Synthesis of 2-alkyl- and 2-carboxy-p-tert-butylcalix[4]arenes via the lithiation of tetramethoxy-p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene.

[reaction: see text]. Tetramethoxy-p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene reacts readily with n-butyllithium to give a putative monolithiated intermediate that is substituted with alkyl halides and carbon dioxide to give in 60-75% yield conformationally mobile calix[4]arenes monosubstituted at the methylene bridge (2-position). 2-Alkyl- and 2-benzyl-substituted tetramethoxycalix[4]arenes are converted in 62-68% overall yield to the corresponding tetrahydroxy-p-tert-butylcalix[4]arenes by treatment with boron tribromide. The tetrahydroxy-p-tert-butylcalix[4]arenes exist in the cone conformation at room temperature in CDCl3 as judged by NMR spectroscopy.