Synthesis of novel C2-symmetric chiral crown ethers and investigation of their enantiomeric recognition properties

A series of new C₂-symmetric chiral aza crown ether macrocycles 1–4 have been synthesized from (S)-3-aryloxy-1,2-propanediol and (S)-1,2-propanediol for the enantiomeric recognition of amino acid ester derivatives. These new macrocycles have been shown to be strong complexing agents for primary organic ammonium salts (with K up to 176.93 M^?1 and ΔG° up to 12.81 kJ mol^?1) by ¹H NMR titration. These macrocyclic host exhibited enantioselective bonding toward the d-enantiomer of phenylalanine methyl ester hydrochloride with K_D/K_L up to 6.87 in CDCl₃ with 0.25% CD₃OD.