Syntheses of Novel Tripodal Calix[n]cryptands (n = 4, 6) and Their Extraction Abilities toward Cations

The tripodal calixcryptands have been one of the scarcely explored fields in calixarene chemistry due to the difficulties in their preparation. The strategy presented in this paper shows that novel tripodal calixcryptands can be conveniently prepared by directly treacing p-tert-butylcalix[n]arenes (n = 4, 6) with a multi-functional polypode reagent, e.g. 1,1,1-tris(tosyloxyethoxyethoxymethyl)propane or tetrakis(tosyloxyethoxyethoxymethyl)methane, under selected conditions. The first example of 1,2,4-tripodal calix[6]cryptands has been prepared. Novel calix[6]crown and doublecalix[4]arenes were co-prepared. The extraction abilities of these novel calixcryptands toward several alkali metal ions, ammonium and alkylammonium ions are presented.