Novel C3V-symmetric tripodal scaffold, triethyl cis,cis,cis-2,5,8- tribenzyltrindane-2,5,8-tricarboxylate, for the construction of artificial receptors

[reaction: see text] A novel C3V-symmetric scaffold, trindane 7, has been efficiently synthesized from 1,3,5-tris(bromomethyl)-2,4,6-tris(chloromethyl)benzene (1) in six steps with 47% overall yield. The control of all-syn stereochemistry in the tribenzylation step has been achieved by blocking one side of the trindane ring as metal carbonyl complexes. The potential utility of trindane 7 as a receptor skeleton has been examined with a urea derivative 12 toward several anionic guests.