Abstract A facile synthesis of 25, 26, 27, 28-tetrakis (alkyloxy)-2, 8, 14, 20-tetrathiacalix [4] arene-5, 11, 17, 23-tetrasulfonate via ipso substitution of p-tert-butylthiacalix [4] arene tetraalkyl ether with sulfuric acid is described. Ionic interaction of anionic thiacalix [4] arene and cationic porphyrins were quantitatively studied by UV-vis, fluorescence, 1H NMR and ESI-MS spectrometry. Binding constants were in the range of 108 M-1. Binding with axial ...