Stereoselective Synthesis and Structure of New Types of Calix[4]resorcinarenes. Complexation of Tetrakis(O,O‐Phosphorus)Bridged‐Calix[4]resorcinarenes with Heavy Metal Atoms

The acid‐catalyzed (with HCl) condensation reactions of resorcinol ( 1 ) with 1‐naphthaldehyde ( 2 ) and isobutyraldehyde ( 3 ) furnished the tetrameric macrocyclic compounds 4 and 6 . Detailed NMR‐investigations of the acetylated tetrameric species 5 surprisingly support a structure not in agreement with the expected all‐cis conformation. The chair conformation (C_2h symmetry) of the acetylated derivative 5 was established through a crystal X‐ray diffraction study. The naphthyl substituents are arranged in trans position above and below the plane made up by the resorcinol units. The reaction of resorcinol 1 with isobutyraldehyde, in accord with expectation, led to the calix[4]resorcinaren ( 6 ). The ¹H NMR spectra of compound 6 and 7 appeared at room temperature as broad signals, indicating a conformation of C_2v symmetry. The reaction of the C‐methyl‐tetrakis‐P‐(chlorodioxaphosphocin)‐calix[4]resorcinarenes ( 8 ) and ( 10 ) with suitable N‐trimethylsilyl organic amines were conducted in tetrahydrofuran suspension, furnishing the P–N‐substituted calix[4]resorcinarenes ( 9 ) and ( 11 ). While in the complexation of C‐methyl‐tetrabromotetrakis‐P‐(dimethylaminodioxaphosphocin)‐calix[4]resorcinarene ( 13 ) with (tht)AuCl (tht = tetrahydrothiophene) the expected, neutral tetra‐substituted complex 15 was formed, the reaction of 13 with moist acetonitrile led to the anionic atomic framework 14 . X‐ray structure determinations of the complexes 14 and 15 show that both possess the cone conformation. In the gold complex 15 , the Au–Cl groups form a loose aggregate, with three Au…Cl contacts of 316–340 pm; one of the groups points towards the centre of the cone. The copper(I) complex 14 displays crystallographic mirror symmetry, with a central Cu₄Cl₅ unit involving tetrahedrally coordinated copper.