Synthesis of calix[4]dithiacrown platinum complexes and their catalytic behavior in the hydrosilylation of olefins with triethoxysilane

5,11,17,23-Tetrakis-1′, 1′-dimethylethyl-25,27-dihydroxy-26,28-1″, 7″, 13″-trioxa-4″, 10″-dithiatridecylcene-calix[4]arene (calix[4]dithiacrown-5) and its O-methylated derivate (dimethylcalix[4]dithiacrown-5) were synthesized from p -tert-butylcalix[4] arene via 1, 3-lower rim functionalization with chloroethyltosylate, followed by ring-closing condensation with β,β/t'-dimercaptoethyl ether in the presence of sodium ethoxide as a base in reflux ethanol under nitrogen atmosphere, followed by methylation with methyltosylate in the presence of NaH as a base in dioxane. It was found that they can coordinate with platinous chloride and the platinous complexes are efficient catalysts for the hydrosilylation of olefins with triethoxysilane.