Synthesis and Rh(I)‐catalyzed polymerization of 1,3‐diphenylyne–calix[4]arene compounds: Novel conjugated,calixarene‐based polymers

The synthesis of two 1,3‐bis(4‐ethynylbenzyloxy)calix[4]arenes, 5,11,17,23‐tetrakis(1,1‐dimethylethyl)‐25,27‐bis(4‐ethynylbenzyloxy)‐26,28‐dihydroxycalix[4]arene ( 1 ) and 25,27‐bis(4‐ethynylbenzyloxy)‐26,28‐dihydroxycalix[4]arene ( 2 ), was accomplished through Sonogashira coupling of appropriate calixarene derivatives. Methods for the polymerization of these bifunctional building blocks with Rh(I) as a catalyst, leading ultimately to conjugated polymers having calix[4]arene units incorporated into the main chain, were explored. Calixarenes 1 and 2 were efficiently polymerized with rhodium‐based initiators and afforded the conjugated polymers poly{5,11,17,23‐tetrakis(1,1‐dimethylethyl)‐25,27‐bis(4‐ethynylbenzyloxy)‐26,28‐dihydroxycalix[4]arene} ( poly 1 ) and poly{25,27‐bis(4‐ethynylbenzyloxy)‐26,28‐dihydroxycalix[4]arene}. Depending on the conditions, high conversions and good yields were obtained. The effects of adding cocatalysts (NHEt₂ and/or PPh₃) were studied in connection with the number‐average molecular weight and the molecular weight distribution of the resultant polymer ( poly 1 ) and tentatively correlated with the formation of low‐molecular‐weight materials. A catalytic system containing triphenylphosphine as the sole additive ([Rh(nbd)Cl]₂; [Rh]/[PPh₃] = 0.5) proved to be the best for the polymerization of p‐tert‐butylcalixarene compound 1 . Linear polymers having high number‐average molecular weights (up to 1.1 × 10⁵ g mol^?1) with low polydispersities were produced under these conditions. For debutylated homologue 2 , its polymerization was best carried out in the absence of any added cocatalyst. A cyclopolymerization route, comprising the intramolecular ring closing of the calix[4]arene pendant ethynyl groups followed by an intermolecular propagation step, is advanced to explain the results. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 7054–7070, 2006     

Studies on Properties of p—Nitrophenylazo Calix[4]arene Derivatives

The p-nitrophenylazo calix[4] arene derivatives la-ld with nonlinear optical(NLO)properties were prepared by the diazo-coupling reaction of calix[4]arene with p-nitrophenyl diazonium.The diazotization reaction of p-nltroaniline was caried out with isoamyl nitrite as a source of nitrous acid in EtONa/EtOH under refluxing conditon.X-Ray crystallographic analysis and ^1H NMR sptectra reveal that they exist as cone conformation in crystal state or in soution.HRS measurements at 1064 nm in THF indicate that p-nitrophenylazo calix[4]arenes have higher hyperpolarizability βz values than the corresponding reference compound 4-(4-nitrophenylazo)-2,6-dimethyl-phenol,without red shift of the charge transfer band.The tetrakis p-nitropheylazo calix[4]arene(2)with longer alkyl chains can form monolayer aht the air/water interface.     

Calixarene‐centered amphiphilic A2B2 miktoarm star copolymers based on poly(ε‐caprolactone) and poly(ethylene glycol): Synthesis and self‐assembly behaviors in water

Novel calixarene‐centered amphiphilic A₂B₂ miktoarm star copolymers composed of two PCL arms and two PEG arms with calix[4]arene as core moiety were synthesized by the combination of CROP and “click” chemistry. First, a heterotetrafunctional calix[4]arene derivative with two hydroxyl groups and two alkyne groups was designed as a macroinitiator to prepare calixarene‐centered PCL homopolymers (C4‐PCL) by CROP in the presence of Sn(Oct)₂ as catalyst at 110 °C. Next, azide‐terminated PEG (A‐PEG) was synthesized by tandem treating methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)s (mPEG) with 4‐chlorobutyryl chloride and NaN₃. Finally, copper(I)‐catalyzed cycloaddition reaction between C4‐PCL and A‐PEG led to A₂B₂ miktoarm star copolymer [C4S(PCL)₂‐(PEG)₂]. ¹H NMR, FT‐IR, and SEC analyses confirmed the well‐defined miktoarm star architecture. These amphiphilic miktoarm star copolymers could self‐assemble into multimorphological aggregates in water. The calix[4]arene moieties with a cavity <1 nm on the hydrophilic/hydrophobic interface of these aggregates may provide potential opportunities to entrap guest molecules for special applications in supermolecular science. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010     

