Calix[2]naphth[2]arene: A Class of Naphthalene–Phenol Hybrid Macrocyclic Hosts

Calix­[2]­naphth­[2]­arenes make up a new class of phenol–naphthalene hybrid macrocycles. X-ray studies show that calix[2]­naphth[2]­arene 1 adopts a 1,2-alternate conformation. Alkali metal cations are complexed by the calixnaphtharenes in a 1,2-alternate conformation, by cation···π interactions with the naphthalene walls, and by RO···M+ ion–dipole interactions. In the presence of Cs+, chiral complexes of calixnaphtharenes 5 and 6 were observed in which the cation is nested on one of the two faces of the macrocycle.