Fischer esterification of 5,5'-methylene-bis-salicylic acid (I) with methanolic HCl gives the dimethyl ester (II). Alkylation of the phenolic hydroxyls of (II) with 2,6-di(bromomethyl)naphthalene (III) affords the bis-naphthylmethyl ether (IV). Then, macrocyclization of dibromide (IV) with a further molecule of 5,5'-methylene-bis-salicylic acid dimethyl ester (II) produces the tetraoxacyclophane derivative (V). Finally, basic hydrolysis of the methyl ester groups of (V) produces the title tetracarboxylic acid.