DFT Study for a Series of Less-Symmetrical Crown Ethers and Their Complexes with Alkali Metal Cations

A series of ring‐contracted (14‐crown‐5, 17‐crown‐6) and ring‐enlarged (16‐crown‐5, 17‐crown‐5, 19‐crown‐6, 20‐crown‐6) crown ethers and their complexes with alkali‐metal cations Na⁺ and K⁺ had been explored using density functional theory (DFT) at B3LYP/6‐31G* level in order to reveal the effects of the methylene‐chain length in a crown ether. The nucleophilicity of all crown ethers had been investigated by the Fukui functions. The quantum chemistry parameters, such as the energy gap (ΔE), the highest occupied molecular orbital energy (E_HOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy (E_LUMO) for less‐symmetrical crown ethers and symmetrical frameworks (15‐crown‐5, 18‐crown‐6) had been calculated. In addition, the thermodynamic energies of complexation reactions had also been studied. The results of the DFT calculations show that the methylene‐chain length plays an important role in determining the structure characters of the crown ethers and also strongly influences the properties of the ethers. Some of the calculated results are in a good agreement with the experimental values.     

Short and Efficient Synthesis of Thiol Group Functionalized Crown Ethers

A synthesis of thiol group functionalized crown ethers is reported. The reaction is accomplished by the direct chlorosulfonation of simple crown ethers with chlorosulfonic acid and the reduction of the sulfonyl chloride moiety with LiAlH₄ in two steps. This new process is simple to operate, and it generates high‐purity mercaptobenzocrowns with excellent yields.     

Complexes of crown ethers with perfluorocarboxylic acids and their thermal decarboxylation

Crown ethers form strong proton-acceptor complexes with CF₃COOH or C₄F₉COOH that undergo thermal decarboxylation at 200–260 °C which results in 60–80% of CF₃H or C₄F₉H (including up to 20 % of a mixture of C₄F₈). Critical parameters of the process were determined in relation to the temperature and amount of crown ether. The relative activities of different crown ethers in decarboxylation were also established. A scheme is proposed that explains the effect of the structure of crown ethers on this reaction. The data obtained substantiate the view that the topological correspondence concept is insufficient to explain the ability of crown ethers to form complexes with cations.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 6, pp. 1098–1101, June, 1993.     

Synthesis of Diazadi(and tri)thiacrown Ethers Containing Two 5-Substituent(or 2-methyl)-8-hydroxyquinoline Side Arms

Abstract

Sixteen new diazadi(or tri)thiacrown ethers containing two 5-substituent(or 2-methyl)-8-hydroxyquino-lin-2-ylmethyl side arms have been prepared by a three-step process. First, the appropriate bis(α-chloroamide)s were treated with five dimercaptans in base to form macrocyclic di(or tri)thiadiamides. The macrocyclic diamides were reduced by BH₃-THF to form 1,7-diaza-4-oxa-10,13-dithia-cyclopentadecane (11); 1,7-diaza-4,13-dioxa-10,16-dithiacyclooctadecane (12); 1,7-diaza-4-oxa-10,13,16-trithiacyclooctadecane (13); 1,7-diaza-4,13,16-trioxa-10,19-dithiacycloheneicosane (14); and 1,10-diaza-4,7-dioxa-13,16-dithiacyclooctadecane (15). The diazadi(or tri)thiacrown ethers were then treated with 8-hydroxyquinoline, 8-hydroxy-5-methylquinoline, 5-chloro-8-hydroxyquinoline, and 8-hydroxyquinaldine in the presence of paraformal-delyde in refluxing benzene to form the bis(8-hydroxy-5-substituent(or 2-methyl)quinolin-7-ymethy)-substituted diazadi(or tri)thiacrown ethers 16-31. The crown ethers containing two 8-hydroxyquinoline or 8-hydroxyquinaldine side arms proved to be mixtures of about 90% bis(8-hydroxyquinolin-7-ylmethyl)-substituted crown ethers; 9% mixed (8-hydroxyquinolin-7-ymethyl)-substituted and (8-hydroxyquinolin-5-ylmethyl)-substituted crown ethers; and 1% bis(8-hydroxyquinolin-5-ylmethyl)-substituted crown ethers.     

