An expedient route to p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene 1,3-diethers via Mitsunobu reactions

Regioselective distal dialkylation of p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene with alcohols was performed under the Mitsunobu protocol using the DEAD/TPP system. The method provides a versatile tool for obtaining 1,3-diethers with different functional groups in the alkyl chains.