Dibenzo crown monomers and polymers formed therefrom

Novel bis(extraannular functionally-substituted phenylene) crown compounds, useful as chelating agents or in the synthesis of condensation polymers containing large semi-rigid macrocycles in the polymer backbone, are described. A broad range of functional groups (preferably in the 5-position) can be used in the 1,3-phenylene varieties. Carboxy functional groups are used in certain novel 1,2-phenylene crowns.