Nitro derivatives of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-alkylbenzoaza-15-crown-5: synthesis,structures, and complexation with metal and ammonium cations

A number of N-alkylnitrobenzoaza-15-crown-5 with the macrocycle N atom conjugated with the benzene ring were obtained. The structural and complexing properties of these compounds were compared with those of model nitrobenzo- and N-(4-nitrophenyl)aza-15-crown-5 using X-ray diffraction, ¹H NMR spectroscopy, and DFT calculations. The macrocyclic N atom of benzoazacrown ethers are characterized by a considerable contribution of the sp3-hybridized state and a pronounced pyramidal geometry; the crownlike conformation of the macrocycle is preorganized for cation binding, which facilitates complexation. The stability constants of the complexes of crown ethers with the NH₄ ⁺, EtNH₃ ⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Ba²⁺ ions were determined by 1H NMR titration in MeCN-d₃. The most stable complexes were obtained with alkaline-earth metal cations, which is due to the higher charge density at these cations. The characteristics of the complexing ability of N-alkylnitrobenzoaza-15-crown-5 toward alkaline earth metal cations are comparable with analogous characteristics of nitrobenzo-15-crown-5 and are much better than those of N-(4-nitrophenyl)aza-15-crown-5.     

Conductance studies of salt solutions in the presence of poly(vinylbenzo crown ethers)

The conductance of acetone and methyl ethyl ketone solutions of tetraphenylborate salts in the presence of homopolymers and styrene copolymers of vinylbenzo-15-crown-5 and vinylbenzo-18-crown-6 was studied, and the results compared with data obtained for crown ethers. Polycations are formed on binding cations to the poly(crown ethers), and the conductance behavior of the polyelectrolytes depends on the nature of the cation-crown complex and the spacing between crown moieties which in turn determines the charge density on the polymer chain. The compositions of the crown-cation complexes were determined for crown ethers. The complex formation constants of sodium and potassium cations to poly(vinylbenzo-18-crown-6) were found to change as more cations bind to the chain. This is not the case for the copolymers where the crown ligands are spaced farther apart. A mixture of poly(vinylbenzo-15-crown-5) and 10^?3M potassium tetraphenylborate in methyl ethyl ketone or acetone has a minimum conductance at a crown to cation ratio of 3.0, but the conductance rapidly increases on addition of crown ether. This was used to qualitatively determine the binding efficiency of a series of crown ethers since the rate of increase in the conductance is a measure of the binding ability of the crown ether to the cation.     

Synthesis of Double-Armed Benzo-15-crown-5 and Their Complexation Thermodynamics with Alkali Cations

A series of double-armed benzo-15-crown-5 lariats (3–8) have been synthesized by the reaction of 4′, 5′-bis(bromomethyl)-benzo-15-crown-5 (2) with 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, phenol, 4-chlorophenol, 4-methoxyphenol, 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde, and 4-acetamidophenol in 43 ~ 82% yields, respectively. The complex stability constants (K _S) and thermodynamic parameters for the stoichiometric 1:1 and/or 1:2 complexes of benzo-15-crown-5 1 and double-armed crown ethers 3–8 with alkali cations (Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺) have been determined in methanol–water (V/V=8:2) at 25 °C by means of microcalorimetric titrations. As compared with the parent benzo-15-crown-5 1, double-armed crown ethers 3–8 show unremarkable changes in the complex stability constants upon complexation with Na⁺, but present significantly enhanced binding ability toward cations larger than the crown cavity by the secondly sandwich complexation. Thermodynamically, the sandwich complexations of crown ethers 3-8 with cations are mostly enthalpy-driven processes accompanied with a moderate entropy loss. The binding ability and selectivity of cations by the double-armed crown ethers are discussed from the viewpoints of the electron density, additional binding site, softness, spatial arrangement, and especially the cooperative binding of two crown ether molecules toward one metal ion.     

