Novel synthesis of hybrid calixphyrin macrocycles

[GRAPHICS] The reaction of benzaldehyde with excess pyrrole at room temperature in the absence of solvent affords a mixture of meso-substituted polypyrranes spec ies. After separation by column chromatography, these may be used to prepar e a range of calix[4]phyrin macrocycles by condensation with acetone under conditions of acid catalysis.