopropanesulfonic acid (TAPS) and 3-[N-tris(hydroxymethyl)methylamino]-2-hyroxypropane sulfonic acid (TAPSO) in water–methanol mixtures

Enthalpies for the two proton ionizations of the biochemical buffers N-tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl-4-aminobutanesulfonic acid (TABS), N-tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl-3-aminopropanesulfonic acid (TAPS) and 3-[N-tris(hydroxymethyl)methylamino]-2-hyroxypropane sulfonic acid (TAPSO) were obtained in water–methanol mixtures with methanol mole fraction (X_m) from 0 to 0.360. The ionization enthalpy for the first proton (ΔH₁) of all three buffers was small and exhibited slight changes upon methanol addition. The ionization enthalpy of the second proton (ΔH₂) of TABS increased from 39.6 to 49.8 kJ mol⁻¹ and for TAPS from 40.1 to 43.2 kJ mol⁻¹, with a minimum of 38.2 kJ mol⁻¹ at X_m = 0.059. For TAPSO the increase was from 33.1 to 35.6 kJ mol⁻¹ at X_m = 0.194, with measurements at higher X_m precluded by low solubility of TAPSO in methanol rich solvents. The solvent composition was selected so as to include the region of maximum structure enhancement of water by methanol. The results were interpreted in terms of solvent–solvent and solvent–solute interactions.     

Modeling of Equilibrium Adsorption and Surface Tension of Cationic Gemini Surfactants

A series of equilibrium tension models are used to evaluate the adsorption behavior of a novel class of lipoaminoacid gemini cationic surfactants, N^α,N^ω-bis(long-chain N^α-acylarginine)α,ω-dialkylamides or bis(Args). For purposes of comparison, the monomer LAM (the methyl ester of N^α-lauroyl arginine) was also examined. These surfactants are of particular interest for both their low toxicity and biocompatibility. The tension models are based on the Gibbs adsorption isotherm and classified as “ionic” when the surface charge and the electric double layer are accounted for or as “pseudo-nonionic” when the surface charge is ignored. Both model predictions and fitted parameter values are evaluated with respect to physical plausibility and overall goodness of fit to the available tension and density data. In particular, the inferred values for the standard Gibbs free energy of adsorption ΔG°, determined from an equilibrium constant defined on a nondimensional basis, without including artifacts due to an electrostatic contribution, are analyzed. The most reliable values of ΔG° are found with the combined model to range from −110 to −120 kJ mol⁻¹ for the three dimers examined and −80 kJ mol⁻¹ for the monomer. For spacer chain lengths n=3, 6, or 9, the maximum surface area of surfactant adsorption and the maximum free energy of adsorption are observed for the surfactant with the spacer chain length of 6.     

CO electrooxidation on a polycrystalline Pt electrode: A wall-jet EQCN study

Pre-adsorbed and bulk (continuous) CO oxidation on a polycrystalline Pt electrode were examined in a wall-jet electrochemical quartz crystal nanobalance (EQCN) setup, using both differential and integral evaluation of the EQCN data, to get further insights into the kinetics and mechanism of this important fuel-cell related electrocatalytic reaction. The hydrogen underpotential adsorption–desorption features in the base cyclic voltammogram of a Pt film are accompanied by significant changes in the electrode mass due H-upd induced desorption–adsorption of anion. In the double-layer region small capacitive currents are accompanied by comparatively large reversible mass changes indicating anion adsorption/desorption (96.5 g mol⁻¹ assigned to bisulfate). OH and oxygen electrosorption from water at potentials more positive of 1.0 V result in relatively small variations in the electrode mass (16 g mol⁻¹ for PtOH and ca. 9 g mol⁻¹ for PtO formation, respectively). The CO-adlayer stripping first leads to the electrode mass decrease in the “pre-peak” region, followed by a fast mass increase within the main stripping peak due to re-adsorption of bisulfate anion (91 g mol⁻¹). A mass-transport limited current for bulk CO oxidation under continuous flow of CO-saturated electrolyte leads to negligible mass changes (0–1 g mol⁻¹) in the PtO region, suggesting that bulk CO oxidation is mediated by electroformed PtO.     