Highly efficient orthopalladated complexes of second and third benzyl amine for catalyzing the Suzuki cross‐coupling reaction

In this work, ortho‐palladated complexes [Pd(µ‐Cl)(C₆H₄CH₂ NRR′‐κ²‐C,N)]₂ and [Pd(C₆H₄CH₂NH₂‐2‐C,N)Cl(Y)] were tested in the Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reaction. Cyclopalladated Pd(II) complexes as thermally stable catalysts can activate aryl bromides and chlorides. These complexes were active and efficient catalysts for the Suzuki–Miyaura reaction of aryl bromides and even less reactive aryl chlorides. The cross‐coupled products of a variety of aryl bromides and aryl chloride with phenylboronic acid in methanol as solvent at 60 °C were produced in excellent yields. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fluorescence Spectral Studies on the Coordination of Calix[4]‐arenes Bearing Boronic Acid Moieties with Monosaccharides

Coordination of ten calix[4]arenes bearing boronic acid moieties with five monosaccharides was studied by fluorescence spectrometry. The stability constants (K₂) of the complexes and Gibbs free energy change ( ‐ ΔG⁰) of the coordination reactions were calculated according to the modified Hilderbrand‐Benesi equation. The results obtained indicated that the coordination ability of D‐( ‐ )‐fructose with calix[4] arenes bearing boronic acid moieties was stronger than that of the other monosaccharides. And these calix[4]arene derivatives might be used for identification of L‐( ‐ )‐sorbose.     

Unusual conformations of 1,3‐dialk­oxy­thia­calix[4]arenes in the solid state

The structures of three syn‐1,3‐dialkoxy­thia­calix[4]arenes with unusual conformations in the solid state are reported. The pinched cone conformation of syn‐2²,4²‐dihydroxy‐1²,3²‐bis­(prop‐2‐enyl­oxy)thia­calix[4]arene, C₃₀H₂₄O₄S₄, (3a), is stabilized by two intra­molecular hydrogen bonds, remarkably formed from both OH groups to the same ether O atom. In syn‐2²,4²‐dihydroxy‐1⁵,2⁵,3⁵,4⁵‐tetra­nitro‐1²,3²‐bis­(prop‐2‐enyl­oxy)thia­calix[4]arene acetone disolvate, C₃₀H₂₀N₄O₁₂S₄·2C₃H₆O, (3b1), the mol­ecule is found in the 1,3‐alternate conformation. The crystallographic C2 symmetry is due to a twofold rotation axis running through the centre of the calixarene ring. The hydroxy groups cannot form intra­molecular hydrogen bonds as in (3a) and both are bonded to an acetone solvent mol­ecule. The mol­ecule of the pseudo‐polymorph of (3b1) in which the same compound crystallized without any solvent, viz. (3b2), is located on a crystallographic mirror plane. Only one of the two hydroxy groups forms a hydrogen bond, and this is with a nitro group of a neighbouring mol­ecule as acceptor. Mol­ecular mechanics calculations for syn‐1,3‐diethers suggest a preference of the 1,3‐alternate over the usual cone conformation for thia­calix[4]arene versus calix[4]arene and for para‐nitro versus para‐H derivatives.     

Upper Rim Diester—bridged Calix[4] arenes and Oligocalix [4]—arenes：the Effects of the Length of Bridged Reagents on Their Distribution

A series of monobridged calix [4] arenes 3a-f,cyclic biscalix-[4] arenes 4a-f ,diametrically bridged at the upper rim with saturated aliphatic diester chians,have been synthesized,The results at diluted conditions show that the percentage of yields of mono-,bis- and oligo-calix[4] arenes are related to the legth of the chains ,With the shortening of the chains ,the percent-age of monocalix[4] arenes decreased ,All the calix [4] arene moieties are in a cone conformaiton according to the AB quar-tet pattern of the methylene protons between the phenolic rings in the ^1H NMR spectra.     