DFT calculation of benzoazacrown ethers and their complexes with calcium perchlorate

The complexation constants of several azacrown ethers with Ca(ClO₄)₂ were determined and turned out to be the higher, the large the macrocycle. The structures of free ligands and their complexes and the complexation energies were calculated by the DFT method. In the aza-12(15)-crown-4(5) ether complexes with Ca(ClO₄)₂, the metal cations lie outside the averaged plane of heteroatoms of the macrocycle, and the coordination of both counterions is V-like. In the complexes of aza-18-crown-6 ethers, the counterions are in the axial position relatively to the macrocycle in the center of which the Ca²⁺ ion is localized. The complexation energies increase with an increase in the size of the azacrown ether macrocycle. The involvement of the nitrogen atom in binding with the Ca²⁺ ion decreases with the expansion of the macrocycle. Two methods for quantitative estimation of the degree of pre-organization of ligands to complexation were considered: geometric and energetic methods. Benzoaza-15-crown-5 ether is a ligand which is more pre-organized to complexation than N-phenylaza-15-crown-5 ether.     

Controlled Growth of Hybrid Halide Perovskites by Crown Ether Complexation for Perovskite Solar Cells

Host-guest complexation has demonstrated potential for controlling hybrid organic-inorganic metal halide perovskite materials. In particular, crown ethers have been used due to their capacity to interact with metal cations (e. g., Pb²⁺) and small organic cations (e. g., methylammonium (MA)), which can affect hybrid perovskite materials and their solar cells. However, this strategy has been underexploited in perovskite photovoltaics, and the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. In this study, we investigate the influence of 15-crown-5 ( 15C5 ) and its benzannulated derivative (benzo-15-crown-5, B15C5 ), as well as amino-functionalized analogues (15-crown-5)-2-methylamine, 2A-15C5 , and 4′-aminobenzo-15-crown-5, 4A-B15C5 , on MAPbI₃ perovskite crystallization and inverted solar cell performance. We demonstrate the propensity of crown ether modulators to interact with Pb²⁺ cations at the perovskite interface by density functional theory calculations. This has been shown to facilitate oriented crystal growth and homogeneous film formation, as revealed by X-ray diffraction analysis complemented by scanning electron microscopy. As a result, we demonstrate an increase in the power conversion efficiency of the solar cells of interest to advancing hybrid photovoltaics.     

Synthesis of Double-Armed Benzo-15-crown-5 and Their Complexation Thermodynamics with Alkali Cations

A series of double-armed benzo-15-crown-5 lariats (3–8) have been synthesized by the reaction of 4′, 5′-bis(bromomethyl)-benzo-15-crown-5 (2) with 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, phenol, 4-chlorophenol, 4-methoxyphenol, 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde, and 4-acetamidophenol in 43 ~ 82% yields, respectively. The complex stability constants (K _S) and thermodynamic parameters for the stoichiometric 1:1 and/or 1:2 complexes of benzo-15-crown-5 1 and double-armed crown ethers 3–8 with alkali cations (Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺) have been determined in methanol–water (V/V=8:2) at 25 °C by means of microcalorimetric titrations. As compared with the parent benzo-15-crown-5 1, double-armed crown ethers 3–8 show unremarkable changes in the complex stability constants upon complexation with Na⁺, but present significantly enhanced binding ability toward cations larger than the crown cavity by the secondly sandwich complexation. Thermodynamically, the sandwich complexations of crown ethers 3-8 with cations are mostly enthalpy-driven processes accompanied with a moderate entropy loss. The binding ability and selectivity of cations by the double-armed crown ethers are discussed from the viewpoints of the electron density, additional binding site, softness, spatial arrangement, and especially the cooperative binding of two crown ether molecules toward one metal ion.Graphical Abstract Synthesis of Double-Armed Benzo-15-crown-5 and Their Complexation Thermodynamics with Alkali CationsYU LIU*, JIAN-RONG HAN, ZHONG-YU DUAN and HENG-YI ZHANG This revised version was published online in July 2005 with a corrected issue number.     

