Synthesis and structures of isomerically pure bis-(alkylbenzo) crown ethers

A convenient method for the synthesis of bis-(4-alkyl-2-hydroxyphenoxy) alkoxy ethers, precursors to highly lipophilic, alkylbenzo-substituted crown ethers, is described. Thirteen isomerically-pure, bis-t-alkylbenzo crown ethers were prepared. The solid-state structures of three representative, bis-t-octylbenzo crown ethers are reported, representing the first structures ever reported for t-octylbenzocrown ethers.