Comparative photophysical behaviour of naphthalene-linked crown ethers and aza crown ethers of varying cavity dimensions

A comparative time-resolved emission studies of several naphtho-crown ethers I–V, where metal ions can be complexed in a predetermined orientation with respect to the naphthalene (Naph) π-plane and naphthalene-linked aza crown ethers (L1 and L2) have been presented. In both the systems, crown ethers and aza crown ethers, naphthalene fluorescence gets quenched. In the systems I to V, the quenching is mainly due to efficient spin-orbit coupling (SOC) leading to greater population of the lowest triplet state of naphthalene. This SOC depends on the orientation of the crown ring with respect to the Naph-π-plane. However, in the systems L1 and L2, the quenching is due to photoinduced electron transfer (PET) from nitrogen lone pair of the aza crown ring to naphthalene moiety and consequent exciplex formation. The results have been interpreted using the time-resolved emission studies of all the compounds in various solvents, their alkali metal ion complexes, and protonated ligands.     

Structure of Dibenzocrown Ethers and their H-Bonded Adducts.1. [1.5]Dibenzo-18-Crown-6 and Biphenyl-20-Crown-6: Complexes with Amidosulfuric Acid

The interaction of the amidosulfuric acid NH ₃ SO ₃ with 15 distal and proximal dibenzocrown ethers, including diphenyloxide, diphenylsulfide and biphenyl ones leads to the stable (1:1) complexes only in the case of [2.4]- and [1.5]dibenzo-18-crown-6 and biphenyl-20-crown-6. According to the data of the X-ray analysis, in the two last adducts the amidosulfuric acid coordinates to hexadentate crown ethers in a zwitterion form through a near-ideal ‘tripod’ arrangement to alternate crown oxygen atoms. The conformations of crown molecules are different in complexes and in initial macrocyclic ligands.This revised version was published online in July 2005 with a corrected issue number.     

Inclusion compounds: The products of the interaction of silicon,germanium and boron fluorides with crown ethers

This review deals with the problem of the interaction of Si(IV), Ge(IV) and B(III) fluorides with crown ethers and their aza analogues. The crystallographic structures have been determined of the stable products obtained by the interaction of H₂SiF₆ solution with the following crown ethers: 18-crown-6 (18C6), monoaza-18C6 (MA18C6), 1,10-diaza-18C6 (DA18C6) and 1,7-diaza-15C5 (DA 15C5). The complexes obtained are stabilized by a system of H-bonds of the O-H... O, N-H. ... O, N-H...F and O-H ... F types. For H₂GeF₆ the adducts obtained are similar to those obtained using H₂SiF₆. The crystal structures of three new boron fluoride-containing complexes with 18-membered crown ethers are also described. During macrocycle complexation the guest entities undergo chemical transformations which are stabilized by creation of the H- bond system. The results of vibrational and NMR spectra are also discussed.Presented at the Sixth International Seminar on Inclusion Compounds, Istanbul, Turkey, 27–31 August, 1995.     

Study of Host-Guest Complexation of Alkaline Earth Metal Ion,Aluminum Ion and Transition Metal Ions with Crown Ethers by Fast Atom Bombardment Mass Spectrometry

Complexations of crown ethers with alkali metal ions have been investigated extensively by FAB mass spectrometry over the past decade, but very little attention has been paid to reactions of crown ethers with other classes of metal ions such as alkaline earth metal ions, transition metal ions and aluminum ions. Although fast atom bombardment ionization mass spectrometry has proven to be a rapid and convenient method to determine the binding interactions of crown ethers with metal ions, problems in reliabilities for quantitative measurements of” binding strength for the host-guest complexes have been described in the literature. Thus, in this paper, applications of FAB/MS for investigating the complexation of crown ethers with various classes of metal ions is discussed. Extensive fragmentations for neutral losses such as C₂H₄O or C₂H₄ molecules from the host-guest complexes could be observed. The reason is attributed to the energetic bombardment processes of FAB occuring in the formation of these complexes. Complexes of cyclen with metal ions also show neutral losses of C₂H₄NH molecules leading to fragment ions. Transition metal ions usually form (Crown + MCl)⁺ type of ions, alkaline earth metal ions can form both (Crown + MCl)⁺ and (Crown + MOH)⁺ type of ions. But for aluminum ions, only (Crown + Al(OH)₂)⁺ type of ions could he observed.     

