Reactivity of carbonyl and phosphoryl groups at calixarenes

Examples of reactivity of carbonyl and phosphoryl compounds controlled by calixarenes are illustrated in this review article. The molecular framework of calixarenes has been widely used as a versatile molecular platform for the dynamic arrangement of one or more structural units working as recognition and/or catalytic sites, in many cases with considerable levels of cooperation. The calixarene cavity itself has also been involved as a recognition unit for inclusion of the substrate or of part-structures of the substrate. Unique reactivity patterns of carbonyl or phosphoryl functional groups organised at the upper or lower rim of calixarenes will also be illustrated.