Synthesis and optical properties of cis‐dibenzothiazolyldibenzo‐24‐crown‐8

New crown ether carrying two fluorionophores of cis‐dibenzothiazolyldibenzo‐24‐crown‐8 was synthesized from cis‐diformyldibenzo‐24‐crown‐8 and 2‐aminobenzenethiol. The binding behavior and the optical properties of the crown ether were examined through UV‐visible spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy. When complexed with Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, and Cs⁺ ions, it led to intramolecular charge transfer and caused the changes of the fluorescence spectra. The protonation of the crown ether was also studied. With protonation using CF₃COOH, the absorption bands and the fluorescence spectroscopy changed, the maximal fluorescence wavelengths red shifted and the fluorescence intensity with the maximum at 433 nm enhanced strongly. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2011).     

The synthesis of novel crown ethers,part ix, 3‐phenyl chromenone‐crown ethers

3‐Phenyl‐ and 3‐(p‐methoxyphenyl)‐7,8‐dihydroxy and ‐6,7‐dihydroxychromenones were prepared from ethyl 3‐oxo‐2‐phenylpropanoate, ethyl 3‐oxo‐2‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐propanoate and the trihydroxy benzenes in H₂SO₄. 3‐Aryl‐7,8‐ and 3‐aryl‐6,7‐dihydroxy‐2H‐chromenones reacted with the bis‐dihalides of poly‐glycols in DMF/MeCO₃ to afford 12‐Crown‐4, 15‐Crown‐4 and 18‐Crown‐6‐chromenones. The products were identified with IR, 1H NMR, low and high resolution mass spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Some 1:1 cation association constants, K_b, of the 3‐phenyl chromenone crown ethers with Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺ and Rb⁺ cations were studied by steady state emission fluorescence spectroscopy; K_b chromenone‐crown complexes displayed crown ether‐cation binding selectivity rules properly in acetonitrile.     

Propane‐1,3‐diaminium tetrachloridozincate(II) 18‐crown‐6 clathrate

The reaction of propane‐1,3‐diamine hydrochloride, 18‐crown‐6 and zinc(II) chloride in methanol solution yields the title complex salt [systematic name: propane‐1,3‐diaminium tetrachloridozincate(II)–1,4,7,10,13,16‐hexaoxacyclooctadecane (1/1)], (C₃H₁₂N₂)[ZnCl₄]·C₁₂H₂₄O₆, with an unusual supramolecular structure. The diprotonated propane‐1,3‐diaminium cation forms an unexpected 1:1 supramolecular rotator–stator complex with the crown ether, viz. [C₃H₁₂N₂(18‐crown‐6)]²⁺, in which one of the –NH₃⁺ substituents nests in the crown and interacts through N—H...O hydrogen bonding. The other –NH₃⁺ group interacts with the [ZnCl₄]²⁻ anion via N—H...Cl hydrogen bonding, forming cation–crown–anion ribbons parallel to [010].     

Synthesis of Novel Dibenzo‐18‐crown‐6‐ ether‐Functionalized Benzimidazoles and its Applications in Colorimetric Recognition to Hg2+ and as Antifungal Agents

New crown ether‐functionalized benzimidazoles was designed and synthesized via formylation of dibenzo‐18‐crown‐6 followed by condensation with different o‐phenylene diamines. The complexation properties of crown ether‐functionalized benzimidazoles with various metals (K⁺, Ca²⁺, Ba²⁺, Co²⁺, Hg²⁺) were examined using UV–vis spectroscopy. Hg²⁺ showed a well‐defined peculiar absorption maximum at 366 nm exclusively. All these newly synthesized compounds were screened for antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus oryzae, respectively.     