Twenty-five Years of "Crowning" Around: Synthesis of Crown Ethers at Brigham Young University

A review of the synthesis of crown ethers at Brigham Young University ispresented. Topics include: thiacrown ethers, diestercrown ethers,proton-ionizable crown ethers, chiral crown ethers, azacrown ethers,cryptands and other polycyclic ligands, and the Mannich reaction method toprepare azacrown ethers and cryptands.     

Crown Ether As The Phase-Transfer Catalyst for Free Radical Polymerization of Hydrophobic Vinyl Monomers

Various crown ethers were used as phase-transfer catalysts for free radical polymerizations of some water-insoluble vinyl monomers such as acrylonitrile, methylmethacrylate and styrene with persulfate as initiator. The catalytic abilities of these crown ethers for free radical polymerization of acrylonitrile with S₂O₈^2?ion as an initiator were in the order: 18-crown-6 > 15-crown-4 > 12-crown-4 > benzo-15-crown-5 > dibenzo-18-crown-6. Among various persulfates such as Na₂S₂O₈ K₂S₂O₈ and (NH₄)₂S₂O₈, ammonium persulfate was the optimum initiator for the polymerization of acrylonitrile catalyzed by 18-crown-6 or 15-crown-5. Among the organic solvents used, chloroform seems to be the best solvent for the catalytic polymerization of acrylonitrile. An apparent activation energy of 72.9 kJ mol^?1 was observed for the polymerization of acrylonitrile. The catalytic reaction rates of free radical polymerization for these hydrophobic vinyl monomers were in the order: acrylonitrile > methylmethacrylate > styrene > isoprene. Effects of concentrations of crown ether, initiator, and nitrogen on the polymerization of these vinyl monomers were investigated.     

New methodology for the synthesis of benzoazacrown ethers by transformation of the macrocycle of benzocrown ethers

The review summarizes the results of studies aimed at constructing new promising macrocyclic ligands that bind metal and ammonium ions. A new approach to the synthesis of formyl and nitro derivatives of 1-aza-2,3-benzocrown ethers possessing considerable synthetic potential is described. The review presents a radically new methodology for the synthesis of such benzoazacrown ethers based on stepwise transformations of the macrocycle of readily accessible benzocrown ethers. The main structural factors and necessary conditions enabling stepwise transformations of the macrocycle of crown ethers into azacrown ethers were revealed. For the first time, the ability of N-methylbenzoazacrown ethers to form complexes was found, which is much superior to that of widely used N-phenylazacrown ethers and benzocrown ethers with the same size of the macrocycle.     

Association constants of dibenzo[3n + 2]crown-n ethers using steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy

The steady-state fluorescence spectra of cation complexes of fluorophore macrocyclic ethers have been studied for the estimation of 1:1 association constants, and perchlorate salts of Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺ Rb⁺ and Pb²⁺ complexing with dibenzo[23]crown-9, dibenzo[26]crown-10, and sym-dibenzo[26]crown-10, were investigated. The fluorescence emission maximum of the free and the various ligand/cation mixtures of complexed crown ethers were measured at room temperature in AN. The concentrations of chromophore crown ether were obtained from nonlinear calibration plots. The 1:1 stoichiometry of association constants (K_ass) were calculated using the equation, 1/K_ass [L_o] = (1 − nP)ⁿ(1 − m)^m/P with linear best fit of plots depending on 1/[L_o] where P = P_C/[1 + (m − 1)P_C] and P_C is the mole fraction of n/m ratio of the complexed ligand. The association constants of cations, K_ass, displayed the cation selectivities depending on the cation radii and the macrocyclic ether size, and Pb⁺ was found to give the strongest association with such crown ethers.     

