Properties of cis- and trans-bis(crown ether)s for complexation and extraction of alkali metal picrates

Abstract

The properties of cis- and trans-bis(crown ether)s containing benzo-15-crown-5 or benzo-18-crown-6 units as complexants and extractants for alkali metal picrates have been studied. The optical spectra suggest that the cis-bis(crown ether)s can form intramolecular 2:1 crown ether unit/cation complexes with particular metal cations easily, while the trans-bis(crown ether)s can form only 1:1 crown ether unit/cation complexes because of the unfavourable trans configuration for the formation of the 2:1 complexes. It was found that the cis isomer possesses much higher extractive power than the trans isomer for the metal cations, which also reflects their complexing properties. The extraction equilibrium constants and thermodynamic quantities have been also evaluated, and the effect of the stereochemical structure of the bis(crown ether) on the complexing and extractive properties is discussed.