Synthesis and photochemical reaction of cyclic oligomers: Synthesis and photopolymerization of novel C‐methylcalix[4]resorcinarene and p‐alkylcalix[n]arene derivatives containing spiro ortho ether groups

New photoreactive calixarene derivatives containing spiro ortho ester groups (calixarenes 3a–3c ) were synthesized by the reaction of 2‐bromomethyl‐1,4,6‐trioxaspiro[4.4]nonane with 2,8,14,20‐tetramethyl‐4,6,10,12,16,18,22,24‐octakis(carboxymethoxy)calix[4]resorcinarene, 5,11,17,23,29,35‐hexamethyl‐37,38,39,40,41,42‐hexakis(carboxymethoxy)calix[6]arene, and 5,11,17,23,29,35,41,47‐octa‐tert‐butyl‐49,50,51,52, 53,54,55,56‐octakis‐(carboxymethoxy)calix[8]arene, which were prepared by the reaction of C‐methylcalix[4]resorcinarene, p‐methylcalix[6]arene, and p‐tert‐butylcalix[8]arene, respectively. The thermal stability of the obtained calixarene derivatives containing spiro ortho ester groups was examined with thermogravimetric analysis, and it was found that these calixarene derivatives had good thermal stability. The photoinitiated cationic polymerization of spiro ortho ester groups in calixarene derivatives 3a–3c was examined with certain photoacid generators in the film state. Interestingly enough, the reaction of calixarene derivatives did not proceed with only photoirradiation; however, the reaction proceeded smoothly when the photoirradiation was followed by heating. Furthermore, calixarene 3a , composed of a C‐methylcalix[4]resorcinarene structure, showed the highest photochemical reactivity in this reaction system. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 1293–1302, 2002     

New Calix[4]arene‐Cored Peripherally Functionalized Dendrimers: Synthesis and Conformational Characteristics

New calixarene‐based dendrimers, containing calix[4]arene as the core and different generations of Fréchet‐type poly(benzyl ether) dendrons as building blocks, which possess either Br‐atoms or COO^tBu groups at their surface were synthesized and presented herein for the first time. The new calix[4]arene‐cored dendritic macromolecules were fully characterized and found to prefer strictly the cone conformation.     

Synthesis of （p-Formylphenyl）azo Calix[4]arenes

Five novel azo calix[4]arenes were reported. The p-aminobenzaldehyde was diazotized with sodium nitrite in aqueous hydrochloride solution. Mono-, bis-, tris- and tetrakis(p-formylphenyl)azo calix[4]arenes (including proximal and distal isomers) were obtained respectively by diazo-coupling in different molar ratio to calix[4]arene(1) under pH=7.5--8.5 at 0-5℃. All (p-formylphenyl)azo calix[4]arenes were characterized by ^1H NMR, ^13C NMR, IR, MS (ESIMS) spectroscopies and elemental analysis.     

Mono‐ and Binuclear Rhodium and Platinum Complexes of 1, 3, 5‐Trimethyl‐1, 3, 5‐triaza‐2σ3λ3‐phosphorin‐4, 6‐dionyloxy‐substituted Calix[4]arenes

