Metal‐Assisted Organization rather than Preorganization for the Design of Macrocyclic Hosts

Abstract

Boric acid initiates the formation of coronand 1 from 2, providing the framework necessary for the strong complexation of alkali metal ions. This approach to the synthesis of the macrocyclic host allows a greater flexibility than the standard preorganization method. A bicyclic coronand is also obtained by this strategy. M = K, Na.