A Supermolecule Assembled by Sodium Cation,Crown Ether and α‐Dawson Heteropolyanion

The supermolecular based on sodium molybdate(VI) and sulfate, dibenzo‐18‐crown‐6 was synthesized in acetonitrile and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H NMR, single crystal X‐ray diffraction, indicating that it contains [S₂Mo₁₈O₆₂]⁴⁺ and [Na(DB18C6)(H₂O)]⁺, where each sodium ion is deviated from the plane defined by the oxygen atoms in the corresponding crown ether. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with a=3.29332(10) nm, b=1.90917(6) nm, c=2.63132(7) nm, β=121.6630(10)°, V=14081.8(7) nm³, Z=8, T=293(2) K, and R₁ (wR₂)=0.0177 (0.1525). The compound exhibits a novel organic‐inorganic structure, in which the crown ether‐sodium complexes are coordinated to the terminal oxygen atoms of Mo₁₈O₅₄ and the oxygen atoms of water molecule.     

Stabilization of Highly Reactive “Naked Anions”: Synthesis,Crystal Structure and Vibrational Spectrum of [Na(12‐crown‐4)2]2 [P2S6] · CH3CN

The novel thiodiphosphate, [Na(12‐crown‐4)₂]₂[P₂S₆] · CH₃CN, bis[di(12‐crown‐4)sodium] hexathiodiphosphate(V) acetonitrile solvate ( 1 ) has been synthesized by the reaction of Na₂[P₂S₆] with 12‐crown‐4 in dry acetonitrile. The title compound crystallizes in the tetragonal space group P4₂/mbc (no. 135), with a = 15.184(1) Å, c = 21.406(2) Å and Z = 4 and final R1 = 0.0671 and wR2 = 0.0809. The crystal structure is characterized by discrete sodium‐bound crown‐ether sandwich cations, [Na(12‐crown‐4)₂]⁺ and [P₂S₆]^2? ions with D_2h symmetry. Sodium ion is coordinated by the eight oxygen atoms of two crown‐ether molecules to form a square antiprisma. Solvent molecules of CH₃CN are statistically disordered. Distances and angles of the [P₂S₆]^2? unit are similar to those in [K(18‐crown‐6)]₂ [P₂S₆] · 2 CH₃CN, and in K₂[P₂S₆] and Cs₂[P₂S₆]. The FT‐Raman and FT‐IR spectrum of the title compound has been recorded and interpreted, especially with respect to the P₂S₆ group and in comparison to the few known metal hexathiodiphosphates(V).     

Kristallstrukturen „supramolekularer”︁ (Benzo‐18‐krone‐6)kaliumtetrathiocyanatometallate: Ein dimerer Komplex {[K(Benzo‐18‐krone‐6)]2[Hg(SCN)4]}2 und zwei isomere Komplexe [K(Benzo‐18‐krone‐6)][Cd(SCN)3] mit kettenförmigen Trithiocyanatocadmat‐Anionen

Crystal Structures of „Supramolecular”︁ Benzo‐18‐crown‐6 Potassium Tetrathiocyanato Metallates: A Dimeric Complex {[K(Benzo‐18‐crown‐6)]₂[Hg(SCN)₄]}₂ and Two Isomeric Complexes [K(Benzo‐18‐crown‐6)][Cd(SCN)₃] Containing Trithiocyanato Cadmate Anions with Chain Structures By reaction of potassium thiocyanatomercurate(II) complexes with benzo‐18‐crown‐6 (2,3‐benzo‐1,4,7,10,13,16‐hexaoxacyclooctadec‐2‐ene) crystals of {[K(benzo‐18‐crown‐6)]₂[Hg(SCN₄)]}₂ ( 1 ) were obtained. 1 crystallizes monoclinic, space group P2₁/n (non‐standard setting of P2₁/c), a = 1737.35(2), b = 1377.16(2), c = 1984.12(3) pm, β = 100.637(1)°, Z = 2. With potassium tetrathiocyanatocadmate(II) two modifications of a complex [K(benzo‐18‐crown‐6)][Cd(SCN)₃] ( 2 , 3 ), of different symmetry were formed. 2 crystallizes monoclinic, P2₁/c, a = 1158,31(3), b = 1096,55(2), c = 2028,46(2) pm, β = 99,5261(2)°, Z = 4, 3  orthorhombic, P2₁cn, a = 1105,95(3), b = 1413,07(4), c = 1617,10(5) pm, Z = 4. 1 has a dimeric structure, built up from a dication K₂(benzo‐18‐crown‐6)₂]²⁺ and two [K(benzo‐18‐crown‐6)]⁺ cations, which are bridged by two [Hg(SCN)₄]^2– anions. In 2 and 3 triply bridged infinite [{Cd(SCN)₃^–}_n] zigzag chains, stretching along screw axes, are to be found as anions. In 2 these chains exist in two conformations related by inversion symmetry, whereas in 3 only one form can be found. [K(benzo‐18‐crown‐6)]⁺ cations are linked to the anion chains via K · · · S interactions of different lengths.     