The reaction behaviour of 1, 3, 5‐triaza‐2σ³λ³‐phosphorin‐4, 6‐dionyloxy‐substituted calix[4]arenes towards mono‐ and binuclear rhodium and platinum complexes was investigated. Special attention was directed to structure and dynamic behaviour of the products in solution and in the solid state. Depending on the molar ratio of the reactands, the reaction of the tetrakis(triazaphosphorindionyloxy)‐substituted calix[4]arene ( 4 ) and its tert‐butyl‐derivative ( 1 ) with [(cod)RhCl]₂ yielded the mono‐ and disubstituted binuclear rhodium complexes 2 , 3 , and 5 . In all cases, a C₂‐symmetrical structure was proved in solution, apparently caused by a fast intramolecular exchange process between cone conformation and 1, 3‐alternating conformation. The X‐ray crystal structure determination of 5 confirmed [(calixarene)RhCl]₂‐coordination through two opposite phosphorus atoms with a P ⃜P separation of 345 pm. The complex displays crystallographic inversion symmetry, and the Rh₂Cl₂ core is thus exactly planar. Reaction of 1 and of the bis(triazaphosphorindionyloxy)‐bis(methoxy)‐substituted tert‐butyl‐calix‐[4]arene ( 7 ) with (cod)Rh(acac) in equimolar ratio and subsequent reaction with HBF₄ led to the expected cationic monorhodium complexes 5 and 8 , involving 1, 3‐alternating P‐Rh‐P‐coordination. The cone conformation in solution was proved by NMR spectroscopy and characteristic values of the ¹J(PRh) coupling constants in the ³¹P‐NMR‐spectra. Reaction of equimolar amounts of 4 with (cod)Rh(acac) or (nbd)Rh(acac) led, by substitution of the labile coordinated acetylacetonato and after addition of HBF₄, to the corresponding mononuclear cationic complexes 9 and 10 . Only two of the four phosphorus atoms in 9 and 10 are coordinated to the central metal atom. Displacement of either cycloocta‐1, 5‐diene or norbornadiene was not observed. For both compounds, the cone conformation was proved by NMR spectroscopy. Reaction of 4 with (cod)PtCl₂ led to the PtCl₂‐complex ( 11 ). As for all compounds mentioned above, only two phosphorus atoms of the ligand coordinate to platinum, while two phosphorus atoms remain uncoordinated (proved by δ³¹P and characteristic values of ¹J(PPt)). NMR‐spectroscopic evidence was found for the existence of the cone conformation in the cis‐configuration of 11 .     

Thermodynamics of sublimation of calix[4]arene complexes with solvent molecules

The inclusion of small neutral organic guests (C₆H₁₄, CH₂Cl₂, CH₃OH) by calix[4]arene receptors was found by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and microanalysis. The studied calix[4]arenes can form stable intramolecular complexes with solvent molecules which keep the stoichiometric composition without changing under conditions of the sublimation experiment. The saturated vapour pressures of calix[4]arenes and complexes of calix[4]arenes with solvent molecules were determinated for the first time by the Knudsen’s effusion method in the wide temperature range. The changing of standard thermodynamic parameters of complexation by transfer process from condensed state to vapour phase was estimated. It was shown that the large flexibility of the calixarene ligand structure corresponds to a strongly negative entropic contribution as well as negative enthalpy term to the Gibbs energy of formation of host–guest complexes in the gas phase.     

Design and Synthesis of Calixarene‐Based Bis‐alkynyl‐Bridged Dinuclear AuI Isonitrile Complexes as Luminescent Ion Probes by the Modulation of Au⋅⋅⋅Au Interactions

Two calixarene‐based bis‐alkynyl‐bridged Au^I isonitrile complexes with two different crown ether pendants, [{calix[4]arene‐(OCH₂CONH‐C₆H₄C≡C)₂}{Au(CNR)}₂] (R=benzo[15]crown‐5 ( 1 ); R=benzo[18]crown‐6 ( 2 )), together with their related crown‐free analogue 3 (R=C₆H₃(OMe)₂‐3,4) and a mononuclear gold(I) complex 4 with benzo[15]crown‐5 pendant, have been designed and synthesized, and their photophysical properties have been studied. The X‐ray structure of the ligand, calix[4]arene‐(OCH₂CONH‐C₆H₄C?CH)₂ has been determined. The cation‐binding properties of these complexes with various metal ions have been studied using UV/Vis, emission, ¹H NMR, and ESI‐MS techniques, and DFT calculations. A new low‐energy emission band associated with Au???Au interaction could be switched on upon formation of the metal ion‐bound adduct in a sandwich fashion.     

