Chapter 10: Problem 6

What are crown ethers and cryptates?

Short Answer

Expert verified

Crown ethers are cyclic organic compounds with multiple ether groups and are often used as phase-transfer catalysts. Cryptates, or cryptands, are 3D analogs of crown ethers, with enhanced ion-binding ability, offering higher stability of host-guest complex.

Step by step solution

Define Crown Ethers

Crown ethers are cyclic organic compounds that contain several ether groups (-O-) in their structure. The most common crown ethers are those that simply include ethylene oxide units, i.e., \( -CH_2CH_2O- \) units. Crown ethers are named for the number of atoms in the cycle. For instance, 18-crown-6 has 18 atoms in the cycle - 12 of those atoms are carbon and 6 are oxygen atoms.

Explain the Function of Crown Ethers

Crown ethers function as phase-transfer catalysts. They have a particular affinity for certain cations, including Li+, Na+, K+, and others, depending on the size of the ether. For example, the crown ether 18-crown-6 fits the potassium ion perfectly.

Define Cryptates

Cryptates are more complex versions of crown ethers. They are three-dimensional analogs of crown ethers and are often referred to as cryptands. Cryptands enable the encapsulation of ions, effectively hiding, or ‘encrypting’ them – hence the term cryptand.

Explain the Function of Cryptates

Cryptands, unlike crown ethers that can bind only one ion, can bind to more than one ion, which results in increased host-guest complex stability. They are used extensively in supramolecular chemistry due to their ability to selectively bind to specific ions.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

Recommended explanations on Chemistry Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

What are crown ethers and cryptates?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Define Crown Ethers

Explain the Function of Crown Ethers

Define Cryptates

Explain the Function of Cryptates

One App. One Place for Learning.

Most popular questions from this chapter

Recommended explanations on Chemistry Textbooks

Chemical Analysis

Nuclear Chemistry

Inorganic Chemistry

Kinetics

Physical Chemistry

The Earths Atmosphere

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.