Polymorphic crystals of oxacalix[4]arene with 1,3‐alternate conformations of S4 and C2 symmetry

Calix[4]arene and oxacalix[4]arene derivatives have eight possible conformations in the up and down directions of their four aromatic rings from the mean plane of a bridged central ring, the conformations of which determine the functionality of the host frameworks. Despite being a known compound for five decades, oxacalix[4]arene, C₂₄H₁₆O₄, has not been characterized previously by crystallographic methods. It crystallizes from hexane/CH₂Cl₂ solution to give two polymorphs, i.e. prismatic and block‐shaped crystals as twisted 1,3‐alternate structures with S₄ and C₂ symmetry, respectively. These were previously suggested as the prefered stable conformations by density functional theory (DFT) calculations.