The solvent extraction of alkali metal picrates with 4,13-N,N'-dibenzyl-4,13-diaza-18-crown-6

Extraction of alkali metal picrates with N,N'-dibenzyl-18-crown-6 was carried out, with dichloromethane as water-immiscible solvent, as a function [ligand]/[metal cation]. The extractability of metal picrates (Li(+), Na(+), K(+), Rb(+), Cs(+)) was evaluated as a function of [L]/[M(+)]. The extractability of complex cation-picrate ion pairs decreases in this sequence: Li(+)>Rb(+)>Cs(+)>K(+)>Na(+). The overall extraction equilibrium constants (K(ex)) for complexes of N,N'-dibenzyl-18-crown-6 with alkali metal picrates between dichloromethane and water have been determined at 25 degrees C. The values of the extraction constants (logK(ex)) were determined to be 10.05, 6.83, 7.12, 7.83, 6.73 for Li(+), Na(+), K(+), Rb(+) and Cs(+) compounds, respectively. DB186 shows almost 2-fold extractability against Li(+) compared to the other metal picrates, whereas it shows no obvious extractability difference amongst the other metal cations when [L]/[M(+)] is 0.2-1. However, an increasing extractability is observed for Cs(+) when [L]/[M(+)] [1].     

Extraction mechanism of monovalent ion-pairs by polyurethane foams

The extractability sequence of K(+) approximately Rb(+) > Cs(+) > Na(+) > Li(+) for the extraction with polyether foam suggests that the cation chelation mechanism might be operative. However, the same order was obtained for the extraction with 100% polypropylene oxide polyether foam which does not normally adopt a helical structure to form oxygen-rich cavities as easily or as effectively as polyethylene oxide to accommodate alkali metal ions. This result indicates that a hole-size/cation-diameter relationship may not be required for the high extraction of K(+). The extraction of alkali metal DPAs and hydroxides from methanol demonstrates the importance of the solvent effect. It indicates that the water-structure enforced ion-pairing (WSEIP) is the driving force for extraction of the ion-pairs. The extraction mechanism for ionic species can be described as an ion-pair extraction process. The overall effect of ion-pair formation in water and interaction of the extracted ions with foam appears to determine the extractability of the ions of the extractable ion-pair.     

A novel potassium ion membrane sensor based on rifamycin neutral ionophore

A novel potentiometric membrane sensor for potassium ion based on the use of rifamycin as a neutral ionophore is described. The sensing membrane is formulated with 2 wt.% rifamycin-SV, 69 wt.% dibutylsebacate plasticizer and 29 wt.% PVC. Linear and stable potential response with near-Nernstian slope of 56.7 +/- 0.2 mV decade(-1) are obtained over the concentration range 1 x 10(-1)-3 x 10(-5) M K(+). The detection limit is 0.3 microg ml(-1) K(+), the response time is 10-30 s and the working pH range is 4-11. Responses of the sensor toward alkali and alkaline earth metal ions are in the order K(+) > Rb(+) > Cs(+) > Na(+) > NH(4)(+) > Ba(2+) > Mg(2+) > Ca(2+) > Sr(2+) > Li(+). The selectivity coefficient data reveal negligible interference from transition metal ions. Direct potentiometric determination of K(+) in the presence of 10-50-fold excess of alkali and alkaline earth metals gives results with an average recovery of 99.1%, and a mean standard deviation of 1.2%. The data agree fairly well with those obtained by flame photometry.     

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.     

Relative binding affinities of alkali metal cations to

The binding affinity and selectivity of a new ionophore, [1(8)]starand (1), toward alkali metal cations in methanol were examined through NMR titration experiments and free energy perturbation (FEP) and molecular dynamics simulations. The preference was determined to be K(+) > Rb(+) > Cs(+) > Na(+) > Li(+) in both FEP simulations and NMR experiments. The FEP simulation results were able to predict the relative binding free energies with errors less than 0.13 kcal/mol, except for the case between Li(+) and Na(+). The cation selectivity was rationalized by analyzing the radial distribution functions of the M-O and M-C distances of free metal cations in methanol and those of metal-ionophore complexes in methanol.     

