The conformer distribution of 5, 11, 17, 23-tetrasulfonato-25, 26, 27, 28-tetramethoxycalix [4] arene (1) and 5, 11, 17, 23-tetrakis (trimethylammoniomethyl)-25, 26, 27, 28- tetramethoxycalix [4] arene (2) was estimated in an aqueous system. Surprisingly, these calix [4] arenes adopt a 1, 3-alternate conformation which has never been found as a major species in organic solvents but has been predicted to be most stable on the basis of ...