Synthesis of thiacrown and azacrown ethers based on the spiroacetal framework

This thesis describes the synthesis of novel thiacrown and azacrown ethers based on the 1.7-dioxaspiro[5.5] undecane ring system. Each chapter discusses the research in some detail. Chapter five describes the attempted kinetic resolution of the spiroacetal moiety, to provide enantiopure starting material for the synthesis of non-racemic spiroacetal crown ethers. Three different approaches were investigated. Chapter six summarises the results achieved and discusses possible strategies emanating from these results