Potentially heteroditopic receptors 1c-h are easily obtained by exhaus
tive alkylation of (1,3)-calix[5]crown-6 triols 1a (R' = Bu-t) or 1b (
R' = H) with alkyl bromoacetates. H-1 NMR titration experiments provid
e clear evidence for a dual (endo-cavity and/or exo-cavity) binding mo
de of alkylammonium cations to hosts 1c-h, depending on the shape of t
he guest and the size of substituents at the upper rim. (C) 1998 Elsev
ier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.