New Fluorenocrownophanes Containing Benzene or Biphenyl Fragments: Synthesis, Properties and Interaction with Paraquat

New fluorenocrownophanes containing fragments of 2,7-dioxyfluorene and hydroquinone or 4,4’-dioxybiphenyl linked by triand tetraethylene glycol residues were synthesized by palladium-catalyzed hydrogenation of the appropriate fluorenonocrownophanes. The formation of the pseudorotaxane type inclusion complexes of these ligands with paraquat was established by means of FAB mass spectrometry, 1H NMR and electronic spectroscopy. The crownophanes with larger ring formed the more stable complexes.