What Are Some Specific Examples of Crown Ethers Used in Catalysis?
Some well-known crown ethers include 18-crown-6, 15-crown-5, and 12-crown-4. Among these, 18-crown-6 is particularly effective in complexing with potassium ions, while 15-crown-5 is more suited for sodium ions, and 12-crown-4 for lithium ions. These crown ethers are often used in various catalytic processes, such as the synthesis of ethers, esters, and amides.