Crown-Ether Phase-Transfer Catalysts for Reduction of Ketones,Oxidation of Olefins and Polymerization of p-Xylenedibromide

Various homogeneous and heterogeneous crown ether catalysts were prepared and applied as phase transfer catalysts for some reductions, oxidations and polymerizations. Among various crown ethers, 15-crown-5 seems the best to catalyze the reduction of ketones and aldehydes with sodium borohydride in nonpolar aprotic solvents. A granular entrapped 15-crown-5-polyacrylamide catalysts was also prepared and applied as a heterogeneous catalyst for these reductions which seem to obey pseudo-first-order kinetics with rate constant 10^?4–10⁵ s^?1. The steric effects of ketones and the effects of temperature and concentration of crown ethers, sodium borohydride and carbonyl compounds were also investigated. Among various crown ethers, 18-crown-6 is the best to catalyze the oxidation of olefins such as styrene, xylene and stilbene with potassium permanganate. Crown ethers were successfully applied as catalysts for anionic polymerization of p-xylenedibromide with sodium dithionite as an initiator.     

Decomposition of vinyl ethers by alkalide K, K(15-crown-5)2 via organopotassium intermediates

The structure of vinyl ethers determines the direction of the C-O bond cleavage by alkalide K⁻, K⁺(15-crown-5)₂1. Highly reactive organopotassium compounds are intermediate products formed in the system containing phenyl vinyl ether, butyl vinyl ether, ethylene glycol butyl vinyl ether or triethylene glycol methyl vinyl ether. Vinylpotassium and butylpotassium react with 15-crown-5. The oxacyclic ring of the latter is opened in this case. Organopotassium ethers possessing CH₂CH₂O units eliminate ethylene. It results in various potassium alkoxides. The reaction of 1 with butyl vinyl ether occurs very slow as compared to other vinyl ethers and most of other reagents used till now.     

Building up of Macroring in the New Synthesis of Azacrown Ethers. Structure and Complex Formation of Nitrobenzoazacrown Ethers

A cyclization of azapodand haloderivatives into nitrobenzoazacrown ethers under treatment with various bases and in their absence was investigated. The nitrobenzoazacrown ethers obtained and their complexes with metal cations were studied by X-ray diffraction method and by ¹H NMR titration. In nitrobenzoaza-15-crown-5 a capability to complex Ca²⁺ cation was found that significantly exceeded similar ability of nitrobenzocrown ether with the same size of the macroring.     

15-Hydroxybenzomonothia-15-crown-5 with the sulfur atom linked with the benzene ring and the derived sulfoxide: synthesis,structure, and complexation with the metal cations

Novel 15-hydroxybenzomonothia-15-crown-5 containing the sulfur atom linked with the benzene ring and its S-oxide were synthesized. The stability constants for the complexes of the obtained benzocrown ethers and a reference 15-hydroxybenzo-15-crown-5 with Na, Ca, Ag^I, Cd, Hg^II, and Pb^II perchlorates were determined by ¹H NMR titration. In MeCN-d₃, the benzothiacrown ether demonstrates a high selectivity towards the thio- and oxothiophilic Hg²⁺ (logK ₁ = 7.1) and Pb²⁺ ions (logK ₁ = 7.4). In MeCN-d₃-D₂O mixtures, the stabilities of the most of complexes decrease sharply due to competitive hydration of the metal cations except for the “soft” Ag⁺ and Hg²⁺ ions having low affinity for the “hard” oxygen atoms and, on the contrary, very high affinity for the “soft” S^II atoms. This results in the change in selectivity of complexation: at the water content in solution of 20%, the benzothiacrown ether binds preferably the Hg²⁺ (logK ₁ = 5.0) and Ag⁺ ions (logK ₁ = 2.7). In MeCN-d₃, the benzothiacrown-derived sulfoxide is a weak and non-selective complexing agent towards all the metal cations under study; the reference 15-hydroxybenzo-15-crown-5 forms more stable complexes with the oxophilic sodium, calcium, and lead(ii) cations. The conformational features of the benzocrown ethers and their metal complexes established by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction are discussed. The found characteristics of the complexing ability of benzomonothia-15-crown-5 where the sulfur atom is in conjugation with the benzene ring reveal that the macrocyclic ligands with such a structure are promising as high-selective and efficient complexing agents for the “soft” mercury(ii) and silver(i) cations in acetonitrile-water mixtures.     

