Complexes of 18-crown-6 macrocyclic ethers containing both an alkali metal phenoxide salt and phenol. Crown:salt:phenol ratios of 1:1:1 and 1:1:2

Sodium and potassium phenoxide, in the presence of one equivalent of dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 (cis–anti–cis isomer) and dibenzo-18-crown-6, form complexes that have a ratio of 1:1:1 (crown:salt:phenol) in ethereal solvents containing excess phenol. On the other hand, complexes having 1:1:2 ratios (crown:salt:phenol) are obtained under the same conditions when the macrocycle is 18-crown-6 or dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 (cis–syn–cis isomer). When only one equivalent of phenol is present, then 1:1:1 complexes are obtained with 18-crown-6 and dicyclohexano- 18-crown-6 (cis–syn–cis isomer). No complexes containing only the metal salts were isolated from these solutions. The infrared spectral data obtained from the complexes show that the phenol hydroxyl hydrogens in the complexes form either strong or very strong hydrogen bonds. The nuclear magnetic resonance chemical shifts of the phenol protons in the complexes have been obtained from deuterated dimethoxyethane solutions. Comparisons are made with the chemical ...