The design of selective and effective binding host-guest systems are an important challenge in modern supramolecular chemistry. Calixarenes are potent size-selective receptors for a variety of substrates, in particular, for inorganic and organic cations. During the last two decades, resorcin[4]arenes - members of the calixarene family - have attracted broad interest in supramolecular chemistry and molecular recognition.

In the course of this dissertation a systematical investigation of the complexation behaviour of several quaternary ammonia ions regarding resorcin[4]arene, its methylated derivative and pyrogallo[4]arenes was accomplished by using microcalorimetry techniques in order to elucidate the thermodynamical aspects.