Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 5, 2026

Novel Techniques for Observing Structural Dynamics of Photoresponsive Liquid Crystals
Published on: May 29, 2018
High-Resolution Rotational Spectroscopy of a Cyclic Ether
F Gámez1, B Martínez-Haya1, S Blanco2
1†Department of Physical, Chemical and Natural Systems, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41013 Seville, Spain.
Researchers studied the crown ether 1,4,7,10,13-pentaoxacyclopentadecane (15-crown-5) using microwave spectroscopy. Three stable conformations were identified, advancing supramolecular chemistry and host-guest interactions.
Area of Science:
- Supramolecular Chemistry
- Physical Chemistry
- Chemical Physics
Background:
- Crown ethers are crucial in host-guest supramolecular chemistry.
- Understanding crown ether conformations is vital for designing new molecules.
- 1,4,7,10,13-pentaoxacyclopentadecane (15-crown-5) is a key cyclic ether.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the conformational landscape of 15-crown-5.
- To identify and characterize stable rotamers of 15-crown-5.
- To provide a foundation for studying related cyclic ethers.
Main Methods:
- High-resolution rotational spectroscopy using molecular beam Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy.
- Ab initio quantum chemical calculations at the MP2 level.
- Analysis of rotational constants and centrifugal distortion coefficients.
Main Results:
- Three stable rotamers of 15-crown-5 were successfully identified and characterized.
- Experimental data were accurately reproduced by theoretical MP2 calculations.
- Distinct structural features of the identified conformers were elucidated.
Conclusions:
- The study successfully mapped key conformations of 15-crown-5.
- This research provides a detailed understanding of the flexibility of cyclic ethers.
- The findings pave the way for further conformational analysis of related compounds.
Related Concept Videos
¹H NMR of Conformationally Flexible Molecules: Temporal Resolution
¹H NMR of Conformationally Flexible Molecules: Variable-Temperature NMR
IR and UV–Vis Spectroscopy of Aldehydes and Ketones
Structure and Nomenclature of Ethers
Ethers are organic compounds with an ether functional group which is characterized by an oxygen atom connected to two — identical or different — alkyl, aryl, or vinyl groups. The C–O–C linkage in dimethyl ether — the simplest ether — has an approximately tetrahedral bond angle of 110.3 degrees. The oxygen atom is sp3- hybridized, with the C–O distance being about 140 pm.
Classification of Ethers
Based on their attached substituent...
Spectroscopy of Carboxylic Acid Derivatives
IR Spectroscopy: Molecular Vibration Overview
Stretching vibrations are vibrational motions that occur along the bond line, changing the bond length or distance between two bonded atoms. They are further distinguished as symmetric or asymmetric. In symmetric stretching, the...

