Calixarenes classification

Although chiral calix[4]arenes can be generated by simply attaching chiral residues at the upper [40] or lower [41-43] rim of the calixarene skeleton, recent interest has been focused on the possibility of synthesizing inherently chiral calix[4]arenes, which are build up of nonchiral subunits and consequently owe their chirality to the fact that the calixarene molecule is nonplanar. Molecular asymmetry can arise from the substitution pattern at the lower rim and/or conformation. In this respect, Shinkai has recently reported a systematic classification of all possible chiral isomers derivable from calix[4]arene, and delineated some basic concepts for the design and synthesis of chiral derivatives [44]. 

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