Crystallisation of inorganic salts containing 18-crown-6 from ionic liquids

Reaction of the zwitterionic imidazolium salt [(CH₂COOH)(CH₂COO)im] with K₂CO₃ or BaO in the presence of 18-crown-6 affords the salts [(CH₂COO)₂im][K(18-crown-6)] and [(CH₂COO)₂im]₂[Ba(18-crown-6)], respectively. Recrystallisation of these crown complexes from the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide, [emim][Tf₂N], at a water interface, results in the formation of new salts in which the original anion is replaced by Tf₂N⁻. Single crystal X-ray diffraction has been performed on two of the salts. Notably, the potassium structure containing 18-crown-6 and Tf₂N⁻ forms a linear chain coordination polymer that can be regarded as metal organic frameworks (MOFs). Moreover, this study provides insights into the separation of group I and II metal ions using crown ethers in combination with ionic liquids.     

Substituent control of selective alkali metal ion extraction by amidocrown η-butadienyl complexes of molybdenum(II)

Substituted η³-butadienyl complexes containing amide-armed crowns (X) of general formula [MoCl(CO)₂(η³-CH₂C(COX)CCH₂)(phen)]_n (phen=1,10-phenanthroline) were prepared and investigated for their ability to extract alkali metal ions from a mixed phase system. Reaction of the chlorocarbonyl precursor (1) with 1-aza-15-crown-5, 4^′-aminobenzo-15-crown-5, 2-aminomethyl-15-crown-5, 4^′-aminobenzo-18-crown-6 or 2-aminomethyl-18-crown-6 gave monomeric complexes (n=1), and addition of sodium tetraphenylboron to the 15-crown-5-substituted complexes gave the corresponding sodium salts. Dinuclear complexes (n=2) were formed by reaction of 1 and 1,7-diaza-15-crown-5 or 4,4^′(5^′)-diaminobenzo-15-crown-5. Comparison of amidobenzo- and 2-amidomethyl-15-crown-5-substituted complexes showed enhanced sodium transport properties for the latter, and spectroscopic and molecular modeling studies suggested complexation occurred by concerted action of the amide and crown.     

Syntheses, crystal structures and properties of [K(2,2,2-crypt)]3K(HP7)2 · en, [K(18-crown-6)]2HP7 and [K(db18-crown-6)]2HP7 · toluene

The polyphosphide anions in ethylenediamine/2,2,2-crypt, ethylenediamine/18-crown-6 and ethylenediamine/db18-crown-6 solutions are isolated as K[K(2,2,2-crypt)]₃(HP₇)₂ · en (1), [K(18-crown-6)]₂HP₇ (2) and [K(db18-crown-6)]₂HP₇ · toluene (3). The mono-protonation of the P₇ cluster is observed in all three compounds. The (HP₇)²⁻ units are stabilized by naked potassium in 1 and complexing potassium in 2 and 3. The significant C-H?P hydrogen bonding interaction is observed in 3, which is responsible for the 3-D supramolecular structure. The 3-D supramolecular structure is also contributed by the η²-interaction between K⁺ and the phenyl. The ³¹P and ¹H NMR spectra of 1-3 indicate that the polyphosphide anions are very fluxional in solution.     

Structural, molecular mechanics, and DFT study of cadmium(II) in its crown ether complexes with axially coordinated ligands, and of the binding of thiocyanate to cadmium(II)

