meta-Bridged calix[4]arenes: a straightforward synthesis via organomercurial chemistry

The regioselective mercuration of tetraalkylated calix[4]arenes with Hg(OCOCF3)2 leads to the formation of meta-substituted products which enabled Pd-catalysed intramolecular bridging within the calixarene skeleton. Bridged derivatives represent a completely novel substitution pattern in calixarene chemistry with extremely distorted cavities and possible applications in supramolecular chemistry.