crown ether

English

Etymology

So called because its structure is shaped like a crown (the royal headgear).

Noun

crown ether (plural crown ethers)

1. (chemistry) any of a class of macrocyclic compounds containing repeat units of -CH₂CH₂O-
2. (chemistry) any similar compound containing atoms of nitrogen, sulphur, phosphorus or silicon instead of, or as well as, oxygen

See also

• cryptand
• lariat ether