Cation-crown ether complex formation in water. II. Alkali and alkaline earth cations and 12-crown-4, 15-crown-5, and 18-crown-6

The stability constants and the partial molal volume and isentropic partial molal compressibility changes of complex formation between cations and crown ethers in water at 25°C are presented. The cations involved are Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, Cs⁺, Ca²⁺, and Ba²⁺, and the crown ethers are 12-crown-4, 15-crown-5, and 18-crown-6. Values of V of complex formation have been discussed in terms of two simple models, one based on the scaled particle theory, and the others on the Drude-Nernst continuum model. The results indicate that the charge of the potassium cation in 18-crown-6 is especially well screened from the water. On this basis hydration numbers of complexed cations have been calculated. This shows that the size of the cation compared to the crown ether hole is important for the contacts between complexed cations and water.     

以2-苯氧乙基为氮支链的[18]和[15]环系氮支套索冠醚的合成及其络合性能

以2-苯氧乙醇为起始剂, 合成了两种新型氮支套索冠醚: N-(2-苯氧乙基)单氮杂-18-冠-6 (18CE)与N-(2-苯氧乙基)单氮杂-15-冠-5 (15CE). 通过红外光谱、核磁共振氢谱和紫外光谱表征了新冠醚及其中间体的结构. 用电导滴定法研究了两冠醚与Na^＋, K^＋, Ag^＋, NH^4＋, Ni^2＋, Cu^2＋, Pb^2＋和Co^2＋在25 ℃的配位作用, 计算了1∶1配合物的稳定常数. 实验结果表明, 由于N-(2-苯氧乙基)引入氮杂冠醚环和参与配位, 18CE和15CE配合物的稳定常数分别比单氮杂-18-冠-6, N-(2-羟基乙基)单氮杂-18-冠-6, N-(2-甲氧基乙基)单氮杂-18-冠-6和单氮杂-15-冠-5, N-(2-甲氧乙基)单氮杂-15-冠-5, N-(2-甲氧乙基)单氮杂-15-冠-5的对应配合物明显提高. 配合物的稳定常数和紫外光谱皆提供了支链的苯氧基参与配位的信息.     

Two-component polymer films of palladium and fullerene with covalently linked crown ether voids: effect of cation binding on the redox behavior

Redox active films have been generated via electrochemical reduction in a solution containing palladium(II) acetate and fulleropyrrolidine with covalently linked crown ethers, viz., benzo-15-crown-5 and benzo-18-crown-6. In these films, fullerene moieties are covalently bonded to palladium atoms to form a polymeric network. Films show ability to coordinate alkali metal cations from the solution. Therefore, in solutions containing salts of alkali metal cations, benzo-15-crown-5-C₆₀/Pd and benzo-18-crown-6-C₆₀/Pd films are doped with cations coordinated by crown ether moiety and anions of supporting electrolyte which enter the film to balance positive charge. These films are electrochemically active in the negative potential range due to the reduction of the fullerene moiety. Reduction of the polymer is accompanied by the transport of supporting electrolyte ions between solution and solid phase. In solution containing alkali metal salts, the process of film reduction is accompanied by the transport of anions from the film to the solution. In the presence of tetra(alkyl)ammonium salts, transport of cations from the solution to the film takes place during the polymer reduction.     

Synthesis of alkynylbenzo-15-crown-5 ethers

Reactions of 4"-iodobenzo-15-crown-5 ether with ethynylarenes or 4"-ethynylbenzo-15-crown-5 ether with haloarenes in the presence of catalytic amounts of Pd^IIcomplex salts, CuI, and Et₃N gave 4"-(arylethynyl)benzo-15-crown-5 ethers in 55—80% yields.     

Synthesis and complexing properties of bis-crown ethers incorporating benzo-15-crown-5 and metallocene

Bis-crown ethers in which the benzo-15-crown-5 units were linked to 1,1′-positions of metallocene (M = Fe or Ru) with amide, ester, or ? C? C? bonds were synthesized. Complexing ability of the compounds with alkali, alkali earth, and transition metal cations were measured by the solvent extraction method. The results showed that these crown ethers had high affinity toward alkali metal cations (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, and Rb⁺) and heavy-metal cations (Ag⁺ and Tl⁺). The difference of complexing ability for metal cations between ferrocene and ruthenocene derivatives could not be detected significantly. The extractability of metallocene-bis-crown ethers for metal cations was more larger than that of the corresponding mono-crown ethers, and irregular increments of extractability were explained by assuming the existence of a mixture of 1:1 and 2:1 complexes.     

