A Tetrahomodioxacalix[6]arene as a Ditopic Ligand for Uranyl Ions with Carbonate or Carbamate Bridges

The first crystal structures of a p-tert-butyltetrahomodioxacalix[6]arene comprising two tri-phenolic subunits separated by two ether bridges and two of its complexes with uranyl ions are reported. The doubly deprotonated macrocycle assumes a much elongated, cone-like conformation including two organic species. Two binuclear uranyl complexes are described. In both, each cation is bound to the three phenoxide oxygen atoms of a tri-phenolic subunit and to a central, bridging, carbonate or carbamate ion. The formation of the latter ions from the amines used as bases is discussed.