Periphery-modified crown ethers. Synthesis of bis-5,8-dimethoxy-1,4-methanonaphthalene-fused crown ethers

The easily accessible and multi-functionalized 5,8-dimethoxy-6,7-dihydroxy methyl-1,4-dihydro-1,4-methanonaphthalene () has been utilized as the basic building material to synthesize the symmetric bis-methanonaphthalene-fused crown ethers (BMN-16-crown-4, BMN-22-crown-6, BMN-28-crown-8, and BMN-34-crown-10), that are constructed based on the connection between the α,β-bis-benzylic carbon atoms of diol and oligoethylene glycols () via two synthetic routes keyed upon the method of Williamson ether synthesis.