Synthesis of chiral calix[4]arenes bearing tartaric ester moieties

Abstract The synthesis of chiral calix[4]arenes with tartaric acid ester moieties has been achieved by the reactions of tartaric ester chloroacetates with calix[4]arenes in moderate yields. All the chiral calix[4]arene derivatives are in a cone conformation according to the 1 H NMR doublet–doublet pattern of the protons of the methylene groups between the phenol rings. The results of NMR and specific rotations indicate that the molecules have C 2 symmetry with asymmetric features.