Direct synthesis of calixarenes with extended arms: p-phenylcalix[4,5,6,8]arenes and their water-soluble sulfonated derivatives

p-Phenylcalix[4,5,6,8]arenes have been isolated from the base catalysed condensation of p-phenylphenol with formaldehyde in tetralin, and selectively converted to the corresponding sulfonated derivatives using sulfuric or chlorosulfonic acids.