Triton X surfactants are used in numerous commercial and industrial products. Large amounts of such surfactants and their various residual biodegradation by-products are ultimately released into the enviromment. The first synthesis of the group of Tr-polypodands (Triton polypodands), with different central atoms, such as Si, B or P, is reported. Results of this study demonstrate the potential of these compounds in some organic reactions in phase-transfer catalysis (PTC) conditions. The catalytic activity of Triton X (1) and Tr-podands (2-8) has been evaluated in an ion promoted reaction under solid-liquid phase-transfer catalysis conditions and compared with that of the earlier studied Si-podands (9-11), used as PTC agents. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.