Selective oxidation of thiacalix[4]arenes to the sulfinyl- and sulfonylcalix[4]arenes and their coordination ability to metal ions

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(98)01645-1

Thiacalix[4]arenes, in which the four methylene bridges of calix[4]arenes are replaced by sulfide linkages, were selectively oxidized to sulfinyl- or sulfonylcalix[4]arene under mild conditions with control of the stoichiometry of the oxidant. Solvent extraction of the transition and alkaline earth metal ions with these hosts showed that the metal binding ability was governed by the oxidation state of the sulfur functionalities.