Ionophoric properties of a tetra-tetrazole functionalised calix[4]arene

The synthesis and characterisation of p-t-butylcalix[4]arene functionalised at the lower rim with four tetrazole moieties is reported. The macrocycle is found to be a poorer ionophore for lanthanoid cations than the bis-tetrazole–substituted analogue. Solution-phase photophysical studies strongly suggested that the cations interacted only weakly with the calixarene ligand. A mixed sodium/triethylammonium salt of the calixarene ligand was crystallised in the presence of lanthanoid cations and structurally characterised. Strong intramolecular interactions are hypothesised to be the cause of the observed behaviour.