Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 4, 2026

Fabrication of Carbon-Based Ionic Electromechanically Active Soft Actuators
Published on: April 25, 2020
Selective monoalkylation of p-tert-butylcalix-[4]-arene in a methyl carbonate ionic liquid
R E Whiteside1, H Q Nimal Gunaratne, A F V Muzio
1QUILL Research Centre, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Queen's University of Belfast, Stranmillis Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland BT9 5AG, UK. rwhiteside05@qub.ac.uk p.nockemann@qub.ac.uk.
Abstract:
Methyl carbonate ionic liquids are shown to readily mono-deprotonate p-tert-butylcalix-[4]-arenes initiating the formation of an organic mono-anionic p-tert-butylcalix-[4]-arate salt, methanol and carbon dioxide. These calix-[4]-arate salts have been successfully used in alkylation reactions with dialkyl sulfates and alkyl halides to form a mono-alkylated single product with high yield. This method avoids the common use of alkali metal bases such as caesium fluoride hence providing a safer and more selective synthetic route.
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