Synthesis of fully lower‐rim,carbonate‐bridged calix[8]arenes and their curing behavior

Novel fully lower‐rim, carbonate‐bridged calix[8]arene derivatives were successfully synthesized in high yield by the condensation of p‐alkyl substituted calix[8]arenes with triphosgene. Different bases and catalysts were used for the preparation depending on the p‐alkyl substituted groups of the calix[8]arenes. The conformational features of the derivatives were examined by ¹H NMR analysis. Thermosetting formulations were prepared from a mixture of bisphenol A polycarbonate with calix[8]arene carbonate derivatives using sodium benzoate as a catalyst. Their crosslinking behaviors were studied using differential thermal/thermogravimetric analysis. No glass‐transition temperatures were observed after annealing at 280–300 °C. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 1149–1155, 2001     

A phosphine‐free heterogeneous Suzuki–Miyaura reaction of aryl bromides catalyzed by MCM‐41‐supported tridentate nitrogen palladium complex under air

MCM‐41‐supported tridentate nitrogen palladium(II) complex [MCM‐41‐3 N‐Pd(II)] was conveniently synthesized from commercially available and cheap 3‐(2‐aminoethylamino)propyltrimethoxysilane via immobilization on MCM‐41, followed by reacting with pyridine‐2‐carboxaldehyde and PdCl₂. It was found that this palladium complex is an excellent catalyst for the Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction of aryl bromides on two points: (i) the use of 5 × 10⁻⁴ mol equiv. of MCM‐41‐3 N‐Pd(II) under air afforded the coupling products efficiently after easy workup; (2) the catalyst can be reused many times without loss of catalytic activity. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Exploring the structural landscape of 2‐(thiophen‐2‐yl)‐1,3‐benzothiazole: high‐Z′ packing polymorphism and cocrystallization with calix[4]tube

We report here for the first time a cocrystal of the so‐called neutral calix[4]tube, which is two tail‐to‐tail‐arranged and partially deprotonated tetrakis(carboxymethoxy)calix[4]arenes, including three sodium ions, with 2‐(thiophen‐2‐yl)‐1,3‐benzothiazole, namely trisodium bis(carboxymethoxy)bis(carboxylatomethoxy)calix[4]arene tris(carboxymethoxy)(carboxylatomethoxy)calix[4]arene–2‐(thiophen‐2‐yl)‐1,3‐benzothiazole–dimethyl sulfoxide–water (1/1/2/2), 3Na⁺·C₃₆H₃₀O₁₂^2?·C₃₆H₃₁O₁₂^?·C₁₁H₇NS₂·2C₂H₆OS·2H₂O, which provides a new approach into the host–guest chemistry of inclusion complexes. Three packing polymorphs of the same benzothiazole with high Z′ (one with Z′ = 8 and two with Z′ = 4) were also discovered in the course of our desired cocrystallization. The inspection of these polymorphs and a previously known polymorph with Z′ = 2 revealed that Z′ increases as the strength of intermolecular contacts decreases. Also, these results expand the frontier of invoking calixarenes as a host for nonsolvent small molecules, besides providing knowledge on the rare formation of high‐Z′ packing polymorphs of simple molecules, such as the target benzothiazole.     

Stereochemical control of calixarenes useful as rigid and conformationally diversiform platforms for molecular design

Stereochemical problems and related functions of calix[4]arenes, calix[6]arenes and their chiral derivatives have been reviewed. In p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene (1H₄) and its mono-, di-, tri-, and tetra-O-alkyl derivatives (1H₃R, 1H₂R₂,1HR₃, and 1R₄, respectively), 23 different homologues can exist (including 1H₄). We found that the OH group in the unmodified phenol unit is permeable through the calix[4]arene ring. Thus, several conformational isomers become equivalent after the ‘oxygen-through-the-annulus’ rotation of the OH group and the number of possible homologues is reduced to 13 (including 1H₃). We report in this paper the syntheses of all of these possible conformational isomers using a protection-deprotection method with a benzyl group and metal template effects. On the other hand, all possible chiral isomers that can be derived from calix[4]arene by modification of the OH groups have been systematically classified. Molecular asymmetry can be generated not only by different substituents but also by conformational isomerism. The numbers of chiral isomers are 17 for tetra-O-substituted calix[4]arenes, 9 for tri-O-substituted calix[4]arenes, 3 for di-O-substituted calix[4]arenes, and 0 for mono-O-substituted calix[4]arenes. Chiral calix[4]arenes can also be designed by the introduction of a substituent into the m-position of a phenol unit or by the use of a dissymmetric ‘stapling reaction’ in proximal phenol units. In p-tert-butylcalix[6]arene, the conformational behaviour is totally different from that in p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene. A large degree of conformational freedom remains in the framework, and both ‘oxygen-through-the-annulus rotation’ and ‘para-substituent-through-the-annulus rotation’ can take place. However, when metal cations are bound to calix[6]aryl esters, the conformation is changed to a cone type. Bridging and capping are powerful methods to immobilize the conformation of calix[6]arenes. In addition, definitive evidence for ring immobilization was obtained from the absence of racemization in the chiral calix[6]arene. A successful example of chiral recognition for α-amino acid derivatives was achieved by using chiral homooxacalix[3]arene which has ‘pseudo C₂ symmetry’. These examples indicate that calixarenes serve as rigid and conformationally diversiform platforms for the design of novel functional supramolecules.     