Fine‐tuning of electromembrane extraction selectivity using 18‐crown‐6 ethers as supported liquid membrane modifiers

Selectivity of electromembrane extractions (EMEs) was fine‐tuned by modifications of supported liquid membrane (SLM) composition using additions of various 18‐crown‐6 ethers into 1‐ethyl‐2‐nitrobenzene. Gradually increased transfer of K⁺, the cation that perfectly fits the cavity of 18‐crown‐6 ethers, was observed for EMEs across SLMs modified with increasing concentrations of 18‐crown‐6 ethers. A SLM containing 1% w/v of dibenzo‐18‐crown‐6 in 1‐ethyl‐2‐nitrobenzene exhibited excellent selectivity for EMEs of K⁺. The established host–guest interactions between crown ether cavities in the SLM and potassium ions in donor solution ensured their almost exhaustive transfer into acceptor solution (extraction recovery ～92%) within 30 min of EME at 50 V. Other inorganic cations were not transferred across the SLM (Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺) or were transferred negligibly (NH₄⁺, Na⁺; extraction recovery < 2%) and had only subtle effect on EMEs of K⁺. The high selectivity of the tailor‐made SLM holds a great promise for future applications in EMEs since the range of similar selective modifiers is very broad and may be applied in various fields of analytical chemistry.     

Synthesis of Some Selenacrown Ethers and the Thermodynamic Origin of Their Complexation with C60

Two new selenacrown ethers, i.e., N,N′-dimethyl-1,11-diaza-4,8,14,18,-tetraselenacycloicosane (1) and 7,11-diseleno-2,3,15,16,-dibenzo-1,4,14,17,20,23-hexaoxacyclopentacosane (2), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and UV, and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy. An X-ray crystallographic structure was obtained for 1. UV-spectrophotometric titrations have been performed in CCl₄ solution at 25–50 °C to obtain the complex stability constants (K_s) and the thermodynamic parameters (ΔH⁰ and TΔS⁰) for the stoichiometric 1:1 complexation of [60]-fullerene (C60) with the crown ethers 1–4. The obtained K_s values together with that reported for dicyclohexano-24-crown-8 (5) reveal that, the more the heteroatom numbers in crown ether ring are, and the larger the cavity sizes of crown ethers are, the higher theK_svalues for complexation with C60 are. Thermodynamically, the complexation of C60 with 1–5 is absolutely enthalpy-driven in CCl₄, while the complex stability is governed by the entropy term.     

A Convenient and Efficient Method for the Preparation of Unique Fluorophores of Lariat Naphtho‐Aza‐Crown Ethers

New naphtho‐aza‐crown ethers containing different phenolic side‐arms attached through the ortho‐position of the phenol have been prepared under solvent‐free conditions. The starting macrocyclic naphtho‐aza‐crown ether 2 was obtained by treatment of naphthalene dicarboxylic acid diester 1 with diethylenetriamine in EtOH at room temperature for two days without stirring in 77% yield (Scheme 1). Phenolic ligands ( 3 – 14 ) were synthesized by the Mannich reaction of the secondary macrocyclic amine 2 with the substituted phenols using nontoxic and inexpensive CaCl₂. This procedure was applied successfully for the synthesis of Mannich bases from simple secondary amines. The CaCl₂ powder can be reused up to three times after simple washing with dry acetone.     

Invariom‐model refinement and Hirshfeld surface analysis of well‐ordered solvent‐free dibenzo‐21‐crown‐7

Crown ethers and their supramolecular derivatives are well‐known chelators and scavengers for a variety of cations, most notably heavier alkali and alkaline‐earth ions. Although they are widely used in synthetic chemistry, available crystal structures of uncoordinated and solvent‐free crown ethers regularly suffer from disorder. In this study, we present the X‐ray crystal structure analysis of well‐ordered solvent‐free crystals of dibenzo‐21‐crown‐7 (systematic name: dibenzo[b ,k ]‐1,4,7,10,13,16,19‐heptaoxacycloheneicosa‐2,11‐diene, C₂₂H₂₈O₇). Because of the quality of the crystal and diffraction data, we have chosen invarioms, in addition to standard independent spherical atoms, for modelling and briefly discuss the different refinement results. The electrostatic potential, which is directly deducible from the invariom model, and the Hirshfeld surface are analysed and complemented with interaction‐energy computations to characterize intermolecular contacts. The boat‐like molecules stack along the a axis and are arranged as dimers of chains, which assemble as rows to form a three‐dimensional structure. Dispersive C—H…H—C and C—H…π interactions dominate, but nonclassical hydrogen bonds are present and reflect the overall rather weak electrostatic influence. A fingerprint plot of the Hirshfeld surface summarizes and visualizes the intermolecular interactions. The insight gained into the crystal structure of dibenzo‐21‐crown‐7 not only demonstrates the power of invariom refinement, Hirshfeld surface analysis and interaction‐energy computation, but also hints at favourable conditions for crystallizing solvent‐free crown ethers.     