The role of relativistic effects (RE) in the structures of Cd(II) complexes with crown ethers, and the reason the ‘soft’ Cd(II) strongly prefers to bind to SCN⁻ through N, are considered. The synthesis and structures of [Cd(18-crown-6)(thiourea)₂] (ClO₄)₂.18-crown-6 (1) and [Cd(Cy₂-18-crown-6)(NCS)₂] (2) are reported. (18-crown-6 = 1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaoxacyclooctadecane; Cy₂-18-crown-6 = cis-anti-cis-2,5,8,15,18,21-hexaoxatricylo[20.4.0.0(9,14)]hexacosane). In 1 Cd is coordinated in the plane of the crown which has close to D_3d symmetry, with long Cd-O bonds averaging 2.688 Å. The two thiourea molecules form relatively short Cd-S bonds that average 2.468 Å, with an S-Cd-S angle of 164.30°. This structure conforms with the idea that Cd(II) can adopt a near-linear structure involving two covalently-bound donor atoms (the S-donors) with short Cd-S bonds, which resembles gas-phase structures for species such as CdCl₂. The structure of 2 is similar, with the two SCN⁻ ligands N-bonded to Cd, with short Cd-N bonds of 2.106 Å, and N-Cd-N angle of 180°. The crown in 2 forms long Cd-O bonds that average 2.698 Å. Molecular mechanics calculations suggest that a main reason Cd(II) prefers to bind to SCN⁻ through N is that when bound through S, the small Cd-S-C angle, which is typically close to 100°, brings the ligand into close contact with other ligands present, and causes steric destabilization. In contrast, the Cd-N-C angles for SCN⁻ coordinated through N are much larger, being 171.4° in 2, which keeps the SCN⁻ groups well clear of the crown ether. DFT (density functional theory) calculations are used to generate the structures of [Cd(18-crown-6)(H₂O)₂]²⁺ (3) and [Cd(18-crown-6)Cl₂] (4). In 3, the Cd(II) is bound to only three O-donors of the macrocycle, with Cd-O bonds averaging 2.465 Å. The coordinated waters form an O-Cd-O angle of 139.47°, with Cd-O bonds of 2.295 Å. In contrast, for 4, the Cd is placed centrally in the cavity of the D_3d symmetry crown, with long Cd-O bonds averaging 2.906 Å. The Cl groups form a Cl-Cd-Cl angle of 180°, with short Cd-Cl bonds of 2.412 Å. With ionically bound groups on the axial sites of[Cd(18-crown-6)X₂] complexes, such as with X = H₂O in 3, the Cd(II) does not adopt linear geometry involving the two X groups, with long Cd-O bonds to the O-donors of the macrocycle. With covalently-bound X = Cl in 4, short Cd-Cl bonds and a linear [Cl-Cd-Cl] unit results, with long Cd-O bonds to the crown ether.     

Synthesis, structure and thermochemical behavior of bis-(1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoro-2,4-pentanedionato)-(1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaoxa-cyclooctadecane)-strontium in comparison with its structural and thermochemical analogous

The trans-[M(18-crown-6)(C₅HO₂F₆)₂] (M = Ca, Sr, Ba, Pb) complexes have been synthesized and identified. The crystal structure of the Sr complex has been determined by X-ray diffraction. The basic structural unit is the mononuclear complex trans-[Sr(18-crown-6)(C₅HO₂F₆)₂]. The thermal properties of the complexes have been correlated to their structure. The melting and decomposition ranges of the Ca, Sr and Ba complexes and their sublimation temperatures at ∼10⁻² mm Hg have been determined. Experimental evidence is presented that the complexes are similar in volatility.     

Synthesis and x-ray crystal structure of a tin(IV) tetrahalide adduct with a crown ether

The polymeric structure of the complex, [SnCl₄(H₂O)₂]18-crown-6·2H₂O, prepared by the addition of a solution of SnCl₄ to 18-crown-6, has been determined by X-ray analysis. The structure has been solved by three-dimensional Patterson-Fourier synthesis to a conventional R-factor of 0.13, by using 1394 reflections with I>3σ(I). The crystals are monoclinic, with a = 15.753(3), b = 15.072(3), c = 12.209(4), β = 97.77°(1.0), z = 4, and space group P2_1/^a. The tin atom is octahedrally coordinated to four chlorine atoms and two water molecules in cis positions. A very complex network of hydrogen bonding links together the tin coordination octahedron, the two water hydration molecules, and the two crystallographically-different half crown-ethers.     

Hydrolytic stability of SnCl4 and GaCl3 in the formation of [cis-SnCl4(H2O)2] · 18-crown-6 · 2H2O and [[2,2,2]cryptand + 2H][GaCl4]2

The combination of anhydrous SnCl₄ with 18-crown-6 in aqueous conditions results in formation of the non-hydrolysed product [cis-SnCl₄(H₂O)₂] · 18-crown-6 · 2H₂O. The X-ray crystal structure shows extensive intermolecular hydrogen bonding involving the cis-octahedral SnCl₄(H₂O)₂ units, the uncoordinated water molecules and the crown ether. Similarly, [2,2,2]cryptand reacts with an aqueous solution formed by adding anhydrous GaCl₃ to slightly acidic water, affording [[2,2,2]cryptand + 2H⁺][GaCl₄]₂.     

