A series of polyether-bridged N, N'-diphenyl dihydroxamic acids L~1H_2-L~6H_2 and their dicobalt (II) complexes Co_2L_2~1 ～ Co_2L_2~6 were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ~1H NMR and MS spectra. Equilibrium constants and thermodynamic constants (Δ H~0 and ΔS~0) for oxygenation of these dicobalt complexes were measured. The influence of the length, rigidity and flexibility, the oxygen atoms as well as the formed crown ring of the bridge chains, the added alkaline (or alkaline earth) cations on the dioxygen- affinities of the complexes is discussed.

Key words: CROWN ETHER COMPOUNDS, HYDROXIMIC ACID, COBALT COMPLEX, POLYETHER, ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS, IR, 1HNMR