Synthesis and configurational analysis of phosphonate cavitands

Synthesis, separation and configurational analysis of phosphonated and partially phosphonated cavitands derived from resorcinarenes are described. The configuration of all diastereomers has been elucidated by their 1H, 31P NMR spectra and 13C relaxation times. In all cases the course of the bridging reaction favours the formation of the sterically more crowded stereoisomers having the PO groups oriented outward with respect to the cavity