Crown Ether Complexes 12-crown-4 15-crown-5 18-crown-6 18-crown-6 EPM of 18-crown-6 solvates Lit solvates Na solvates K with K+solvated Copyright2010 Pearson Prentice Hall,Inc. Crown ethers can complex metal cations inside the ring. The size of the cation will determine the size of the ring needed. Complexation by crown ethers often allows polar inorganic salts to dissolve in nonpolar organic solvents. Chapter 14 8 Chapter 14 8 Crown Ether Complexes • Crown ethers can complex metal cations inside the ring. • The size of the cation will determine the size of the ring needed. • Complexation by crown ethers often allows polar inorganic salts to dissolve in nonpolar organic solvents