UV and IR spectroscopy of cold 1,2-dimethoxybenzene complexes with alkali metal ions

We report UV photodissociation (UVPD) and IR-UV double-resonance spectra of 1,2-dimethoxybenzene (DMB) complexes with alkali metal ions, M(+)·DMB (M = Li, Na, K, Rb, and Cs), in a cold, 22-pole ion trap. The UVPD spectrum of the Li(+) complex shows a strong origin band. For the K(+)·DMB, Rb(+)·DMB, and Cs(+)·DMB complexes, the origin band is very weak and low-frequency progressions are much more extensive than that of the Li(+) ion. In the case of the Na(+)·DMB complex, spectral features are similar to those of the K(+), Rb(+), and Cs(+) complexes, but vibronic bands are not resolved. Geometry optimization with density functional theory indicates that the metal ions are bonded to the oxygen atoms in all the M(+)·DMB complexes. For the Li(+) complex in the S(0) state, the Li(+) ion is located in the same plane as the benzene ring, while the Na(+), K(+), Rb(+), and Cs(+) ions are located off the plane. In the S(1) state, the Li(+) complex has a structure similar to that in the S(0) state, providing the strong origin band in the UV spectrum. In contrast, the other complexes show a large structural change in the out-of-plane direction upon S(1)-S(0) excitation, which results in the extensive low-frequency progressions in the UVPD spectra. For the Na(+)·DMB complex, fast charge transfer occurs from Na(+) to DMB after the UV excitation, making the bandwidth of the UVPD spectrum much broader than that of the other complexes and producing the photofragment DMB(+) ion.     

Lithium ion induced stabilization of the liquid crystalline DNA

A comparative study of the effects of alkali metal ions Li(+), Na(+), K(+), Rb(+), and Cs(+) on the liquid crystalline organization of high-molecular-weight calf thymus DNA using polarized light microscopy was performed. Major differences in the behavior of Li(+) as compared to the other ions were found. Critical DNA concentration expected to exhibit anisotropic behavior was found to be the same for all the monovalent ions, except for Li(+). DNA initially showed cholesteric textures, which later changed to higher ordered columnar phase for all ions, with the cholesteric-columnar transition facilitated upon increasing the size of the counterion. For Li(+) ion, a nematic schlieren-like texture was formed initially, which after a few days changed to a highly stable (for more than 2 months) biphasic cholesteric-columnar arrangement. The observed differences between Li(+) and other alkali metal ions could be rationalized on the basis of the higher number of hydration water molecules of Li(+) and its complexation behavior. Highly stable DNA mesophases may find applications in the field of nanoelectronics, in designing biosensing units, and in DNA chips.     

Alkali metal ion binding to amino acids versus their methyl esters: affinity trends and structural changes in the gas phase

The relative alkali metal ion (M(+)) affinities (binding energies) between seventeen different amino acids (AA) and the corresponding methyl esters (AAOMe) were determined in the gas phase by the kinetic method based on the dissociation of AA-M(+)-AAOMe heterodimers (M=Li, Na, K, Cs). With the exception of proline, the Li(+), Na(+), and K(+) affinities of the other aliphatic amino acids increase in the order AAAAOMe is already observed for K(+). Proline binds more strongly than its methyl ester to all M(+) except Li(+). Ab initio calculations on the M(+) complexes of alanine, beta-aminoisobutyric acid, proline, glycine methyl ester, alanine methyl ester, and proline methyl ester show that their energetically most favorable complexes result from charge solvation, except for proline which forms salt bridges. The most stable mode of charge solvation depends on the ligand (AA or AAOMe) and, for AA, it gradually changes with metal ion size. Esters chelate all M(+) ions through the amine and carbonyl groups. Amino acids coordinate Li(+) and Na(+) ions through the amine and carbonyl groups as well, but K(+) and Cs(+) ions are coordinated by the O atoms of the carboxyl group. Upon consideration of these differences in favored binding geometries, the theoretically derived relative M(+) affinities between aliphatic AA and AAOMe are in good overall agreement with the above given experimental trends. The majority of side chain functionalized amino acids studied show experimentally the affinity order AAAAOMe. The latter ranking is attributed to salt bridge formation.     

