Direct synthesis of deep cavity p-phenylcalix[4]arene in poly(ethylene glycol), and its self-association in the solid state

p- Phenylcalix[4] arene is formed directly from p- phenylphenol in 66% yield (50% isolated yield) using poly( ethylene glycol) as the reaction medium, with crystallization of the pure cavitand from toluene mediated by p- carborane. The solid-state structure comprises interlocking columnar arrays.