The structure of the title compound, 25-ethyl-2,5,12,15,22,28-hexaoxa-25-az
atetracyclo[27.4.0.0(6,11).0(16,21)] tritriaconta-1(29),- 6(11),7,9,16(21),
17,19,30,32-nonaene, C28H33NO6, does not exhibit a binding cavity for catio
ns, but is collapsed in on itself, The conformation is unique among known t
ribenzo-21-crown-7 structures, and may be a result of intermolecular (C-H .
..pi) and intramolecular (C-H ... O) hydrogen bonding.