2,14-Dithiacalix[4]arene and its homooxa analogues: synthesis and dynamic NMR study of conformational behaviour.

A simple and scalable synthesis of 2,14-dithiacalix[4]arene with alternating bridges (-CH2- and -S-) is reported. Proper selection of the bisphenol-based starting building blocks can provide not only the title compound (58%) but also yet unreported homooxa analogues possessing three different bridging units (-CH2-, -S- and -CH2-O-CH2-) in the molecule. These systems exhibit interesting conformational behaviour allowing for the study of flip-flop motion of the circular hydrogen bond arrays using dynamic NMR techniques.

Regioselective alkylation of a methylene group via meta-bridging of calix[4]arenes.

The meta-iodo derivative, fixed in the cone conformation, enables the gram-scale preparation of a meta-bridged calix[4]arene. This intermediate, possessing a fluorene moiety within the macrocyclic skeleton, can be regioselectively alkylated on the corresponding methylene bridge to form a unique substitution pattern in classical calixarene chemistry.

Use of residual dipolar couplings in conformational analysis of meta-disubstituted calix[4]arenes.

Dimercuration of tetrapropoxy calix[4]arene followed by a reaction with isoamyl nitrite afforded dinitroso regioisomers with unique substitution patterns. The unusual conformational behaviour of these inherently chiral systems was revealed by the combination of dynamic NMR and residual dipolar coupling (RDC) techniques.

meta-Bridged calix[4]arenes: a straightforward synthesis via organomercurial chemistry.

The regioselective mercuration of tetraalkylated calix[4]arenes with Hg(OCOCF3)2 leads to the formation of meta-substituted products which enabled Pd-catalysed intramolecular bridging within the calixarene skeleton. Bridged derivatives represent a completely novel substitution pattern in calixarene chemistry with extremely distorted cavities and possible applications in supramolecular chemistry.

Calix[4]arenes with intramolecularly bridged meta positions prepared via Pd-catalysed double C-H activation.

The introduction of a 2-pyridylsulfoxide moiety into the upper rim of calix[4]arenes enabled the synthesis of unprecedented derivatives with intramolecularly bridged meta positions of two neighbouring aromatic subunits. Palladium-catalysed double C-H activation thus represents a straightforward way to a completely novel type of calixarenes.