The synthesis of three different types of lipophilic 18-crown-6 diacids is described. A didecyl crown ether 2, 3-diacid (1) was prepared as a minor product from a diiodide precursor (12) and threo-11, 12-docosanediol by thallous ethoxide cyclization. The major nonpolymeric products resulted from elimination followed by cyclization to give 15-crown-5 derivatives. A crown ether 11, 12-diamide 2, 3-diacid (4) was prepared by a similar route involving ...