Balancing on a Knife’s Edge: Studies on the Synthesis of Pillar[6]arene Derivatives

Pillar[6]arenes are established as crucial building blocks in supramolecular chemistry; however, they can be difficult to synthesize, particularly in the absence of large solubilizing substituents. In this work, we explore variability in literature syntheses of pillar[6]arene derivatives and suggest that the outcome is dependent on whether oligomeric intermediates stay in solution long enough for the thermodynamically favorable macrocyclization to occur. We demonstrate that in a previously capricious BF₃·OEt₂-mediated procedure, ≤5 mol % of a Brønsted acid can slow down the reaction to favor macrocycle formation.