Facial one-pot synthesis of D3h symmetric bicyclocalix[2]arene[2]triazines and their layered comb self-assembly

A number of D_3h symmetric bicyclocalix2]arene2]triazine core compounds were synthesized via a general and good-yielding (43–48% yield) facile protocol starting from cyanuric halides, phloroglucinol and K₂CO₃ under very mild reaction conditions. These cage-like compounds are tolerante with different reaction conditions and can be derived with other functional groups in high yields. The X-ray crystal structures show these compounds have slightly distorted D_3h symmetric structures. Due to the unique molecular topological structure, bicyclocalix2]arene2]triazine molecules form unique layered comb networks when hydrogen bond groups exist (such as CO₂H, B(OH)₂), which represent a new kind of building block unit for supramolecular architectures.