Complexation of the potassium ion by diaza crown compounds in aqueous solutions

The conductance behavior of potassium nitrate in water with and without 1,7,10,16-tetraoxa-4,13-diazacyclooctandecane[2.2] and 4,7,13,16,21,24-hexaoxa-1,10-diazabicyclo-8.8.8-exacosane[2.2.2] macrocyclic ligands have been studied in order to analyze the complexation behavior of potassium cations in water. The absence of the complexation found in the [2.2] system is discussed in terms of the ligand structural features (presence of hydrogen bond donor and acceptor sites). The ion pair association constant of potassium cryptate as obtained from conductance measurements is also reported and discussed.