rho-Sulfonatocalix[4]arene was used as a selector in capillary electrophoresis to separate phenolic positional isomers. To avoid the detection interference caused by the high UV absorption of calixarene, the partial filling technique was applied. The operation variables, including buffer, separation voltage, the concentration of the selector and the plug length of the selector zone, were systematically optimized. The detection limits of mass were in the range of 0.07-0.28 pg. Molecular modeling was used to explain the interaction between calixarene and phenolic isomers.