Synthesis of functional (thia)calix[4]arene derivatives using modular azide-alkyne cycloaddition approach

Today, the modification of the organic molecules using the copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition reaction (CuAAC) is of great interest, as evidenced by the Nobel Prize in Chemistry awarded in 2022 to the founder of “click” chemistry. Supramolecular chemistry, in turn, is one of the actively developing branches of modern science. Using the CuAAC approach is a very convenient method to obtain new macrocyclic structures of interest. This review focuses on the use of the modular “click”-chemistry approach for the synthesis of various triazole derivatives of thiacalix[4]arenes and calix[4]arenes as well as general routes for the synthesis of their precursors (azides and alkynes). Examples of some functional systems based on triazole-containing macrocycles, such as chemosensors, multicalixarenes, amphiphilic calixarenes as well as examples of the use of triazole calixarenes for bioapplications are described.