Coordination compounds of divalent lanthanides with crown ethers

New complexes LnI₂·18-crown-6 (Ln-Sm, Tm, Dy, Nd) and LnJ₂·dibenzo-18-crown-6 (Ln-Sm, Tm) were synthesized using the solutions of LnI₂ in THF. The compounds obtained oxidize quickly in air, but are relatively stable in an inert atmosphere. The Tm²⁺ complex is decomposed by light. The compounds obtained are poorly soluble in THF, the Sm²⁺ and Tm²⁺ compounds are soluble in CH₃CN, forming solutions with a period of half oxidation of 170 h and 6 min, respectively. Iodide ions of the complexes can be substituted for Cl^? during treatment of the compounds by solution of LiCl in THF. The reflection spectra of the compounds synthesized are similar to the absorption spectra of Ln²⁺ in THF, although a shift of bands towards the short wave region is observed.The study of the Ln²⁺ oxidation kinetics in H₂O, CH₃CN, THF in the presence of crown ethers has shown that their stability is influenced not only by the type of solvent, relative solubility and stability of complexes Ln²⁺ and Ln³⁺, but also by phenyl groups, and by decreasing stability of Dy²⁺ and Nd²⁺.     

Experimental simulation of the environment of the δ opioid receptor. A 500 MHz study of enkephalins in CDCl3

Complexes of [Met⁵] and [Leu⁵]enkephalin amides with 18-crown-6-ether have been studied in CDCl₃ solution by means of 500 MHz NMR spectroscopy, in order to simulate two of the features of the opioid receptor: the apolar environment and the binding of the charged N atom. Contrary to all previus studies in polar solvents the NH resonances are spread in a huge range (ca. 4 ppm) as in the spectra of rigid cyclic peptides. The two observed intramolecular hydrogen bonds are consistent with the existence of a single, folded, conformation, i.e. a C₁₀β-turn in which the Phe⁴ NH is linked to the Tyr¹ CO group.     

Molecular simulation of Tyr105 phosphorylated pyruvate kinase M2 to understand its structure and dynamics

Microstructure of dibenzo-18-crown-6 (DB18C6) and DB18C6/Li⁺ complex in different solvents (water, methanol, chloroform, and nitrobenzene) have been analyzed using radial distribution function (RDF), coordination number (CN), and orientation profiles, in order to identify the role of solvents on complexation of DB18C6 with Li⁺, using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. In contrast to aqueous solution of LiCl, no clear solvation pattern is found around Li⁺ in the presence of DB18C6. The effect of DB18C6 has been visualized in terms of reduction in peak height and shift in peak positions of g_Li-Ow. The appearance of damped oscillations in velocity autocorrelation function (VACF) of complexed Li⁺ described the high frequency motion to a “rattling” of the ion in the cage of DB18C6. The solvent-complex interaction is found to be higher for water and methanol due to hydrogen bond (HB) interactions with DB18C6. However, the stability of DB18C6/Li⁺ complex is found to be almost similar for each solvent due to weak complex-solvent interactions. Further, Li⁺ complex of DB18C6 at the liquid/liquid interface of two immiscible solvents confirm the high interfacial activity of DB18C6 and DB18C6/Li⁺ complex. The complexed Li⁺ shows higher affinity for water than organic solvents; still they remain at the interface rather than migrating toward water due to higher surface tension of water as compared to organic solvents. These simulation results shed light on the role of counter-ions and spatial orientation of species in pure and hybrid solvents in the complexation of DB18C6 with Li⁺. Graphical Abstract

DB18C6/Li⁺ complex in pure solvents (water, methanol, chloroform, and nitrobenzene) and water/nitrobenzene interface     

Secondary coordination of dichlorodioxomolybdenum(VI) to crown ethers

The reactions of MoO₂Cl₂ with 15-crown-5 and 18-crown-6 in ether solution produced crystals of [MoO₂Cl₂(H₂O)₂] · (15-crown-5) and [MoO₂Cl₂(H₂O)₂] · (H₂O)₂ · (18-crown-6) due to adventitious water. Further hydrolysis lead to crystals of [(H₃O) · (crown)]₂[Mo₆O₁₉]. The structures of the three complexes are briefly discussed.     

Novel benzimidazol-2-ylidene carbene precursors and their silver(I) complexes: Potential antimicrobial agents

Novel benzimidazolium salts were synthesized as N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) precursors, these NHC precursors were metallated with Ag₂O in dichloromethane at room temperature to give novel silver(I)–NHC complexes. Structures of these benzimidazolium salts and silver(I)–NHC complexes were characterized on the basis of elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, IR and LC–MS spectroscopic techniques. A series of benzimidazolium salts and silver(I)–NHC complexes were tested against standard bacterial strains: Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the fungal strains: Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis. The results showed that benzimidazolium salts inhibited the growth of all bacteria and fungi strains and all silver(I)–NHC complexes performed good activities against different microorganisms.     

