Determination of complex stabilities with nearly insoluble host molecules. Part II. Complexation of alkali and alkaline earth metal cations with dibenzo crown ethers in aqueous solution

Abstract

An experimental method was developed to determine the stability constants with nearly insoluble ligands in homogeneous solution. This method was tested using dibenzo crown ethers, which have a very low solubility in aqueous solution. The stability constants for the complexation of alkali and alkaline earth metal cations with different dibenzo crown ethers were determined in aqueous solution. Owing to the complex formation the total concentration of the ligand in solution increases. Dibenzo crown ethers absorb in the ultraviolet spectral range, hence the increase in the ligand concentration can be easily detected. Without the knowledge of the molar absorptivities of the ligands and of the corresponding complexes and of the solubilities, the stabilities of the complexes formed can be calculated under certain assumptions. To verify these assumptions, the solubilities of the dibenzo crown ethers and the molar absorptivities were determined. The kinetics of the solubilization process of the ligands was followed by spectrophotometric measurements. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.