Synthetic cavitands derived from resorcinarenes are good hosts for substrates bearing a trimethylammonium group.

We present here the synthesis of metal-salen-complex monofunctionalized cavitands.

Their application in the recognition and catalysis of specific substrates will be discussed.

Figure: Energy minimized structure (CaChe 4.9^©) of the complex between the Zn-Salen cavitand (stick) and PNPPC (CPK); the front wall and some hydrogens have been omitted for clarity.