碱金属离子对甘氨酸五肽气相解离过程的影响

为了获得更多的多肽结构信息,采用结构简单的甘氨酸五肽(简写为GGGGG或G5)作为模型,研究了碱金属离子(Li+、Na+、K+、Rb+)对甘氨酸五肽GGGGG气相解离过程的影响.将一定化学计量比的甘氨酸五肽分别和四种碱金属盐溶液混合后,静置10h,使反应达到平衡.电喷雾质谱结果表明,四种碱金属离子均可以在溶液中与甘氨酸五肽形成非共价复合物,其中主要组分为碱金属离子与G5配合比为1:1和2:1的非共价复合物.质谱碰撞诱导解离(CID)时的碰撞能量为25eV.气相碰撞诱导解离实验结果表明,在配合比为1:1的复合物中,其碎片化程度按照Li+、Na+、K+、Rb+的次序依次减小,Rb+的复合物碎裂过程中生成了不常见的c、z离子;在配合比为2:1的复合物中,其碎片化程度按照Li+、Na+、K+、Rb+的次序依次增大.与1:1的非共价复合物相比,Na+、K+、Rb+的2:1复合物的气相解离显得更加容易.除Li+外,两个碱金属离子对G5的活化能力明显较单个碱金属离子强,它们可以诱导多肽在更多位点断裂,生成更多类型的碎片离子.     

Theoretical and gas-phase studies of specific cationized purine base quartet

Guanine tetraplexes are biological non-covalent systems stabilized by alkali cations. Thus, self-clustering of guanine, xanthine and hypoxanthine with alkali cations (Na(+), K(+) and Li(+)) is investigated by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) in order to provide new insights into G-quartets, hydrogen-bonded complexes. ESI assays displayed magic numbers of tetramer adducts with Na(+), Li(+) and K(+), not only for guanine, but also for xanthine bases. The optimized structures of guanine and xanthine quartets have been determined by B3LYP hybrid density functional theory calculations. Complexes of metal ions with quartets are classified into different structure types. The optimized structures obtained for each quartet explain the gas-phase results. The gas-phase binding sequence between the monovalent cations and the xanthine quartet follows the order Li(+) > Na(+) > K(+), which is consistent with that obtained for the guanine quartet in the literature. The smallest stabilization energy of K(+) and its position versus the other alkali metal ions in guanine and xanthine quartets is consistent with the fact that the potassium cation can be located between two guanine or xanthine quartets, for providing a [gua(or (xan))(8)+K](+) octamer adduct. Even if an abundant octamer adduct with K(+) for xanthine was detected by ESI-MS, it was not the case for guanine.     

Extraction of sodium and potassium perchlorates with benzo-18-crown-6 into various organic solvents. Quantitative elucidation of anion effects on the extraction-ability and -selectivity for Na(+) and K(+)

