Synthesis of Some Benzocrown Ether Derivatives and Their Solvent Extraction with Organic Salts of Alkali Metals

Crown ethers containing hydrophobic exteriors are lipophilic hosts, which can include cations, especially alkali and alkaline earth metal ions, into their cavities via an ion-dipole interaction. In general, oxygen crown ethers are effective for the extraction of alkali and alkaline earth metal cations but not for transition metal cations. Conversely, their nitrogen analogs are effective for transition metal ions but not for alkali metal cations. As a valid method, the solvent extraction was extensively used to evaluate the cation binding abilities of crown ethers. In present paper, we have described synthesis of benzocrown ether derivatives and their solvent extraction with organic salts of some alkali metals.