Conformational interconversions of partially dehydroxylated calix[4]arenes. A molecular mechanics study1†

Abstract

The rotational pathways of the cone↔cone topomerisation for a series of dehydroxylated calix[4]arenes 2–5 have been calculated using the MM3 force field. The key intermediates and rate-limiting steps have been identified and characterised. The low barriers obtained for phenyl residue rotation suggest that the compounds should be partially flexible at low temperatures. The results are discussed in relation to available experimental data.