Synthesis of thiacalix[4]arene task-specific ionic liquids

The preparative methods for the synthesis of imidazolium and pyridinium room temperature task-specific ionic liquids possessing thiacalix[4]arene complexing groups in cationic or anionic fragments of the molecule are described. The cationic imidazolium and pyridinium derivatives of tetrabuthoxythiacalixarene existing in the conformation 1,3-alternate are capable to bind “soft” metal cations due to cooperative cation-π and ion–dipole interactions with spatially contiguous benzene rings and oxygen atoms of the thiacalixarene platform. The cone-shaped imidazolium salts of the tetrahydroxythiacalix[4]arene sulfonic acid can chelate cations of transition metals, lanthanides, and actinides by oxygen and sulfur atoms at the lower rim of macrocycle.