Synthesis and reactions of ethynylbenzocrown ethers

The interaction of 4’-iodobenzo-15-crown-5 and -18-crown-6 ethers with 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol and trimethylsilylacetylene followed by treatment of the reaction products with alkali yields ethynylbenzocrown ethers; chemical transformations such as cross- and homo-coupling and Cadiot–Chodkiewicz and Mannich reaction of the ethynyl derivatives have been carried out.