Bridged dinucleating N-heterocyclic carbene ligands and their double helical mercury(II) complexes

A series of six 3,6-bis(imidazolium-3-yl)pyridazine derivatives with different imidazole-N substituents have been synthesized and isolated as the salts [H₂L]Cl₂ (1a)-(6a) and [H₂L](PF₆)₂ (1b)-(6b). Solid state structures have been determined crystallographically for eleven out of the twelve compounds, revealing diverse hydrogen bonding patterns that involve the imidazolium-C²H units and the anions. N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) mercury(II) complexes [Hg₂L₂](PF₆)₄ (7)-(9) are readily formed in good yields from ligand precursors [H₂L](PF₆)₂ and Hg(OAc)₂, as long as imidazole-N substituents are not too bulky. X-ray crystallography reveals double helical bimetallic arrangements for the stable [Hg₂L₂]⁴⁺ cations. Ligand scrambling in [Hg₂L₂]⁴⁺ occurs only in the presence of free carbene precursor, presumably via an associative mechanism.     

Silver(I) complexes of dibenzo-18-crown-6-ether having cation-π and π-π interactions

Three silver(I) complexes of dibenzo-18-crown-6-ether (DB[18]C6), [Ag(DB[18]C6)(ClO₄)](THF) (1), [Ag(DB[18]6)(CF₃SO₃)]₂(acetone)₂ (2) and [Ag(DB[18]C6)(CF₃COO)]₂(AgCF₃COO)₂ (3) have been synthesized in different solvents and characterized structurally. In each complex, silver ions prefer an octahedral coordination geometry and form close dinuclear complex with DB[18]C6 based on cation-π interaction in η²-fashion. In particular, the coordination unit involving σ bonding at an oxygen group and π-π bonding between two benzene rings is quite unique.     

Thermodynamics and coordination characteristics of the hydronium-uranium(VI)-dicyclohexano-24-crown-8 extraction complex

The extraction equilibrium of the hydronium-uranium(VI)-dicyclohexano-24-crown-8 complex was carried out in the crown ether1,2-dichloroethaneHCl aqueous solution system at different temperatures. The extraction complex has the overall composition (L)₂·(H₃O⁺·χH₂O)₂·UO₂Cl₄²⁻ (L = dicyclohexano-24-crown-8). The values of the extraction equilibrium constants (K_ex) increase steadily with a decrease in temperature: 13.5 (298 K), 7.96 (301 K), 4.20 (303 K) and 2.07 (305 K). A plot of log K_ex against 1/T shows a straight line. The value of the enthalpy change, ΔH°, was calculated from the slope and equals −212 kJ mol⁻¹. The value of the entropy change, ΔS°, was calculated from ΔH° and K_ex and equals −690 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, whereas ΔG° = −6.45 kJ mol⁻¹. Comparing these thermodynamic parameters with those of the dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 isomer A [1] (ΔS° = −314 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, ΔH° = −101 kJ mol⁻¹ and ΔG° = −8.37 kJ mol⁻¹), it can be seen that ΔH° and ΔS° are more negative for the former than for the latter, and both are enthalpy-stabilized complexes. The molecular structure of the complex has the feature that there are two H₅O₂⁺ ions in it, in contrast to the H₃O⁺ ions in the dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 isomer A complex [1]. Each of the H₅O₂⁺ ions is held in the crown ether cavity by four hydrogen bonds. The H₅O₂⁺ ion has a central bond. The uranium atom forms UO₂Cl₄²⁻ as a counterion away from the crown ether. The formation of this complex is in good agreement with more negative entropy change and less negative free energy change, as mentioned above.     

Solvent-extraction complex of uranium(VI) with cis,syn, cis-dicyclohexano-18-crown-6

The extraction of U(VI)with dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 (mixed isomers or isomer A) from HCl medium is effective and selective, and can be used for separating and analysing uranium and thorium. However, little is known of the properties of the extraction complex of uranium with crown-ether in organic phase. In this paper we report the preparation, characteristic and structure of the crystalline extraction complex IaUO₂Cl₂HClH₂O, Iabeing isomer A of dicyclohexano-18-crown-6.After extracting uranium(VI) from aqueous hydrochloric acid solution with Ia in 1,2-dichloroethane, the crystalline product of the extraction complex was prepared from the organic phase by diluting with a non-polar solvent at 25 °C. The content of uranium, crown-ether and HCl was determined. The IR spectrum of the crystals shows that the strong hydronium-crown ether/oxygen hydrogen bond absorption is found in the region 2300–2400 cm⁻¹. The chemical shift in the range 9–12 ppm was observed. The ¹H NMR signal of hydronium protons appears at 9.890 ppm. The results of assay correspond to the formula Ia₂·(H₃O⁺)₂·UO₂Cl₄²⁻.Crystal structure of the extraction complex has been determined by X-ray crystallography. Crystals are monoclinic, space group C_2/c (No. 15) a=32.464, b=10.203, c=21.616 Å, β=119.73° and Z=4. In the complex each of the two H₃O⁺ cations is anchored in the crown-ether cavity by three stronger hydrogen bonds (distances approximately 2.65 Å), whereas uranium forms UO₂Cl₄²⁻ with Cl⁻ as counterion about 8 Å away from the H₃O⁺.     

