Synthesis of new calix[4]arenes bearing silylether groups

The Si-H groups of 25,26,27,28-tetrakis[4-(tris(dimethylsilyl)methyl)butoxy]calix[4]arene (II) were treated with methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, pentanol, hexanol, isopropanol, 1-methyl propanol, 2-methylpropanol and 2-chloroethanol in the presence of Karstedt catalyst (platinum(0)-1,3-divinyl-1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane complex, solution in xylene) to give the corresponding 25,26,27,28-tetrakis[4-(tris(alkoxydimethylsilyl)methyl)butoxy]calix[4]arene. It is found that alcoholysis of calix[4]arene 1 in the presence of Speier catalyst (H2PtCl6 center dot 6H(2)O) was unsuccessful using reflux conditions over seven days. In addition, the rate of alcoholysis is dependent on the amounts of the catalyst and reaction temperature.