Synthesis and Conformational Characteristics of Benzyl-Substituted p-tert-Butylcalixarenes

(m-Methylbenzyloxy)-, bis(p-methylbenzyloxy)-, and bis(m-methylbenzyloxy)-p-tert-butylcalix4]arenes were prepared by reactions of p-tert-butylcalix4]arene with p- and m-methylbenzyl bromides in the presence of alkali metal carbonates. Silylation of these derivatives gave (m-methylbenzyloxy)bis(trimethylsilyloxy)-, bis(m-methylbenzyloxy)bis(trimethylsilyloxy)-, and bis(p-methylbenzyloxy)bis(trimethylsilyloxy)-p-tert-butylcalix4]arenes. With phase-transfer catalysis, bis(p-methylbenzyloxy)bis(2-propenyloxy)- and bis(m-methylbenzyloxy)bis(2-propenyloxy)-p-tert-butylcalix4]arenes were obtained. Alkylation of the monosubstituted calixarene yields the corresponding trisubstituted derivative.