Structure, intramolecular flexibility, and complexation of aza crown ethers to anions H2PO4 and HSO4 in nonprotic solvents

Both the structure and intramolecular flexibility of a series of aza crown ethers were studied by experimental NMR and theoretical molecular modeling. The stoichiometries of complexation to the anions H₂PO₄⁻ and HSO₄⁻ and resulting complex stabilities were determined by experimental NMR (¹H, ³¹P) titration and, in addition, the structure and mobility changes of the aza crown ethers upon complexation were also examined.     

Effect of the Structure of Benzo- and Dibenzocrown Ethers on Their Reaction with the Aerosil Surface

The adsorption of 4-substituted benzo- and 5,5′-disubstituted dibenzocrown ethers from benzene by aerosil A-300 was studied. The ethers included a total of 45 compounds with diphenyl oxide, diphenyl, and diphenyl sulfide fragments. Analysis of the Henry coefficients (K_H) and the extent of desorption, the IR spectra of the adsorbed compounds, and the relationship between their structure and adsorption capacity indicated that all structural fragments of the crown ethers studied interact to some extent with aerosil surface fragments. The number of oxygen atoms in the polyether fragment and the size of the macrocycle are the predominant factors. A large, nonadditive increase in K_H is observed in going from pentadentate to hexadentate crown ethers. __________ Translated from Teoreticheskaya i Eksperimental'naya Khimiya, Vol. 41, No. 4, pp. 247–251, July–August, 2005.     

Synthesis of novel crown ethers. Part 1. Coumestan and coumestan analog derivatives of crown ethers

The presented ethylenedioxy compounds5a,5d,6a and6c are examples of novel cyclic ethers, while macrocyclic polyethers represent new crown ether analogues. New coumestan-crowns5a-f, derivatives of 6,7-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydro-2H-dibenzofuran-1-one and 6,7-dihydroxy-3,3-dimethyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-dibenzofuran-1-one6a-e were synthesized from the correspondingo-dihydroxy compounds3a-b,4a-b and ditosylates or dichlorides of di- or triethylene glycol in the presence of K₂CO₃, in DMF/H₂O (15/1) solutions at 65–75 °C for 35 hours. The structure of the macrocyclic ethers obtained were confirmed by¹H-NMR,¹³C-NMR, IR spectra and elemental analyses.Presented at the Sixth International Seminar on Inclusion Compounds, Istanbul, Turkey, 27–31 August, 1995.     

Macrocyclic Polyether Phase Transfer Catalysts for Free Radical Polymerization of Acrolein

Macrocyclic polyethers, e.g., crown ethers and cryptands, were prepared and employed as phase transfer catalysts for free radical polymerization of acrolein, a vinyl monomer, with persulfates (S₂O₈^2–) as initiators. The catalytic abilities of various macrocyclic polyethers as catalysts for the free radical polymerization of acrolein were found to be in the order: benzo‐15‐crown‐5 > dibenzo‐18‐crown‐6 > 12‐crown‐4 > 15‐crown‐5 > 18‐crown‐6 > cryptand‐22 with sodium persulfate (Na₂S₂O₈) as initiator. Sodium persulfate proved to be a better initiator than ammonium persulfate or potassium persulfate with benzo‐15‐crown‐5 as a catalyst. Effects of solvents and temperature on the catalytic polymerization were also investigated. The polymerization rates in various solvents were in the order: dioxane > benzene > acetonitrile > acetone > dichloromethane > hexane > water. Comparison between bulk polymerization and solution polymerization was also made. Higher polymerization rate was observed at higher temperature. The molecular weights of polyacrolein and the conversion of monomer in reaction period were determined with gel permeation chromatography and ultra‐violet spectrophotometry, respectively. Concentration effects of crown ether and initiator were also investigated and discussed.