Synthesis of Bis(2,2-benzimidazolyl)dibenzo-18-crown-6

A method has been developed for the introduction of benzimidazole substituents into the dibenzo-18-crown-6 molecule by condensation of its 4′,4″(5″)-diacetyl derivative with ortho-phenylenediamine. Increasing the length of the hydrocarbon chain of the acyl substituent or replacing Ac by CSNH2 led to a decrease in the yield of the desired product. No product was formed when Ac was replaced by COOH or CN.