A new method of determining the stability constants for aqueous crown polyether-alkylammonium ion complexes is presented. The stability constants (log K) obtained are 1.22 for NH4 +, 0.99 for EtNH3 + 0.87 for Et2NH2 +, 0.74 for Et3NH+, 1.13 for MeNH3 +, and 0.94 for n-BuNH3 +. While these values are qualitatively similar to those determined in organic solvents, interesting quantitative differences are observed. Specific H bonding between the crown ethers and the alkylammonium ions appears to be much less important in water than in less polar solvents. © 1979, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.