Binding of alkali metal ions by cyclic polyethers: significance in ion transport processes.

Values for the formation constant (log K), the change in enthalpy (triangle upH degrees ), and the change in entropy (triangle upS degrees ) have been determined for the interaction of lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, and cesium ions with the two isomers of the cyclic polyether, 2,5,8,15,18,21-hexaoxatricyclo[20.4.0.0(9,14)] hexacosane. The stability order of these metal ions with either isomer is identical to the permeability order for these same metal ions with the structurally related antibiotics, valinomycin and monactin.