An upper-rim-substituted calix[4]arene tetracarboxylic acid forms hydr
ogen-bonded duplexes with lower-rim-substituted tetra(4-pyridyl)- and
tetra(3-pyridyl)calix[4] arenes in chloroform. The formation of these
adducts was studied by extraction experiments. The association constan
ts determined via H-1 NMR dilution experiments in CDCl3 are 7.6 x 10(3
) and 1.3 x 10(3) M(-1) for the 4-pyridyl and the 3-pyridyl derivative
, respectively. IR studies in the solid state and in solution indicate
that the interaction is based on hydrogen bonding and that the degree
of proton transfer is negligible. VPO measurements support the format
ion of 1:1 adducts.