Metal ion complexation by acyclic polyethers with lipophilic amide, thioamide, and amine end groups

A series of acyclic polyethers with lipophilic amide, thioamide, and amine end groups was synthesized. Metal ion transport across bulk liquid membranes and measurement of thermodynamic parameters for ligand-metal ion complexation by titration calorimetry show strong selectivity for complexation of lead ion over other metal ion species for the diamide ligand. Lead ion complexation by the acyclic polyether diamide involves the amide oxygens and silver ion coordination by a dithioamide analog involves the thioamide sulfurs. With a proper length of the ethereal linkage, the ligand wraps around the metal ion in a pseudocyclic fashion.