Multiple cation binding by bola-amphiphilic crown ethers: Assessment by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry

Abstract Bola-amphiphiles having two aza-18-crown-6 ether rings attached by a covalent spacer (O—O) and an analogous tris (macrocycle) (O—O—O) have been prepared and their cation complexation behavior has been assessed by fast atom bombardment and collisionally activated dissociation tandem mass spectrometry; the key finding is that two cations may simultaneously be complexed by a two- or three-crown system and that this complexation may also involve an anion.