Chiral p-tert-butylcalix [4] arenes functionalized at the lower rim with amino acid residues have been prepared. The 1H and 13C NMR spectra indicate that the macrocycles preferably adopt a cone conformation. Calix [4] arenes bearing amino acid moieties were prepared as a class of receptors selective for anions that are bound through hydrogen bonding with the NH group. The association constants are dependent on the nature of the substituents at ...