New macrocyclic lactones were synthesized by reaction of 3-bromo-5-(5-tert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzyl)biphenyl-4-ol with appropriate polyethylene glycol-based dicarboxylic acid dichlorides, and their complexes with Mg(ClO4)2·6H2O, Pb(SCN) 2, NaClO4·H2O, and KClO4 were prepared. The macrocyclic ligands were evaluated as extractants in the transfer of Li+, Na+, K+, Cu2+, Ni 2+, and Hg2+ picrates from aqueous to organic phase. © 2008 MAIK Nauka.