Decomposition of 18‐crown‐6 solutions in tetrahydrofuran containing dissolved potassium

Abstract
Dipotassium polyoxaalkane‐α,ω‐diolates (1–5) and ethylene were found to be formed in the decomposition reaction of solutions of 18‐crown‐6 in tetrahydrofuran containing dissolved potassium. A mechanism of that decomposition process due to the action of the potassium anion is proposed.