Triptycene‐Derived Calix[6]arenes: Synthesis,Structures, and Their Complexation with Fullerenes C60 and C70

Two pairs of novel triptycene‐derived calix[6]arenes 4 a , b and 5 a , b have been efficiently synthesized through both one‐pot and two‐step fragment‐coupling strategies starting from 2,7‐bis(hydroxymethyl)‐1,8‐dimethoxytriptycene 1 . Subsequent demethylation of 4 a , b and 5 a , b with BBr₃ in dry dichloromethane gave the macrocyclic compounds 6 a , b and 7 a , b . Treatment of either 4 a or 6 a with AlCl₃ resulted in the same debutylated product 8 , while 9 was similarly obtained from either 5 a or 7 a . Structural studies revealed that all of the macrocycles have well‐defined structures with fixed conformations both in solution and in the solid state owing to the introduction of the triptycene moiety with a rigid three‐dimensional (3D) structure, making them very different from their classical calix[6]arene counterparts. As a consequence, it was found that all of these the triptycene‐derived calix[6]arenes could encapsulate small neutral molecules in their cavities in the solid state. Moreover, it was also found that the macrocycles 4 b and 5 b showed highly efficient complexation abilities toward fullerenes C₆₀ and C₇₀, forming 1:1 complexes with association constants ranging from (5.22±0.20)×10⁴ to (8.68±0.30)×10⁴ M ^?1.     

Water‐Soluble Molecular Capsules: Self‐Assembly and Binding Properties

The self‐assembly and characterization of water‐soluble calix[4]arene‐based molecular capsules ( 1?2 ) is reported. The assemblies are the result of ionic interactions between negatively charged calix[4]arenes 1 a and 1 b , functionalized at the upper rim with amino acid moieties, and a positively charged tetraamidiniumcalix[4]arene 2 . The formation of the molecular capsules is studied by ¹H NMR spectroscopy, ESI mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS), and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). A molecular docking protocol was used to identify potential guest molecules for the self‐assembled capsule 1 a?2 . Experimental guest encapsulation studies indicate that capsule 1 a?2 is an effective host for both charged (N‐methylquinuclidinium cation) and neutral molecules (6‐amino‐2‐methylquinoline) in water.     

New artificial receptors from selectively functionalized calix[4]arenes

Abstract

The development of new synthetic methods for the monoalkylation of calix[4]arenes at the lower rim allows the synthesis of a new class of trihydroxamate siderophores. Three chelating hydroxamic acid units are introduced through a sequence of reactions which blocks the macrocycle in the cone conformation. The new ligands obtained form neutral 1:1 complexes (FeL) with iron (III), which are stable in EtOH/H₂O 9:1 at pH 2–7. Calix[4]arene bis-crown ethers are prepared by exploiting the selective 1,2-(proximal) functionalization of calix[4]arenes at the lower rim. These ligands are, however, less effective in complexing alkali metal cations compared with the 1,3-calix[4]arene crown-ethers which, in their partial cone structure, offer a better shielding for the complexed cations. Rigid upper rim-bridged calix[4]arenes potentially useful for the inclusion of neutral molecules are prepared by exploiting the selective 1,3-diformylation of calix[4]arene at the upper rim. Finally a new chloromethylation method for calix[4]arenes blocked in the cone conformation is described together with the synthesis of new cavitands.