Tetraethers of calix[4]arenes fixed in the cone conformation and substituted at their wide rim by one to three CMPO residues and hydrogen atoms or t-butyl moieties in the remaining position(s) were synthesized. Liquid/liquid extraction studies of selected lanthanides and actinides were undertaken with these calix[4]arenes, including also a linear trimer, in order to obtain a better understanding for