Unsymmetrical tetrahedrally substituted tribenzosilatranes

A tetraalkyltribenzosilatrane with four paraffinic chains of different length has been synthesized in 11 steps with an overall yield of 16%. In the resulting molecule, four different substituents are distributed at the apices of the pyramidal tribenzosilatrane rigid core. Formally, this molecular architecture is a chiral macrocentre. The experimental methods for investigating the chirality of such objects are discussed.