To investigate quantitatively the anion effect on the extraction-ability and -selectivity of benzo-18-crown-6 (B18C6) for alkali metal ions, the constants for overall extraction into various diluents having low dielectric constants (K(ex)) and aqueous ion-pair formation (K(MLA)) of B18C6-sodium and potassium perchlorate 1:1:1 complexes (MLA) were determined at 25 degrees C. The K(ex) value was analyzed by the four fundamental equilibrium constants. The K(MLA) values were determined by applying our established method to this perchlorate extraction system. The K(M(B18C6)A) value of the perchlorate is much larger for K(+) than for Na(+), and is much smaller than that of the picrate. The K(M(B18C6)A) value makes a minor contribution to the magnitude of K(ex) for the perchlorate system, but a major contribution to that for the picrate one. The distribution behavior of the B18C6 1:1:1 complexes with the alkali metal perchlorates follows the regular solution theory. For the diluent with a high dipole moment, however, the 1:1:1 complexes somewhat undergo the dipole-dipole interaction. B18C6 always shows very high extraction selectivity for KClO(4) over NaClO(4), which is determined mostly by the much greater log/(log K(MLA)) value for K(+) than for Na(+). The extraction-ability and -selectivity of B18C6 for Na(+) and K(+) ions with a perchlorate ion were compared with those with a picrate ion in terms of the fundamental equilibrium constants. The K(+) extraction-selectivity of B18C6 over Na(+) for the perchlorate system is superior to that for the picrate one, which is caused largely by the greater log/(log K(K(B18C6)A))-log/(log K(Na(B18C6)A)) value for the perchlorate than for the picrate. The perchlorate system is recommended for extraction separation of K(+) from Na(+).     

Study of ion specific interactions of alkali cations with dicarboxylate dianions

Alkali metal cations often show pronounced ion-specific interactions and selectivity with macromolecules in biological processes, colloids, and interfacial sciences, but a fundamental understanding about the underlying microscopic mechanism is still very limited. Here we report a direct probe of interactions between alkali metal cations (M(+)) and dicarboxylate dianions, (-)O(2)C(CH(2))(n)CO(2)(-) (D(n)(2-)) in the gas phase by combined photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) and ab initio electronic structure calculations on nine M(+)-D(n)(2-) complexes (M = Li, Na, K; n = 2, 4, 6). PES spectra show that the electron binding energy (EBE) decreases from Li(+) to Na(+) to K(+) for complexes of M(+)-D(2)(2-), whereas the order is Li(+) < Na(+) ≈ K(+) when M(+) interacts with a more flexible D(6)(2-) dianion. Theoretical modeling suggests that M(+) prefers to interact with both ends of the carboxylate -COO(-) groups by bending the flexible aliphatic backbone, and the local binding environments are found to depend upon backbone length n, carboxylate orientation, and the specific cation M(+). The observed variance of EBEs reflects how well each specific dicarboxylate dianion accommodates each M(+). This work demonstrates the delicate interplay among several factors (electrostatic interaction, size matching, and strain energy) that play critical roles in determining the structures and energetics of gaseous clusters as well as ion specificity and selectivity in solutions and biological systems.     

Electrostatic, steric, and hydration interactions favor Na(+) condensation around DNA compared with K(+)

Condensation of monovalent counterions around DNA influences polymer properties of the DNA chain. For example, the Na(+) ions show markedly stronger propensity to induce multiple DNA chains to assemble into compact structures compared with the K(+) ions. To investigate the similarities and differences in the sodium and potassium ion condensation around DNA, we carried out a number of extensive all-atom molecular dynamics simulations of a DNA oligomer consisting of 16 base pairs, [d(CGAGGTTTAAACCTCG)](2), in explicit water. We found that the Na(+) ions penetrate the DNA interior and condense around the DNA exterior to a significantly larger degree compared with the K(+) ions. We have provided a microscopic explanation for the larger Na(+) affinity toward DNA that is based on a combination of steric, electrostatic, and hydration effects. Unexpectedly, we found that the Cl(-) co-ions provide more efficient electrostatic screening for the K(+) ions than for the Na(+) ions, contributing to the larger Na(+) condensation around DNA. To examine the importance of the discrete nature of water and ions, we also computed the counterion distributions from the mean-field electrostatic theory, demonstrating significant disagreements with the all-atom simulations. Prior experimental results on the relative extent of the Na(+) and K(+) condensation around DNA were somewhat contradictory. Recent DNA compaction experiments may be interpreted to suggest stronger Na(+) condensation around DNA compared to K(+), which is consistent with our simulations. We also provide a simple interpretation for the experimentally observed increase in DNA electrophoretic mobility in the alkali metal series, Li(+) < Na(+) < K(+) < Rb(+). We compare the DNA segment conformational preferences in various buffers with the proposed NMR models.     