A Kinetic and Mechanistic Study on Substitution of Aqua Ligands from <Emphasis Type="Italic">cis</Emphasis>-diaqua-<Emphasis Type="Italic">bis</Emphasis>-(bipyridyl)-ruthenium(II) Complex by Thiosemicarbazide in Aqueous Medium

The kinetics of the interaction of thiosemicarbazide with cis-[Ru(bipy)₂(H₂O)₂]²⁺ (bipy = α α′-bipyridyl) have been studied spectrophotometrically as a function of [Ru(bipy)₂(H₂O)₂²⁺], [bipyridyl] and temperature, at a particular pH (4.8), where the substrate complex exists predominantly as the diaqua species and thiosemicarbazide as the neutral ligand. The reaction proceeds via an outer sphere association complex formation, followed by two slow consecutive steps. The first is the conversion of the aforementioned complex into the inner sphere complex, and the second step involves the entrance of another thiosemicarbazide molecule in the coordination zone of Ru(II) whereby, in each step, an aqua ligand is replaced. The association equilibrium constant (K_E) for the outer sphere complex formation has been evaluated together with rate constants for the two subsequent steps. Activation parameters have been calculated for both steps using the Eyring equation (ΔH₁^# = 25.37±1.6 kJ mol⁻¹, ΔS₁^# = −215.48 ± 4.5 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, ΔH₂^# = 24.24 ± 1.1 kJ mol⁻¹, ΔS₂^# = −207.14 ± 3.0 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹). The low enthalpy of activation and large negative value of entropy of activation indicate an associative mode of activation for both aqua ligand substitution processes. From the temperature dependence of K_E, the thermodynamic parameters calculated are: ΔH⁰ = 10.75±0.54 kJ mol⁻¹ and ΔS⁰ = 84.67 ± 1.75 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, which give a negative ΔG⁰ value at all temperatures studied, supporting the spontaneous formation of an outersphere association complex prior to the first step.     

Intramolecular Dynamics and Molecular Structure of Europium(III) Chelate Complexes with Crown Ethers as Studied by NMR Spectroscopy

Earlier the intramolecular inversion of the 18-crown-6 molecules was found in the complex ion pairs [Ln(ptfa)₂ (18-crown-6)]⁺ [Ln(ptfa)₄]⁻ (H₂O)₄ where Ln = La(1), Ce (2), Pr (3), Nd (4), and ptfa is 1,1,1-trifluoro-5,5-dimethyl-2,4-hexanedione. In this work the peculiarities of the molecular structure and dynamics were studied for [Eu(ptfa)₂ (18-crown-6)]⁺ [Eu(ptfa)₄]⁻ (H₂O)₄ (5) by NMR spectroscopy techniques. Through VT-NMR spectra analysis the temperature dependence was obtained for the rate constant. The free energy ΔG^‡(320) of 18-crown-6 ring inversion activation was found to be 65 ± 5 kJ mol⁻¹ for 5 in CDCl₃. This result is comparable with the earlier data [S.P. Babailov and D.A. Mainichev: J. Inclusion Phenom. Macrocyclic Chem. 43, 187–193 (2002)] for complexes 2, 3, 4 in deuterated toluene (ΔG^‡(320)=65 ± 9, 64 ± 9, 64 ± 9 kJ mol⁻¹ respectively). It was found by relaxation NMR spectroscopy that the effective distance between Ln and protons of the crown molecule is 4.5 ± 0.2 Å. The analysis of structural parameters testifies that the crown ether and chelated anions are in the first coordination sphere of a Ln cation. Obtained geometrical parameters show that the complex cations of Eu, Ce and Pr have similar spatial structures.