Crystallographic and Inclusion Properties of some Diacetylated Calix[4]arenes

Three 5,17-diacetylcalix4]arene derivatives 3–5 have been prepared, evaluated for inclusion properties, and their single crystal X-ray structures determined. The diacetyl calixarenes 3 and 4 were obtained by acetylation of their parent dimethoxy 1 or dipropoxy 2 compounds, respectively, whereas 5,17-diacetyl-25,26,27,28-tetrapropoxycalix4]arene 5 was prepared by alkylation of 4. Crystallisation of 3 resulted in no inclusion from chloroform, but yielded lattice inclusion compounds from acetonitrile or acetone. The calixarene 3 maintains its cone conformation in these crystals, but displays degrees of distortion depending upon the included solvent. Crystal structures of solvent-free 4 and 5 are also described. A new preparation of the monomethoxy derivative 6 is described, and its X-ray structure with chloroform guest is analysed.