Synthesis and properties of calixarene analogs incorporating a thiophene unit in the macrocyclic ring

Calixarene analogs containing a thiophene unit in the macrocyclic ring were prepared by a stepwise method. The macrocycles adopt a cone‐like form as the preferred conformation in solution. The induced chemical shift change, nOe experiment, and ¹H relaxation time (T₁) measurement supported the fact that the macrocycle forms a complex with the N‐methylpyridinium salt. In contrast, O‐tetramethylated macrocycles and linear phenol‐formaldehyde tetramer, could not efficiently include the N‐methylpyridinium salt.