The Department was founded in 1973 by Academician of the NASU L.M.Markovskii. He was in charge of the Department till 1988. Since 1988 Corresponding Member of the NASU V.I.Kalchenko is the Head of the Department. The staff of the Department is as follows: 2 Doctors of Science, 12 PhDs, 4 engineers.
The priority research direction is supramolecular chemistry of phosphorus-containing macrocyclic compounds.  The research work is directed to the molecular design, synthesis and study of supramolecular interactions of crown-ethers, calixarenes, thiacalixarenes and calixresorcinolarenes.  The aim of investigations is creation of highly selective receptors of molecules and ions, approaching in properties to the natural enzymes, and search for their practical application.  Original types of three-dimensional macrocyclic compounds optimally prearranged for creation of supramolecular complexes with metal cations, anions and neutral organic molecules and bio-molecules, including ecologically hazardous and biologically important ones, have been synthesized in the Department. Investigations proceed in the frames of joint projects with the scientists of Ukraine, Russia, Poland, Czech Republic, Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, USA.  Investigations resulted in elaboration of new phosphorus-containing calixarenes which in 2-3 order of magnitude exceed the known industrial extractants (trialkylphosphineoxides, carbamoylphosphineoxides, 2-diethylhexylphosphorus acid) in selectivity and extractivity of actinides, lanthanides, platinum group metals, technetium (the main components of nuclear fuel waste).
Chemo-sensor Electronic Nose has been created in collaboration with V.E.Lashkarev Institute of Semi-Conductors Physics NASU. The device can determine quality of foodstuff, drinks, perfumes and can also be used for monitoring of environment.
Calixarenephosphonic  acids have been obtained, these acids effectively and selectively inhibit alkali phosphatases and influence transportation of calcium in smooth  muscles. This opens new paths for creation of new antineoplastic and cardiovascular preparations (in collaboration with the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry and Petrochemistry Chemistry of NASU and Palladin Biochemistry Institute of NASU).  

 
1. Cherenok S., Dutasta J.-P., KalchenkoV. Phosphorus-containing chiral macrocycles// Current Organic Chemistry. - 2006. - Vol. 10. - P. 2307-2331.
2. Kalchenko V. Calixarene receptors of environmentally hazardous and bio-relevant molecules and ions // IUPAC.- 2008. – Vol. 80. P. 1449-1458.
3. RodikR.V., BoykoV.I., KalchenkoV. I. Calixarenes in bio-medical researches // Current Medicinal Chemistry.-  2009. Vol. 16. – P. 1630-1655.
4. Cherenok S., Kalchenko V. Phosphorus-containing calixarenes // Topics Heterocyclic Chemistry.  - 2009. - Vol. 20. – P. 229-273.
5. CherenokS., VovkA., MuravyovaI., ShivanyukA., KukharV., LipkowskiJ., KalchenkoV. Calix[4]arene ?-aminophosphonic acids: asymmetric synthesis and enantioselective inhibition of alkalinephosphatases // OrganicLetters. - 2006. - Vol. 8. - P. 549-552.
6. YakovenkoA.V.,  BoykoV.I.,   DanylyukO.,  SuwinskaK.,  LipkowskiJ.,   KalchenkoV.I.Diastereoselective lower rim(1S)-camphorsulfonylation astheshortest way to the inherently chiral calix[4]arene// OrganicLetters. - 2007. – N 9. - P. 1183-1185.
7. Kasyan O., Kalchenko V., Bolte V., Bohmer V. Hydrogen-bonded dimer sofa thiacalixarene substituted with carbamoylmethylphosphineoxide groups at the wide rim // J. Chem. Soc., Chem. Comm. - 2006. – P. 1932–1934.
8. Yakovenko A.V., BoykoV.I., KalchenkoV.I., BaldiniL., CasnatiA., SansoneF., UngaroR. N-Linked Peptidocalix[4]arene Bisureasas Enantioselective Receptors for Amino Acid Derivatives// J. Org. Chem. –  2007. – Vol. 72. – P. 3223-3231.