Lithium-coronand electrolytes. Thermodynamic and electrochemical aspects

The research strategy for the selection of lithium coronand electrolytes which may be relevant to battery technology is described. Particular emphasis is placed on the solution thermochemical behaviour of lithium and lithium coronand electrolytes in acetonitrile, propylene carbonate and tetrahydrofuran. Enthalpies of coordination referred to reactants and products in their pure physical state are used in combination with corresponding solution data for the host, the guest and the resulting complex to derive for the first time the enthalpies of complexation of lithium and crown ethers in low permittivity media. The implication of thermodynamic studies on the conductance behaviour of lithium and lithium coronand electrolytes in propylene carbonate is quantitatively demonstrated in the limiting molar conductivities of these electrolytes in this solvent.