Neue Kronenether‐stabilisierte Oxoniumhalogenochalkogenate: [H3O(Dibromo‐benzo‐18‐Krone‐6)]2[Se3Br10] und [H5O2(Bis‐dibromo‐dibenzo‐24‐Krone‐8]2[Se3Br8]

Novel Oxonium Halogenochalcogenates Stabilized by Crown Ethers: [H₃O(Dibromo‐benzo‐18‐crown‐6)]₂[Se₃Br₁₀] and [H₅O₂(Bis‐dibromo‐dibenzo‐24‐crown‐8]₂[Se₃Br₈] Two novel complex oxonium bromoselenates(II,IV) and –(II) are reported containing [H₃O]⁺ and [H₅O₂]⁺ cations coordinated by crown ether ligands. [H₃O(dibromo‐benzo‐18‐crown‐6)]₂[Se₃Br₁₀] ( 1 ) and [H₅O₂(bis‐dibromo‐dibenzo‐24‐crown‐8]₂[Se₃Br₈] ( 2 ) were prepared as dark red crystals from dichloromethane or acetonitrile solutions of selenium tetrabromide, the corresponding unsubstituted crown ethers, and aqueous hydrogen bromide. The products were characterized by their crystal structures and by vibrational spectra. 1 is triclinic, space group (Nr. 2) with a = 8.609(2) Å, b = 13.391(3) Å, c = 13.928(3) Å, α = 64.60(2)°, β = 76.18(2)°, γ = 87.78(2)°, V = 1404.7(5) ų, Z = 1. 2 is also triclinic, space group with a = 10.499(2) Å, b = 13.033(3) Å, c = 14.756(3) Å, α = 113.77(3)°, β = 98.17(3)°, γ = 93.55(3)°. V = 1813.2(7) ų, Z = 1. In the reaction mixture complex redox reactions take place, resulting in (partial) reduction of selenium and bromination of the crown ether molecules. In 1 the centrosymmetric trinuclear [Se₃Br₁₀]^2? consists of a central Se^IVBr₆ octahedron sharing trans edges with two square planar Se^IIBr₄ groups. The novel [Se₃Br₈]^2? in 2 is composed of three planar trans‐edge sharing Se^IIBr₄ squares in a linear arrangement. The internal structure of the oxonium‐crown ether complexes is largely determined by the steric restrictions imposed by the aromatic rings in the crown ether molecules, as compared to complexes with more flexible unsubstituted crown ether ligands.     

Potassium di­cyano­argentate(I) 1,4,7,10,13,16‐hexaoxa­cyclo­octadecane

The crystal structure of the title compound, K[Ag(CN)₂]·C₁₂H₂₄O₆, conventionally denoted K(18‐crown‐6)Ag(CN)₂, where 18‐crown‐6 is 1,4,7,10,13,16‐hexa­oxa­cyclo­octa­decane, is characterized by closely packed linear chains formed by the coordination of the nitrile N atoms of the [Ag(CN)₂]⁻ anions to the K⁺ cations. The K atoms lie on centers of inversion and are additionally bound to the six O atoms of the crown ether.     