Bis(Benzo-18-crown-6) Derivatives: Synthesis and Ion-Sensing Properties in Plasticized PVC Membranes

Several mono-and bis(benzo-18-crown-6) ethers comprising o-nitrophenyl urethanemoieties were synthesized and studied as ionophores in PVC membrane electrodes. Thebis(crown ether)s were found to exhibit good potentiometric Cs⁺ selectivity overmono and divalent cations as compared to the respective mono(crown ether)s.     

Synthesis of nitro and amino derivatives of benzothiacrown ethers

The condensation reaction of 1,2-bis(2-haloethoxy)-4-nitrobenzenes with acyclic α,ω-(oxa)alkanedithiols in the presence of alkali metal carbonates produced a series of nitrobenzodithiacrown ethers with macrocycles of different size. The structures of three ethers were established by X-ray diffraction. A new method was developed for the synthesis of nitrobenzomonothia-15-crown-5 ether. Nitro derivatives of benzodithiacrown ethers were tested as reagents for extraction of palladium(II), platinum(IV), and rhodium(III) from hydrochloric acid solutions. Extraction of Pd^II salts was found to be highly selective compared to that of Pt^IV and Rh^III salts. Benzodithia-15-crown-5 ether is the most efficient extractant for palladium(II). Reduction of nitrobenzothiacrown ethers with hydrazine hydrate in the presence of a platinum catalyst afforded their amino derivatives. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 5, pp. 958–966, May, 2007.     

Synthesis and Cation Recognition Study of Novel Benzo Crown Ether Functionalized Enamine Derivatives

A novel series of benzo crown ether (dibenzo 18-crown-6 ether, benzo 18-crown-6 ether, and benzo 15-crown-5 ether) functionalized enamines derivatives from amino benzo crown ether (4-amino dibenzo 18-crown-6 ether, 4-amino benzo 18-crown-6 ether, 4-amino benzo 15-crown-5 ether) and substituted 3-(dimethylamino)-1-phenylprop-2-en-1-one compounds have been synthesized. All the synthesized compounds were characterized by infrared, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, distortionless enhancement polarization transfer, and mass and elemental analysis techniques. The cation recognition property for benzo crown ether enamine 8a was studied by absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy.     

Molecular clips based on diphenylglycoluril and benzocrown ethers: promising complexing agents for the alkali metal cations

The interaction of new molecular clips containing diphenylglycoluril and benzocrown ethers moieties with alkali metals ions was studied. Stability constants were determined by spectrophotometric titrations with chloride salts in methanol. Complex stability and cation binding selectivity were shown to be dependent on the size of the crown ether moiety. The “sandwich-type” 1:1 (clip to cation) complexes and the “classical” 1:2 complexes were found. Their ratio varies depending on the molecular clips nature and on the cation type. It was found an unexpected selectivity of the molecular clip with benzo-15-crown-5 moieties toward K⁺ and Rb⁺ cations. The molecular structure of the clip complex with benzo-15-crown-5 fragments and sodium picrate was determined by X-ray crystallography. The crystal structure and solution-state structure were proven to be similar.     

Imidazo-benzo-15-crown-5 ethers bearing arylthienyl and bithienyl moieties as novel fluorescent chemosensors for Pd and Cu

Novel fluorescent ionophores bearing imidazo-arylthienyl or imidazo-bithienyl π-conjugated bridges functionalized with one or two fused benzo-15-crown-5 ethers as receptor units are reported. The sensing ability of the compounds in the presence of metallic cations (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Pd²⁺, and Hg²⁺) and fluoride ion was studied in MeCN/DMSO solutions by absorption and emission spectroscopy. The experimental results indicate that all compounds could act as selective fluorimetric sensors for Cu²⁺ and Pd²⁺ and also for the fluoride ion, in the case of the bis-substituted crown ether derivatives.