Synthesis, structure, and functionalization of homo heterocalix[2]arene[2]triazines: versatile conformation and cavity structures regulated by the bridging elements.

A number of homo[2] and homo[4] heterocalix[2]arene[2]triazines were synthesized through a general and good-yielding fragment coupling approach starting from cyanuric halides, aromatic and aliphatic diols, and diamines under very mild reaction conditions. While homo[2] tetraazacalix[2]arene[2]triazine gave a twisted and pinched 1,2-alternate conformer, almost all homo[2] heterocalix[2]arene[2]triazines adopted different partial cone conformations in the solid state. Homo[4] heterocalix[2]arene[2]triazines yielded more diverse conformational structures including partial cone, pinched partial cone, 1,2-alternate and twisted 1,2-alternate, depending on the nature of bridging moieties. On the basis of (1)H NMR spectra, homo[2] and homo[4] heterocalix[2]arene[2]triazines were fluxional macrocycles in solution, and they underwent rapid conformation interconversion at different temperatures. Efficient and straightforward nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction and palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions on chlorotriazine rings, and the nucleophilic alkylation reaction on the bridging nitrogen atoms led to the construction of various highly functionalized homo heterocalix[2]arene[2]triazine derivatives.