Chapter 7: Application of Ethers and Crown Ethers

Ethers, polyethers, and crown ethers have received particular interest in various research fields owing to advantageous features of the materials such as good resistance to heat, radiation, corrosion, impact ability, and creep deformation, nontoxicity, good hydrolysis resistance, flame retardance, excellent dimensional stability and electrical properties, and a wide servicing temperature range. In this chapter, we highlight some of the latest examples in this area. The present chapter focuses on useful and high-potential applications of ethers and crown ethers in various fields such as organic synthesis, ionic liquids, protecting groups, photoswitchable catalysis, phase transfer catalysts, solvents, and biological functionality, especially for anticancer and antimicrobial effects, drug delivery, and biofuels.