We present a molecular dynamics study of 18C6, 15C5 crown ethers and their acyclic polyether analogues at the water/supercritical-CO 2 interface. The aqueous and CO 2 components form distinct phases, separated by an interface, where in all systems, the ethers are found to concentrate. Simulations of the inclusive K + &18C6 Pic À complexes led to decomplexation of K + and accumulation of the crown ethers on the CO 2 side of the interface, while Pic À anions stack in the aqueous phase. When the K + cations are constrained to form inclusive complexes with 18C6, all complexes concentrate at the interface, be the counterions free to move, or constrained to coordinate to K + . In the presence of nitric acid, modeled by equimolar mixtures of HNO 3 , NO 3À and H 3 O + forms, the ethers remain surface active, as does the neutral form of the acid. These simulations demonstrate the importance of interfacial phenomena in assisted ion extraction to supercritical-CO 2 .