A new type of macrocyclic polyethers has been synthesized. It consists of a monocyclic polyether ring and two side chains. The monocyclic polyether is composed of two bridge head nitrogen atoms and two hydrocarbon bridges, each bridge is separated into intervals by oxygen atoms. The side chain is made of ethyleneoxy polyether with alkyl group as end group. The size of monocyclic polyether and side chain may be varied as desired. The general formula is shown as 2 in the Chinese Text. The synthetic route of the compounds was described (see Formula (1-6). in the Chinese Text). In order to obtain pure products, the reaction mixture, after the solvent has been distilled off, is treated with hydrochloric acid. Metal salt is precipitated and removed by centrifugation. The mother liquor is neutralized with tetramethylammonium hydroxide. The desired macrocyclic polyether is extracted into organic solvent and purified after the removal of solvent by vacuum distillation. The ability of complexing alkali cations of macrocyclic polyethers has been studied by the method of solubilities of salts in chloroform. Their equilibrium constants are estimated. It is shown that they possess high ability to complex alkali cations. Some of them also possess high selectivity for Na+ and K+ ions The new macrocyclic polyethers possess following characteristics: (1) The method of synthesis and purification is simple and facile, the yields are good (30-65%). (2) When a suitable size of monocyclic polyethers and side chains are chosen, the macrocyclic polyether will possess both good complexing ability and good selectivity. (3) With the number of carbon atoms in the end alkyl group increasing, the solubility of macrocyclic polyethers in organic phase can be substantially improved.

Key words: MACROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS, MACROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS, POLYETHER, POLYETHER, ALKALI METAL COMPLEX