Synthesis, crystal structure, and alkali metal picrate extraction capabilities of molecular clips based on diphenylglycoluril and benzocrown ethers

A convenient method for the synthesis of a series of molecular clips based on the diphenylglycoluril framework and benzocrown ether moieties by the reaction of bis(cyclomethoxymethylene)diphenylglycoluril with benzocrown ethers in polyphosphoric acid is proposed. X-ray diffraction analysis of molecular clips with the benzo-12-crown-4 and benzo-15-crown-5 fragments showed that both compounds are chloroform solvates with the stoichiometry clip:chloroform 1:1. By theoretical and experimental methods the existence of obtained clips in an anti–anti conformation was proved. The complexation properties of the obtained molecular clips were examined toward alkali metal and ammonium ions by FABMS spectrometry and extraction experiments.