APPLICATION OF MACROCYLIC POLYETHERS

Artificial macrocyclic polyethers were synthesized and applied as ion-selective electrode neutral carriers in PVC electrode membranes, ion-chromatographic packing materials, extractants and adsorbents for ion separations, phase-transfer catalysts for organic reactions, surfactants, liquid crystals and ion-transport carriers through liquid membranes. Ion selective electrodes such as K+, Na+, UO22+, Cs+, Pb2+ and Fe3+, Hg2+ and Ag+ ion electrodes based on crown ether - phosphotungstic acid (PW) precipitates and dithio crown ethers respectively were prepared and showed good sensitivity and selectivity. Crown ether - PW precipitates were also applied as adsorbents for adsorptions of rare-earth ions and some common heavy metal ions. Some rare-earth ions were found to be easily extracted with crown ethers especially 15-crown-5. Poly(styrene/divinyl benzene)-cryptand 22 resin was synthesized and applied as a bifunctional stationary phase of ion chromatography for separations of both cations and anions even some organic carboxylate geometric isomers A so called ''drift-type' crown ether catalyst and some common crown ether catalysts were applied to catalyze organic oxidation, reduction, substitution and anionic polymerization. The effect of salts on micellar formation and stability,of liquid crystals of some crown-ether surfactants were investigated. Some special crown-ether carriers were also prepared and applied for Na+, K+ and Me2+ ion transport through liquid membranes.