Conformational mobilities of the units and host–guest complexation with n-octyltrimethylammonium hexafluorophosphate of the synthesized perbenzylated pillar[5]arenes were studied. The formed complex was confirmed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectral analysis. Hydroxylated pillar[5]arene-based amphiphiles were synthesized by a co-cyclization strategy followed by catalytic hydrogenation. This approach unlocks the synthesis and the design of a wide range of structural manipulations to these amphiphilic pillararenes.
![Graphical abstract: An alternative route for the synthesis of hydroxylated pillar[5]arene-based amphiphiles](http://hg.y866.cn/compound/lib/scimg/usr/1/C8OB02074D.jpg)