Synthesis of novel macrobicyclic polyfunctional cryptands

Abstract A pathway yielding both syn and anti -functionalized macrocycles derived from bis-tartaro-18-crown-6 (1) as well as a selective route to syn compounds have been developed and applied to the synthesis of new macrobicyclic polyether cryptands ( 2 ) and ( 3 ), which may also be obtained by direct bridging of the dianhydride ( 4 ).