Calix[4]arenes with intramolecularly bridged meta positions prepared via Pd-catalysed double C-H activation.

The introduction of a 2-pyridylsulfoxide moiety into the upper rim of calix[4]arenes enabled the synthesis of unprecedented derivatives with intramolecularly bridged meta positions of two neighbouring aromatic subunits. Palladium-catalysed double C-H activation thus represents a straightforward way to a completely novel type of calixarenes.