A solid-state 23Na NMR study of monovalent cation binding to double-stranded DNA at low relative humidity

We report a solid-state (23)Na NMR study of monovalent cation (Li(+), Na(+), K(+), Rb(+), Cs(+) and NH(4) (+)) binding to double-stranded calf thymus DNA (CT DNA) at low relative humidity, ca 0-10%. Results from (23)Na--(31)P rotational echo double resonance (REDOR) NMR experiments firmly establish that, at low relative humidity, monovalent cations are directly bound to the phosphate group of CT DNA and are partially dehydrated. On the basis of solid-state (23)Na NMR titration experiments, we obtain quantitative thermodynamic parameters concerning the cation-binding affinity for the phosphate group of CT DNA. The free energy difference (DeltaG degrees ) between M(+) and Na(+) ions is as follows: Li(+) (-1.0 kcal mol(-1)), K(+) (7.2 kcal mol(-1)), NH(4) (+) (1.0 kcal mol(-1)), Rb(+) (4.5 kcal mol(-1)) and Cs(+) (1.5 kcal mol(-1)). These results suggest that, at low relative humidity, the binding affinity of monovalent cations for the phosphate group of CT DNA follows the order: Li(+) > Na(+) > NH(4) (+) > Cs(+) > Rb(+) > K(+). This sequence is drastically different from that observed for CT DNA in solution. This discrepancy is attributed to the different modes of cation binding in dry and wet states of DNA. In the wet state of DNA, cations are fully hydrated. Our results suggest that the free energy balance between direct cation-phosphate contact and dehydration interactions is important. The reported experimental results on relative ion-binding affinity for the DNA backbone may be used for testing theoretical treatment of cation-phosphate interactions in DNA.     

Extraction equilibria of various metal picrates with 19-crown-6 between benzene and water. Effect of the extra methylene group on extraction ability and selectivity

The overall extraction equilibrium constants (K(ex)) of picrates of Li(+), Na(+), K(+), Rb(+), Cs(+), Ag(+), Tl(+), and Sr(2+)with 19-crown-6 (19C6) were determined between benzene and water at 25 degrees C. The K(ex) values were analyzed into the constituent equilibrium constants, i.e. the extraction constant of picric acid, the distribution constant of the crown ether, the formation constant of the metal ion-crown ether complex in water, and the ion-pair extraction constant of the complex cation with the picrate anion. The effects of an extra methylene group of 19C6 on the extraction ability and selectivity are discussed in detail by comparing the constituent equilibrium constants of 19C6 with those of 18-crown-6 (18C6). The K(ex) value of 19C6 for each metal ion is lower than that of 18C6, which is mostly attributed to the higher lipophilicity of 19C6. The extraction ability of 19C6 for the univalent metal ions decreases in the order Tl(+)>K(+)>Rb(+)>Ag(+)>Cs(+)>Na(+)Li(+), which is the same as that observed for 18C6. The difference in logK(ex) between the univalent metals is generally smaller for 19C6 than for 18C6. The extraction selectivity of 19C6 is governed by the selectivity in the ion-pair extraction, whereas that of 18C6 depends on both the selectivities in the ion-pair extraction and in the complexation in water.     

