Abstract: Macrocyclic polyether "crown" compounds of the formula ##EQU1## WHEREIN T is a C.sub.2 -C.sub.3 alkylene, A is ##EQU2## R being H or C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 alkyl, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 being independently C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 alkyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 alkenyl, or C.sub.6 -C.sub.14 aryl; Q and Z are independently 1,2-arylene (or saturated derivatives thereof) or substituted 1,2-arylene (or saturated derivatives thereof); a is 0, 1, 2, or 3; b is an integer from 3 to 20; y is 1 or zero; x.sub.1, x.sub.2, x.sub.3, and x.sub.4 are integers independently selected to give a 15-60 atom ring. Such crown compounds are generally useful in the formation of complexes with ionic metal compounds, thus making it possible to use certain chemical reagents in media wherein they are normally insoluble.