Potentiometric and AM1d studies of the equilibria between silver(I) and diaza-15-crown and diaza-18-crown ethers with nitrogen in different positions in various solvents

Abstract

Abstract

Complex formation and stability constants between typical and atypical diaza-15-crown and diaza-18-crown ethers with silver(I) were determined in methanol, acetonitrile and propylene carbonate by the potentiometric method. In two of the diaza crown ethers, AA-diaza-15 and AA-diaza-18-crown, two nitrogens in the macrocyclic ring replaced two consecutive oxygens instead of two opposite ones in the two other diaza crown ethers. It was found that complexes of 1:1 and 1:2 metal-to-ligand stoichiometry were formed. The solvent composition and cavity size of crown ethers significantly influences the stability constants of complexes. AA-diaza-15 and AA-diaza-18-crown ethers were examined for comparison with diaza-15-crown and diaza-18-crown ethers. AA-diaza crown ethers formed less stable 1:1 metal-to-ligand complexes with silver(I) than typical diaza crown ethers but their ability to form 1:2 metal-to-ligand complexes was stronger. The energetically most favorable structures of the 1:1 metal-to-ligand complexes were calculated and visualized by the AM1d method at the semiempirical level of theory.

Keywords:

• Azacrown ethers
• Equilibrium
• Silver(I)

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from Grant DS/8210-4-0177-12 from the University of Gdansk and KBN NN204 122640.