Dinuclear Complexes of Copper(I) with Crown Ether‐containing N‐Thiophosphorylated Bis‐thioureas and 2,2′‐Bipyridine or 1,10‐Phenanthroline: Synthesis,Characterization, and Picrate Extraction Properties

Reaction of O,O′‐diisopropylthiophosphoric acid isothiocyanate (iPrO)₂P(S)NCS with 1,10‐diaza‐18‐crown‐6, 1,7‐diaza‐18‐crown‐6, or 1,7‐diaza‐15‐crown‐5 leads to the N‐thiophosphorylated bis‐thioureas N,N′‐bis[C(S)NHP(S)(OiPr)₂]‐1,10‐diaza‐18‐crown‐6 ( H₂L^I ), N,N′‐bis[C(S)NHP(S)(OiPr)₂]‐1,7‐diaza‐18‐crown‐6 ( H₂L^II ) and N,N′‐bis[C(S)NHP(S)(OiPr)₂]‐1,7‐diaza‐15‐crown‐5 ( H₂L^III ). Reaction of the potassium salts of H₂L^I–III with a mixture of CuI and 2,2′‐bipyridine ( bpy ) or 1,10‐phenanthroline ( phen ) in aqueous EtOH/CH₂Cl₂ leads to the dinuclear complexes [Cu₂(bpy)₂L^I–III] and [Cu₂(phen)₂L^I–III] . The structures of these compounds were investigated by ¹H, ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. The crystal structures of H₂L^I and [Cu₂(phen)₂L^I] were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Extraction capacities of the obtained compounds in comparison to the related compounds 1,10‐diaza‐18‐crown‐6, N,N′‐bis[C(=CMe₂)CH₂P(O)(OiPr)₂]‐1,10‐diaza‐18‐crown‐6, N,N′‐bis[C(S)NHP(O)(OiPr)₂]‐1,10‐diaza‐18‐crown‐6 towards the picrate salts LiPic, NaPic, KPic. and NH₄Pic were also studied.     

Synthese,Charakterisierung und Kristallstrukturen der Pseudohalogen‐Kronenether‐Komplexe [K([18]krone‐6)(X)(OPPh3)] (X = N3–, OCN– und SCN–)

Preparation, Characterisation, and Crystal Structures of the Pseudohalogen Crown Ether Complexes [K([18]crown‐6)(X)(OPPh₃)] (X = N₃^–, OCN^– and SCN^–) The potassium crown ether complexes [K([18]Crown‐6)(X)(OPPh₃)] (with X = N₃^–, OCN^– and SCN^–) can be obtained by reaction of KX with 18‐crown‐6 (1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16‐hexaoxacyclooctadecane and triphenylphosphane in THF exposed to UV light. All crown ether complexes were characterized by means of vibrational spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction. They crystallize in the rhombic pointgroup R3m with three molecules in the unit cell: [K([18]crown‐6) (N₃)(OPPh₃)] ( 1 ): lattice constants at 293 K: a = b = 14.213(2) Å; c = 13.951(2) Å; R₁ = 0.0249. [K([18]crown‐6)(OCN)(OPPh₃)] ( 2 ): a = b = 14.239(2) Å; c = 13.8927(14) Å; R₁ = 0.0257. [K([18]crown‐6)(NCS)(OPPh₃)] ( 3 ): a = b = 14.339(2) Å; c = 14.266(2) Å; R₁ = 0.0264.     