Conductance Study of 1 : 1 19-Crown-6 Complexes with Various Mono- and Bivalent Metal Ions in Water

Formation constants (ML) of 1 : 1 19-crown-6 (19C6) complexes with mono- (M+) and bivalent metal ions (M2+) were determined in water at 25 °C by conductometry. The KML value of 19C6 for M+ and M2+ decreases in the order Rb+ K+ > Tl+ > Na+ = Ag+ > Li+ Cs+ and Pb2+ > Ba2+ > Sr2+ > Cd2+ > Ca2+, respectively. The selectivity for the neighboring alkali metal ions in the periodic table is lower for 19C6 than for 18-crown-6 (18C6) except for the case of Rb+ and Cs+. The same is true for the alkaline earth metal ions. Generally, the KML values of 19C6 with M2+ are greater than those with M+. For Na+ and the ions which are smaller in size than Na+ (Li+, Ca2+, Cd2+), the KML value is larger for 19C6 than for 18C6, but the contrary holds for all the other ions of larger sizes than Na+. The limiting ionic molar conductivity (°) of the 19C6–K+ complex in water at 25 °C was determined to be 43. Although 19C6 is larger than 18C6, the 19C6–K+ complex is much more mobile in water than the 18C6–K+ complex.     

Selectivity of bis(calix[4]diquinone) ionophores towards metal ions in solvent dimethylsulfoxide: a molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics study

Molecular modelling studies have been carried out on two bis(calix[4]diquinone) ionophores, each created from two (calix[4]diquinone)arenes bridged at their bottom rims via alkyl chains (CH(2))(n), 1: n = 3, 2; n = 4, in order to understand the reported selectivity of these ligands towards different sized metal ions such as Na(+), K(+), Rb(+), and Cs(+) in dmso solution. Conformational analyses have been carried out which show that in the lowest energy conformations of the two macrocycles, the individual calix[4]diquinones exhibit a combination of partial cone, 1,3-alternate and cone conformations. The interactions of these alkali metals with the macrocycles have been studied in the gas phase and in a periodic box of solvent dmso by molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics calculations. Molecular mechanics calculations have been carried out on the mode of entry of the ions into the macrocycles and suggest that this is likely to occur from the side of the central cavity, rather than through the main axis of the calix[4]diquinones. There are energy barriers of ca. 19 kcal mol(-1) for this entry path in the gas phase, but in solution no energy barrier is found. Molecular dynamics simulations show that in both 1 and 2, though particularly in the latter macrocycle, one or two solvent molecules are bonded to the metal throughout the course of the simulation, often to the exclusion of one or more of the ether oxygen atoms. By contrast the carbonyl oxygen atoms remain bonded to the metal atoms throughout with bond lengths that remain significantly less than those to the ether oxygen atoms. Free energy perturbation studies have been carried out in dmso and indicate that for 1, the selectivity follows the order Rb(+) approximately K(+) > Cs(+) > Na(+), which is partially in agreement with the experimental results. The energy differences are small and indeed the ratio between stability constants found for Cs(+) and K(+) complexes is only 0.60, showing that has only a slight preference for K(+). For the larger receptor , which is better suited to metal complexation, the binding affinity follows the pattern Cs(+) > Rb(+) > K(+) > Na(+), with energy differences of 5.75, 2.61, 2.78 kcal mol(-1) which is perfectly consistent with experimental results.     

Factors governing the metal coordination number in isolated group IA and IIA metal hydrates

Many of the group IA and IIA metal ions, such as Na+, K+, Mg2+, and Ca2+, play crucial roles in biological functions. Previous theoretical studies generally focus on the number of water molecules bound to a particular (as opposed to all) alkali or alkaline earth cations and could not establish a single preferred CN for the heavier alkali and alkaline earth ion-water complexes. Crystal structures of hydrated Na+, K+, and Rb+ also cannot establish the preferred number of inner-shell water molecules bound to these cations. Consequently, it is unclear if the gas-phase CNs of group IA metal hydrates increase with increasing ion size, as observed for the group IIA series from the Cambridge Structural Database, and if the same factors govern the gas-phase CNs of both group IA and IIA ion-water complexes. Thus, in this work, we determine the number of water molecules directly bound to the series of alkali (Li+, Na+, K+, and Rb+) and alkaline earth (Be2+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Sr2+, and Ba2+) metal ions in the gas phase by computing the free energy for forming an isolated metal-aqua complex as a function of the number of water molecules at 298 K. The preferred gas-phase CNs of group IA hydrates appear insensitive to the ion size; they are all 4, except for Rb+, where a CN of 6 seems as likely. In contrast, the preferred gas-phase CNs of the group IIA dications increase with increasing ion size; they are 4 for Be2+, 6 for Mg2+ and Ca2+, and 7 for Sr2+ and Ba2+. An entropic penalty disfavors a gas-phase CN greater than 4 for group IA hydrates, but it does not dictate the gas-phase CNs of group IIA hydrates. Instead, interactions between the metal ion and first-shell water molecules and between first-shell and second-shell water molecules govern the preferred gas-phase CNs of the group IIA metal hydrates.     

