The cis-2-alkyl-3-oxy-tetrahydropyran unit as a building block for new ionophores with C2-symmetry

The use of cis-2-alkyl-3-oxy-tetrahydropyran unit is reported as a novel structure for the design and synthesis of a new type of ionophore with C2-symmetry. The synthesis of five macrolides and their complexation properties were investigated. The template effect as an effective tool to improve the selectivity and yield in the macrolactonization process is described.