Pentazol‐Derivate und daraus entstehende Azide: [O3S—p‐C6H4—N5]— und [O3S—p‐C6H4—N3]— als Kalium‐Kronenether‐Salze

Pentazole Derivates and Azides Formed from them: Potassium‐Crown‐Ether Salts of [O₃S—p‐C₆H₄—N₅]^— and [O₃S—p‐C₆H₄—N₃]^{— —}O₃S—p‐C₆H₄—N₂⁺ was reacted with sodium azide at —50 °C in methanol, yielding a mixture of 4‐pentazolylbenzenesulfonate and 4‐azidobenzenesulfonate (amount‐of‐substance ratio 27:73 according to NMR). By addition of KOH in methanol at —50 °C a mixture of the potassium salts K[O₃S—p‐C₆H₄—N₅] and K[O₃S—p‐C₆H₄—N₃] was precipitated (ratio 60:40). A solution of this mixture along with 18‐crown‐6 in tetrahydrofurane yielded the crystalline pentazole derivate [THF‐K‐18‐crown‐6][O₃S—p‐C₆H₄—N₅]·THF by addition of petrol ether at —70 °C. From the same solution upon evaporation and redissolution in THF/petrol ether the crystalline azide [THF‐K‐18‐crown‐6][O₃S—p‐C₆H₄—N₃]·THF was obtained. A solution of the latter in chloroform/toluene under air yielded [K‐18‐crown‐6][O₃S—p‐C₆H₄—N₃]·1/3H₂O. According to their X‐ray crystal structure determinations [THF‐K‐18‐crown‐6][O₃S—p‐C₆H₄—N₅]·THF and [THF‐K‐18‐crown‐6][O₃S—p‐C₆H₄—N₃]·THF have the same kind of crystal packing. Differences worth mentioning exist only for the atomic positions of the pentazole ring as compared to the azido group and for one THF molecule which is coordinated to the potassium ion; different orientations of the THF molecule take account for the different space requirements of the N₅ and the N₃ group. In [K‐18‐crown‐6][O₃S—p‐C₆H₄—N₃]·1/3H₂O there exists one unit consisting of one [K‐18‐crown‐6]⁺ and one [O₃S‐C₆H₄—N₃]^— ion and another unit consisting of two [O₃S‐C₆H₄—N₃]^— ions joined via two [K‐18‐crown‐6]⁺ ions and one water molecule. The rate constants for the decomposition [O₃S‐C₆H₄—N₅]^— → [O₃S‐C₆H₄—N₃]^— + N₂ in methanol were determined at 0 °C and —20 °C.     

Benzo‐cis‐cyclo­hexano‐14‐crown‐4 and its lithium thio­cyanate complex

The structures of a 14‐crown‐4 ether containing both benzo and cyclo­hexano substituents, 2,6,13,17‐tetraoxatricyclo‐[16.4.0.0^7,12]docosa‐1(18),19,21‐triene, C₁₈H₂₆O₄, and its lith­ium complex, [2,6,13,17‐tetraoxatricyclo[16.4.0.0^7,12]docosa‐1(18),19,21‐triene‐κ⁴O](thio­cyanato‐N)­lith­ium(I), [Li(NCS)‐(C₁₈H₂₆O₄)], are presented. The conformation of the free crown, (I), is not preorganized for cation binding, as its donor dipoles are oriented towards opposite sides of the crown ring. The Li⁺‐crown complex, (II), exhibits two formula units in the asymmetric unit. The binding conformation observed in (II) does not completely reorient the dipoles to one point, resulting in a long Li—O bond length [2.068 (5) and 2.073 (5) Å].     

The synthesis of novel crown ethers,part X, 4‐propyl‐and 3‐ethyl‐4‐methylchromenone‐crown ethers

Starting from ethyl propionylacetate, and ethyl 2‐ethylacetoacetate we prepared 4‐propyl‐7,8‐, 4‐propyl‐6,7‐, 3‐ethyl‐4‐methyl‐7,8‐ and 3‐ethyl‐4‐methyl‐6,7‐dihydroxy‐2H‐chromenones which were allowed to react with the bis‐dihalides or ditosylates of glycols in DMF/Na₂CO₃ to afford the 6,7‐ and 7,8‐chromenone derivatives of 12‐crown‐4, 15‐crown‐4 and 18‐crown‐6. The products were identified using ir, ¹³C and ¹H nmr, ms and high resolution mass spectroscopy. The cation selectivities of chromenone crown ethers with Li⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺ cations were estimated from the steady state emission fluorescence spectra of free and cation complexed chromenone macrocyclic ethers in acetonitrile.     

