The article describes the synthesis and evaluation of the dichromate anion (Cr2O72-/HCr2O7-) extraction properties of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene diamide derivatives (5-7) containing different binding sites. Among these compounds, 6 and 7 have been synthesized via aminolysis in a toluene-methanol solvent system with 3-aminomethylpyridine and 3,6-dioxa-1,8-diamino octane, respectively. On the other hand, compound 5 has been synthesized via an acid chloride method due to its inefficiency under aminolysis. The extraction properties of these diamides toward dichromate anions are studied by liquid-liquid extraction. The results show that p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene diamide derivative 7 exhibited a much higher affinity toward dichromate anions than that of 6 due to its special structure, while 5 was an ineffective ligand for these anions. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.