Synthesis and Conformational Characteristics of Calix[4]arene Oligomers

Abstract

Lower- and/or upper-rim functionalization of calix[4]arene realized a variety of calix[4]arene systems. Compared to these monomeric calix[4]arenes, covalently linked calix[4]arene oligomers have not been studied well. Calix[4]arene oligomers can be utilized as building blocks of supramolecular complexes as well as for the synthesis of calix[4]arene polymers. This background motivated us to develop synthetic procedures for calix[4]arene oligomers and to conduct conformational analysis of these oligomers. We produce oligomers ranging from the monomer to the pentamer. The coupling of the pentamer with 2,3-dibenzyloxy-1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid can access a decamer and oligomers. NMR measurements, X-ray crystal structure analysis, and computational studies demonstrate that calix[4]arene oligomers can regulate their length by changing the conformations of the calix[4]arene cores.