Synthesis and capsule formation of upper rim substituted tetra-acrylamido calix[4]arenes.

Upper rim substituted tetraiodo calix[4]arenes are coupled to a variety of acrylamides using the palladium catalysed Heck reaction. Tetra-acrylamido upper rim substituted calix[4]arenes are obtained in good yields with exceptionally high stereoselectivity, to produce the all-trans isomers. Tetra-acrylamido calix[4]arenes derived from secondary acrylamides are shown to dimerise via eight hydrogen bonds to form dimeric capsules, which are able to include small organic molecules.