Synthesis of metal-containing tetrolcavitands

The acid catalyzed condensation of resorcinol and acetaldehyde yields the parent resorcenarene. Subsequent bromination of the resorcenarene yielded the tetrabromo derivative. Base catalyzed bridging reaction afforded the cavitand. Nucleophilic attack on methylchloroformate yielded the cavitand tetraester. Subsequent reduction using lithium aluminum hydride afforded the tetrolcavitand. Metal complexation studies of the tetrolcavitand with group IV and group VI transition metals produced new tetra-alkoxy supported complexes in excellent yields. These results and the characterization of the metal complexes were discussed. This is an abstract of a paper presented at the 231st ACS National Meeting (Atlanta, GA 3/26-30/2006).