Use
Recrystallise it from acetonitrile and dry it in a vacuum. Purify it also by precipitating the 18-crown-6/nitromethane 1:2 complex with Et2O/nitromethane (10:1 mixture). The complex is decomposed in vacuum whereby 18-crown-6 distils off under the reduced pressure. [Beilstein 19/12 V 601.]