Ion transport through liquid membrane by cyclic octapeptides

Cation transport through a chloroform liquid membrane by cyclic octapeptides—cyclo(Leu-Pro)₄, cyclo(Phe-Pro)₄, and cyclo[Lys(Z)-Pro]₄—was investigated. All of these cyclic octapeptides transported K⁺ and Ba²⁺, and the rate of cation transport was correlated with the ability to extract cations from the aqueous phase to the chloroform phase. Among them, cyclo (Leu-Pro)₄ was the most efficient and transported K⁺ and Ba²⁺ selectively from other alkali and alkaline earth cations, respectively. The rate of K⁺ transport by cyclo(Leu-Pro)₄ was about one-third as fast as that by dicyclohexyl 18-crown-6. Picrate anion transport against its concentration gradient was observed by cyclo(Leu-Pro)₄, which is conjugated with the selective transport of K⁺. Complex formation in a liposome between cyclo(Leu-Pro)₄ and Ba²⁺ was observed, but the binding constant was low.     

Solvent influence in the formation of normal and abnormal carbene complexes in reactions of imidazolium salts with [Ir(H)2(PPh3)2(OCMe2)2]BF4

Abnormal and normal carbene complexes are formed in reactions of 2-pyridylmethylimidazolium salts with [Ir(H)₂(PPh₃)₂(OCMe₂)₂]BF₄ at room temperature in tetrahydrofuran (THF) or dichloromethane (CH₂Cl₂). Reactions in THF lead to the formation of abnormal carbene (C-5 bound), while reactions in CH₂Cl₂ lead to formation of normal carbene (C-2 bound).     

Comparative Toxicities of Salts on Microbial Processes in Soil

Soil salinization is a growing threat to global agriculture and carbon sequestration, but to date it remains unclear how microbial processes will respond. We studied the acute response to salt exposure of a range of anabolic and catabolic microbial processes, including bacterial (leucine incorporation) and fungal (acetate incorporation into ergosterol) growth rates, respiration, and gross N mineralization and nitrification rates. To distinguish effects of specific ions from those of overall ionic strength, we compared the addition of four salts frequently associated with soil salinization (NaCl, KCl, Na₂SO₄, and K₂SO₄) to a nonsaline soil. To compare the tolerance of different microbial processes to salt and to interrelate the toxicity of different salts, concentration-response relationships were established. Growth-based measurements revealed that fungi were more resistant to salt exposure than bacteria. Effects by salt on C and N mineralization were indistinguishable, and in contrast to previous studies, nitrification was not found to be more sensitive to salt exposure than other microbial processes. The ion-specific toxicity of certain salts could be observed only for respiration, which was less inhibited by salts containing SO₄²⁻ than Cl⁻ salts, in contrast to the microbial growth assessments. This suggested that the inhibition of microbial growth was explained solely by total ionic strength, while ion-specific toxicity also should be considered for effects on microbial decomposition. This difference resulted in an apparent reduction of microbial growth efficiency in response to exposure to SO₄²⁻ salts but not to Cl⁻ salts; no evidence was found to distinguish K⁺ and Na⁺ salts.     

Synthesis and properties of crown ether isocyanide silver(I) derivatives: X-ray structure of a self-assembled 22-membered diargentacycle

The crown ether isocyanide CNR (R = benzo-15-crown-5) reacts with silver(I) salts in the appropriate molar ratio to give [Ag(CNR)_n]X (n = 1, 2; X = CF₃SO₃, BF₄). X-ray diffraction studies of [Ag(CF₃SO₃)(CNR)] show the molecules associated in a dinuclear manner with an antiparallel orientation. The silver centers are tetracoordinated to the isocyanide and to three oxygens, one from the triflate anion and two from the second crown ether in the dimer. The molecular structure displays five cycles: the two 15-crown ether rings, two five-membered argentacycles and a 22-membered diargentacycle. The crown ether in these complexes is able to detect alkaline cations from M(CF₃SO₃) (M = Li, Na, K) by NMR in d₆-acetone solutions, and to distinguish Li⁺-Na⁺ from K⁺.