Polyether carboxylic acids incorporating a benzodioxinic subunit: synthesis and complexing ability of sodium and potassium

Abstract

We report here the synthesis of new polyoxygenated macrocyclic derivatives with a benzodioxinic subunit and a carboxylic side chain (2, 3), along with some of their corresponding acyclic polyethers (1). Formation constants of sodium and potassium complexes with both the acid and anion forms of these compounds were obtained from potentiometric measurements. The enhancement of both complexing ability and selectivity afforded by the presence of a carboxylic side chain is discussed. Keywords: polyether carboxylic acids, macrocycles, benzo-1,4-dioxin, sodium and potassium complexes, solvent methanol.