This review article is the second in a series covering advances in the synt
hetic and molecular recognition chemistry of calixpyrrole macrocycles (meso
-octasubstituted porphyrinogens). Significant progress has been made in the
last three years in the use of calix[4]pyrroles as redox-active or optical
sensors for anions. This period has also been marked by a number of prepar
ative advances, including the synthesis of N-confused calix[4]pyrroles, the
synthesis of extended cavity calix[4]pyrroles, and the synthesis of 'highe
r order' or 'expanded' calix[n]pyrroles (n > 4). (C) 2001 Elsevier Science
B.V. All rights reserved.