The associations of macrocyclic ethers with cations in 1,4-dioxane/water mixtures; potentiometric Na+ and K+ binding measurements and computational study

Abstract

This paper deals with the study of different degrees of association constants of Na+ and K+ ions with macrocycles of [12]crown-4, [15]crown-5, [18]crown-6, and Diaza[18]crown-6 in (1:1)dioxane/water mixture using the sodium and potassium ion selective electrodes (ISE). The gas phase molecular mechanical and quantum chemical calculations of [18]crown-6 and diaza[18]crown-6 were performed at MM+, AM1, MINDO/3, HF/6-31G(d), and B3LYP/6-31G(d) levels with the help of Gaussian03 program. Conformational abilities were compared with the ion binding results of ISE measurements. The results were also discussed in terms of oxygen charges and enthalpy stabilized association mechanism.