Abstract: The invention provides a material comprising (i) a crown ether of formula (I), (ii) a crown ether of formula (II), and/or (iii) a crown ether of formula (III), or a salt thereof, wherein each m independently is an integer from 1 to 8, p is an integer from 1 to 1000, each “” designates an optionally present bond and/or structure, each X is an optionally present substituent, each * independently represents —H, ?O, or a bond to a remainder of the material, provided that at least one * is a bond to the remainder of the material, and wherein the remainder of the material is bound via a sp3-sp3 carbon-carbon bond, a method of making the material, and a method of using the material.

Abstract: The invention provides a material comprising (i) a crown ether of formula (I) and/or (ii) a crown ether of formula (II), or a salt thereof, wherein each m independently is an integer from 1 to 8, each “” designates an optionally present bond and/or structure, each X independently is —N(R1)2, —N*(R1), —N**, —N*(R1)2+Z?, or —N**(R1)+Z?, provided at least one X is —N*(R1), —N**, —N*(R1)2+Z?, or —N**(R1)+Z?, wherein each R1 independently is hydrogen or C1-6 alkyl, each Z is optionally present and independently is a counterion to balance the charge on nitrogen, and * represents a bond to a remainder of the material, a method of making the material, and a method of using the material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is the selective functionalization of one or more hydrocarbons ranging from the longest macromolecules to methane as the smallest. Functionalization is achieved through C-H activation of the one or more hydrocarbons and is carried out by the catalytic complex described herein. Also disclosed is the compound of formula (I) and the compound of formula (II).