Complex formation of p-nitrocalix[6]arene with rare earth metal ions.

p-Nitrocalix[6]arene (CALX-N6, L) formed a 1:1 metal complex, ML, with light rare earth metal ions (M3+), such as La3+, Pr3+ and Nd3+ except Ce3+, but formed a 1:2 (M(3+):L) complex, ML2 (the charge of the complex is omitted) with heavy rare earth metal ions, such as Sm(3+)-Lu3+ including Y3+. The conditional stability constants of these 1:1 and 1:2 complexes, KML and KML2, were measured by a ligand displacement method using absorption spectrophotometry in 4% (v/v) acetone aqueous solution at pH 9.65 +/- 0.15 and 25 degrees C.