ESR investigation of alkali metal complexes of galvinoxyl-labeled benzo-15-crown-5 in frozen solution

A stable galvinoxyl derivative (1) of benzo-15-crown-5 was prepared and the complex formation between the spin labeled crown ether 1 and the alkali metal and ammonium salts was studied by the ESR technique. Existence of the (2:1) complex of 1 with potassium, rubidium, and ammonium salts was confirmed by the observation of the triplet ESR spectra in ethanol rigid matrix at 77K. Essentially the same g- and D-tensor values are observed for all the (2:1) complexes, indicating similar conformation of the ligand mole cule 1. The zero-field splitting parameters (D and E) are calculated on the basis of the spin distribution of 1 and the assumed molecular structures for the (2:1) complex. By comparing the observed D and E parameters with the calculated ones, the structure of the (2:1) complex in ethanol rigid matrix is discussed. On the other hand, the sodium complexes of 1 show a slightly asymmetric single line, suggesting the (1:1) complex formation btween 1 and the sodium salts. No anions (SCN-, Br-, and I-) have any appreciable effect on the ESR spectra of both the (2:1) and (1:1) complexes. (author)