Pb(18‐crown‐6)Cl2 and Hg(18‐crown‐6)I2: Molecular Dihalides Trapped in a Crown Ether

Pb(18‐crown‐6)Cl₂ and Hg(18‐crown‐6)I₂ are obtained as transparent colourless crystals of needle and hexagonal shape, respectively, by isothermal evaporation of their dichloromethane solutions. Pb(18‐crown‐6)Cl₂ crystallizes with the trigonal crystal system [ , no. 148, a = b = 1176.3(2), c = 1191.8(3) pm, V = 1428.2(5) 10⁶·pm³, Z = 3] whereas Hg(18‐crown‐6)I₂ crystallizes with the orthorhombic crystal system (Pnma, no. 62, a = 1613.9(2) pm, b = 2822.2(5) pm, c = 841.3(1) pm, V = 3832(1)10⁶·pm³, Z = 8). Both compounds are characterized by linear MX₂ (HgI₂ or PbCl₂) molecular units which are encrypted by the crown ether. In both cases, the divalent metal ion resides in the middle of the crown ether resulting in a hexagonal bipyramidal coordination environment for the metal cations. The molecular symmetry comes close to D_3d. Hg(18‐crown‐6)I₂ and Pb(18‐crown‐6)Cl₂ differ in the way the single MX₂@18‐crown‐6 units are packed. Whereas the Hg(18‐crown‐6)I₂ molecules are arranged in a (distorted) cubic closest packing, the Pb(18‐crown‐6)Cl₂ molecules adopt a hexagonal closest packing.     

Bis(adamantan‐1‐aminium) tetrachloridozincate(II) 18‐crown‐6 monohydrate clathrate

The structure of the title compound [systematic name: bis(adamantan‐1‐aminium) tetrachloridozincate(II)–1,4,7,10,13,16‐hexaoxacyclooctadecane–water (1/1/1)], (C₁₀H₁₈N)₂[ZnCl₄]·C₁₂H₂₄O₆·H₂O, consists of supramolecular rotator–stator assemblies and ribbons of hydrogen bonds parallel to [010]. The assemblies are composed of one protonated adamantan‐1‐aminium cation and one crown ether molecule (1,4,7,10,13,16‐hexaoxacyclooctadecane) to give an overall [(C₁₀H₁₈N)(18‐crown‐6)]⁺ cation. The –NH₃⁺ group of the cation nests in the crown and links to the crown‐ether O atoms through N—H...O hydrogen bonds. The 18‐crown‐6 ring adopts a pseudo‐C_3v conformation. The second adamantan‐1‐aminium forms part of ribbons of adamantan‐1‐aminium–water–tetrachloridozincate units which are interconnected by O—H...Cl, N—H...O and N—H...Cl hydrogen bonds via three different continuous rings with R₅⁴(12), R₄³(10) and R₃³(8) motifs.     

ACE applied to the quantitative characterization of benzo‐18‐crown‐6‐ether binding with alkali metal ions in a methanol–water solvent system

ACE was applied to the quantitative evaluation of noncovalent binding interactions between benzo‐18‐crown‐6‐ether (B18C6) and several alkali metal ions, Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺ and Cs⁺, in a mixed binary solvent system, methanol–water (50/50 v/v). The apparent binding (stability) constants (K_b) of B18C6–alkali metal ion complexes in the hydro‐organic medium above were determined from the dependence of the effective electrophoretic mobility of B18C6 on the concentration of alkali metal ions in the BGE using a nonlinear regression analysis. Before regression analysis, the mobilities measured by ACE at ambient temperature and variable ionic strength of the BGE were corrected by a new procedure to the reference temperature, 25°C, and the constant ionic strength, 10 mM . In the 50% v/v methanol–water solvent system, like in pure methanol, B18C6 formed the strongest complex with potassium ion (log K_b=2.89±0.17), the weakest complex with cesium ion (log K_b=2.04±0.20), and no complexation was observed between B18C6 and the lithium ion. In the mixed methanol–water solvent system, the binding constants of the complexes above were found to be about two orders lower than in methanol and about one order higher than in water.     

