Regioselective intramolecular bridging of p-tert-butylcalix[10]arene

The synthesis and characterization of a series of regioselective intramolecular bridging of calix[10]arene are described for the first time. Reacting p-tert-butylcalix[10]arene with tri-ethylene glycol ditosylate using K2CO3 as a base in toluene, 1,2-calix[10]crown-4 2a, 1,4-calix[10]crown-4 2b and 1,6-calix[10]crown-4 2c were obtained in yields of 9%, 14% and 7%, respectively. While using Cs2CO3/acetone instead of K2CO3/toluene, the 1,4-calix[10]crown-4 2b was obtained selectively in good yield up to 50%.