Supersized bilayers based on an O-alkyl substituted calix[4]arene

Attaching C₁₈ alkyl chains to the O-rim of calix4arene in the cone conformation affords crystalline solids, as toluene or benzene inclusion complexes, where the four alkyl chains from each calixarene form a continuous hexagonal motif through interplay with alkyl chains from other calixarenes orientated in the same and opposite directions in a bilayer arrangement, despite the absence of polar head groups.