Complexation of the La(III) cation by p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene A 139La NMR study
The complexation of La(III) by the water-soluble p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene was thermodynamically characterized by 139La NMR. The 139La NMR data are consistent with the formation of a 1:1 complex resulting from electro static interactions between the sulfonato groups and La(III). The complexation is entropy-driven and is characterized by a positive standard enthalpy (ΔrH° = 11.0 ± 0.5 kJ mol1) and a positive standard entropy (ΔrS° = 108 ± 2 J K1 mol1), which are in very good agreement with the ones determined previously by microcalorimetry. The linear relationship between the 139La NMR linewidth of the free and of the complexed cation, obtained at temperatures ranging from 290 to 340 K, excludes the formation of complexes or aggregates other than the 1:1 complex. It shows also that upon complexation, the effective radius of La(III) undergoes an increase of 50%, related to the replacement of water molecules of the hydrated cation by sulfonato groups of the ligand.Key words: complexation, water-soluble calixarene, p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene, 139La NMR, lanthanum.