Novel Organometallic Ionophore with Specificity toward Li+

The preparation of synthetic ionophores has been the subject of intensive study ever since the discovery of naturally occurring ionophoric antibotics. Ionophores selective to Li⁺ ions have received special interest in view of the importance of Li⁺ in the treatment of manic depressive patients. The presently known ionophores for alkali metal ions may be classified into two main groups: crown ethers and open-chain ligands with etheric and carbonylic oxygens to which the metal is probably bound.