Regioselective synthesis of syn disubstituted dibenzo-30-crown-10 ethers

A practical and regioselective synthetic method for the synthesis of syn substituted dibenzo-30-crown-10 ethers is reported. This novel methodology is reported with the syntheses of dibenzo crown ethers bearing nitro, formyl and carbomethoxy groups. The synthesis of macrocyclization precursors was accomplished in three steps and featured an application of para-methoxybenzyl group (PMB) as protecting group of phenol moiety that is orthogonal to NO2, CHO and COOMe groups. General non-high dilution macrocyclization conditions have been developed that allow for the effective preparation of substituted large crown ethers.