4‐Methoxyanilinium tetrafluoroborate–dibenzo‐18‐crown‐6 (1/1)

In the structure of the complex of dibenzo‐18‐crown‐6 [systematic name: 2,5,8,15,18,21‐hexaoxatricyclo[20.4.0.0^9,14]hexacosa‐1(26),9,11,13,22,24‐hexaene] with 4‐methoxyanilinium tetrafluoroborate, C₇H₁₀NO⁺·BF₄⁻·C₂₀H₂₄O₆, the protonated 4‐methoxyanilinium (MB‐NH₃⁺) cation forms a 1:1 supramolecular rotator–stator complex with the dibenzo‐18‐crown‐6 molecule via N—H...O hydrogen bonds. The MB‐NH₃⁺ group is attached from the convex side of the bowl‐shaped crown, in contrast with similar ammonium cations that nest in the curvature of the bowl. The cations are associated via C—H...π interactions, while the cations and anions are linked by weak C—H...F hydrogen bonds, forming cation–crown–anion chains parallel to [011].     

[Sb11]3− and [As11]3−: Synthesis and Crystal Structure of Two New Ammoniates containing Trishomocubane‐like Polyanions

The ammoniates [K(18‐crown‐6)(NH₃)₂]₃Sb₁₁ · 5.5NH₃ ( 1 ) and [Cs(18‐crown‐6)]₂CsAs₁₁ · 8NH₃ ( 2 ) (18‐crown‐6 = 18C6: 1,4,7,10,13,16‐Hexaoxacyclooctadecan) were synthesized by either the reaction of K₃Sb₇ with SbPh₃ in liquid ammonia or by extraction of Cs₃As₁₁ with liquid ammonia. Single crystals were isolated and characterized by low temperature X‐ray structure analysis. [K(18‐crown‐6)(NH₃)₂]₃Sb₁₁ · 5.5NH₃ crystallizes in the space group with a = 13.31(2) Å, b = 15.161(2) Å, c = 22.521(3) Å, α = 99.23(1)°, β = 100.99(1)° and γ = 105.03(1)°. [Cs(18‐crown‐6)]₂CsAs₁₁ · 8NH₃ crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with a = 20.009(3) Å, b = 17.024(1) Å, c = 19.838(2) Å and β = 119.732(9)°. While 1 contains isolated [Sb₁₁]^3? anions and [K(18‐crown‐6)(NH₃)₂]⁺ complexes, cesium–arsenic contacts lead to one–dimensionally infinite chains in 2 .     

[Rb4Sn9] — A Low Dimensional Arrangement of Zintl Ions in [Rb(18‐crown‐6)]2Rb2[Sn9](en)1.5

The compound [Rb(18‐crown‐6)]₂Rb₂[Sn₉](en)_1.5 ( 1 ) was synthesized from an alloy of formal composition K₂Rb₂Sn₉ by dissolving in ethylenediamine (en) followed by the addition of 18‐crown‐6 and toluene. 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with a = 10.557(2), b = 25.837(5), c = 20.855(4)Å, β = 102.39°, and Z = 4. The structure consists of [Sn₉]^4— cluster anions, which are connected via Rb atoms to infinite [Rb₄Sn₉] layers. The layers of binary composition are separated by the crown ether molecules. The crown ether molecules are bound by one side via the Rb atoms to the [Sn₉]^4— anions. The other side, which is turned away from the Rb atoms, shows only weak van der Waals interactions to the crown ether molecules of the next layer. Comparison with other compounds of similar composition shows, that the variation of the alkali metals and the complexing organic molecules leads to the low dimensional arrangement of the clusters.