A Theoretical Investigation on the Wurster's Crown Analogue of 18-Crown-6

Conductometric Studies of Thermodynamics of 1,10-Didecyl-1,10-diaza-18-crown-6 Complexes with , , , , , , and Ions in Acetonitrile, Methanol, and Ethanol Solutions

The complexation reactions between 1,10-didecyl-1,10-diaza-18-crown-6 (DD18C6) and , , , , , and ions were studied conductometrically in acetonitrile, methanol, and ethanol at various temperatures. The formation constants of the resulting 1 : 1 complexes were calculated from the computer fitting of the molar conductance-mole ratio data at different temperatures. In the solvents studied, the stability of the resulting complexes varied in the order acetonitrile ≫ methanol > ethanol. The enthalpy and entropy changes of the complexation reactions were evaluated from the temperature dependence of formation constants. The versus plot of thermodynamic data obtained shows a linear correlation indicating the existence of enthalpy-entropy compensation in the complexation reactions. The ab initio studies calculated at B3LYP/6-31G level of theory indicate that the binding energy of complexes decreases with increasing cation size in the gas phase. The experimental data obtained in the solvents show different trends so that the stability constant of Li+and Mg2+complexes is lower than other alkali and alkaline earth ions, respectively due to the solvation of these small ions in solution.

Electron Transfer vs Coordination Chemistry: Isomer-Specific Binding of HgII by an ortho-Wurster's Thiacrown Ether

Isomeric p- and o-phenylenediamine-containing macrocyclic hosts (Wurster's thiacrown ethers L1 and L2, respectively) were prepared and studied as Hg(II) ionophores. The distinct electrochemical properties of the two hosts allowed for the formation of a coordination compound with the ortho-Wurster's thiacrown ether but not the para isomer. In the latter case, the Hg(II) ion served as an oxidant in an electron-transfer reaction with the host. Solutions of the Hg(II) complex of L2 were studied by 13C NMR spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry and revealed a strong interaction between the redox-active phenylenediamine subunit and the bound metal cation. An X-ray analysis confirmed the participation of the three macrocyclic S atoms and both phenylenediamine N atoms in the stabilization of the complex.