A novel synthesis of parent resorc[4]arene and its partial alkyl ethers

Treatment of 2,4-diisopropoxybenzyl alcohol with chlorotrimethylsilane in acetonitrile at room temperature for 1 h afforded a novel crystalline resorc[4]arene octaisopropyl ether in 96% yield. Protecting groups were cleaved by boron trichloride in dichloromethane within 30 min and the parent resorc[4]arene was isolated by flash chromatography in 76% yield. The outcome of the deprotection step was dependent on the conditions used as it is exemplified by a preparation of resorc[4]arene heptaisopropyl ether.