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A series of crown ethers with single benzene, naphthalene, biphenyl and binaphthyl units are prepared by the intramolecular Okahara cyclization of appropriate symmetrical diols. The method is used to synthesize new crown ether compounds and to prepare previously‐reported crown ethers in improved yields.

Synthetic routes to thirteen highly lipophilic crown ether carboxylic acids are described. Seven contain 12–15‐membered crown ether units with four ring oxygens and are designed for lithium ion complexation. Three others possess large ring 24‐crown‐8, 27‐crown‐9, and 30‐crown‐10 units. Six new hydroxymethyl crown ethers are prepared as synthetic intermediates.

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