Extraction of sodium and potassium picrates with 15-(2,5-dioxahexyl)-15-methyl-16-crown-5 (lariat 16C5) into various organic solvents. Elucidation of fundamental equilibria which determine the extraction ability for Na(+) and K(+) and the selectivity

To quantitatively elucidate the effects of the side chains and diluents on the extraction selectivity for sodium and potassium picrates of 15-(2,5-dioxahexyl)-15-methyl-16-crown-5 (L16C5) from the viewpoint of equilibrium, the constants for the overall extraction (K(ex)), the partition for various diluents of low dielectric constants (K(D,MLA)), and the aqueous ion-pair formation (K(MLA)) of L16C5-sodium and -potassium picrate 1:1:1 complexes were determined at 25 degrees C; the distribution constants of L16C5 were also measured at 25 degrees C. The log K(MLA) values for Na(+) and K(+) are 2.74+/-0.29 and 1.70+/-0.36, respectively. In going from 16-crown-5 (16C5) to L16C5, the side chains decrease the K(MLA) value, but do not increase the difference in K(MLA) between Na(+) and K(+). The distribution behavior of L16C5 and its 1:1:1 complexes with the alkali metal picrates closely obeys regular solution theory, except for chloroform. Molar volumes and solubility parameters of L16C5 and the 1:1:1 complexes were determined. The magnitude of K(ex) is mainly governed by the K(M(L16C5)A) value. For every diluent, L16C5 shows Na(+) extraction selectivity over K(+). The Na(+) extraction selectivity of L16C5 is determined completely by K(M(L16C5)A). The extraction ability and selectivity for sodium and potassium picrates by L16C5 are compared with those of 16C5 on the basis of the fundamental equilibrium constants.     

A joint experimental and theoretical study of cation-pi interactions: multiple-decker sandwich complexes of ferrocene with alkali metal ions (Li+, Na+, K+, Rb+, Cs+)

A systematic study of cation-pi interactions between alkali metal ions and the cyclopentadienyl ring of ferrocene is presented. The alkali metal (Li+, Na+, K+, Rb+, Cs+) salts of the ditopic mono(pyrazol-1-yl)borate ligand [1,1'-fc(BMe2pz)2]2- crystallize from dimethoxyethane as multiple-decker sandwich complexes with the M+ ions bound to the pi faces of the ferrocene cyclopentadienyl rings in an eta5 manner (fc = (C5H4)2Fe; pz = pyrazolyl). X-ray crystallography of the lithium complex reveals discrete trimetallic entities with each lithium ion being coordinated by only one cyclopentadienyl ring. The sodium salt forms polyanionic zigzag chains where each Na+ ion bridges the cyclopentadienyl rings of two ferrocene moieties. Linear columns [-CpR-Fe-CpR-M+-CpR-Fe-CpR-M+-](infinity) (R = [-BMe2pz]-) are established by the K+, Rb+, and Cs+ derivatives in the solid state. According to DFT calculations, the binding enthalpies of M+-eta5(ferrocene) model complexes are about 20% higher as compared to the corresponding M+-eta6(benzene) aggregates when M+ = Li+ or Na+. For K+ and Rb+, the degree of cation-pi interaction with both aromatics is about the same. The binding sequence along the M+-eta5(ferrocene) series follows a classical electrostatic trend with the smaller ions being more tightly bound.