Bis-thiourea macrocycles incorporating fused [n]polynorbornanes: binding of flexible versus rigid dicarboxylates

Two macrocyclic bis-thiourea hosts 5 and 6 were constructed and their interactions with two dicarboxylates of similar size (pimelate = flexible and terephthalate = rigid) were evaluated using ¹H NMR titration techniques. In contrast to previous work with thiourea functionalised [n]polynorbornanes (where a notable increase in H:G affinity was noted for the rigid guest), the new macrocyclic hosts, in particular host 6, bind pimelate more strongly than terephthalate (for 6 binding pimelate log K_a = 4.7, terephthalate log K_a = 3.7). A binding arrangement in which the flexible dicarboxylate is ‘perched’ above the macrocycle is proposed to justify these results.     

Activity of α‐Chymotrypsin in Cationic and Nonionic Micellar Media: Ultraviolet and Fluorescence Spectroscopic Approach

α‐Chymotrypsin (α‐CT) activity was measured in aqueous buffer with the following alkyltriphenylphosphonium bromide surfactants in the series cetyl, tetradecyl, and dodecyl as a tail length. For the sake of comparison with mixed micellar investigation on activity of α‐CT, cationic cetyltriphenylphosphonium bromide (CTPB) and nonionic surfactant Triton X‐100, Brij‐56, Brij‐35, Tween 20, and Igepal Co‐210 have been used. The p‐nitrophenyl acetate (PNPA) hydrolysis rate was determined at the surfactant concentration of both cationic and mixed micellar systems by a UV–vis spectrophotometer. The catalytic reaction follows the Michaelis–Menten mechanism, and the catalytic efficiency (k_cat/K_M) was evaluated for both homogeneous and mixed‐micellar media. The maximum catalytic efficiency was observed at 5 mM concentration of CTPB, but the highest catalytic efficiency, 572 M^?1 s^?1, was measured in the presence of mixed micellar (7.5 mM CTPB + 2.5 mM Tween‐20). The fluorescence (FL) spectra showed the differences of α‐CT conformations in the presence of cationic surfactants. The FL results suggest that the influence of cationic surfactant on proteolysis arises from the interaction with the α‐CT. The binding constant, k_sv, of α‐CT with cationic aggregates was determined in the buffer using the Stern–Volmer equation by the fluorescence spectroscopic approach.     

Monolayers and Langmuir–Blodgett films of amphiphilic tetramethylsulphonatocalix[4]resorcinarene and their interactions with polyethyleneimine and caeruloplasmin

The paper deals with the surface films of amphiphilic tetramethylsulphonatocalixresorcinarene (R = C₁₁H₂₃) 1 insoluble in water but forms rigid stable non-collapsing films at the water–air interface. Compression isotherms were used to investigate the interactions of the macrocycle films with two polymers fed to the aqueous subphases: synthetic – polyethyleneimine (PEI) and natural – an oxidase enzyme caeruloplasmin (CP). The interactions of the surface films of 1 with these substrates are predominantly dictated by the nature of the macromolecules and not by macrocycle interactions with their individual fragments. CP having retained its globular structure was extracted in the layer of 1 and became the dominating component of the film. The synthetic macromolecule of PEI, six times lower in its weight than CP, did not affect the morphology of the interfacial film, involved in the interactions only with its hydrophilic part directed inside the water.     

Stability and bonding of disilyne and its isomers: A generalized valence bond-effective potential study

We have employed an effective potential and a single-zeta basis in SCF–MO computations to estimate the relative stability of linear disilyne HSiSiH and five isomeric structures defined in earlier all-electron ab initio SCF–MO computations. The effect of electron correlation has been estimated by generalized valence-bond (GVB ) computations for the five valence electron pairs of these structures. All our computations indicate that linear disilyne is the least stable structure and that H₂SiSi, the silicon analog of vinylidene carbene, is the most stable structure. In these structures silicon occurs in divalent and tetravalent states. The nature of silicon bonding in these valence states is illustrated by contour diagrams of the GVB orbital pairs.     

DFT calculation of benzoazacrown ethers and their complexes with calcium perchlorate

The complexation constants of several azacrown ethers with Ca(ClO₄)₂ were determined and turned out to be the higher, the large the macrocycle. The structures of free ligands and their complexes and the complexation energies were calculated by the DFT method. In the aza-12(15)-crown-4(5) ether complexes with Ca(ClO₄)₂, the metal cations lie outside the averaged plane of heteroatoms of the macrocycle, and the coordination of both counterions is V-like. In the complexes of aza-18-crown-6 ethers, the counterions are in the axial position relatively to the macrocycle in the center of which the Ca²⁺ ion is localized. The complexation energies increase with an increase in the size of the azacrown ether macrocycle. The involvement of the nitrogen atom in binding with the Ca²⁺ ion decreases with the expansion of the macrocycle. Two methods for quantitative estimation of the degree of pre-organization of ligands to complexation were considered: geometric and energetic methods. Benzoaza-15-crown-5 ether is a ligand which is more pre-organized to complexation than N-phenylaza-15-crown-5 ether.     

Syntheses,crystal structures,and spectroscopic properties of copper(II) complexes with 3,14-diethyl-2,6,13,17-tetraazatricyclo(16.4.0.07,12)docosane

[Cu(L)(NO₃)₂] (1) and [Cu(L)(H₂O)₂](SCN)₂ (2) [L?=?3,14-diethyl-2,6,13,17-tetraazatricyclo(16.4.0.0^7,12)docosane] have been prepared and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction at 100?K. For these constrained macrocycle complexes, copper(II) exists in a tetragonally distorted octahedral environment with the four nitrogen atoms of the macrocyclic ligands and two oxygen atoms from either nitrate or water in axial positions. The macrocyclic ligands in both complexes adopt the most stable trans-III conformation. The Cu–N distances are 2.021(2)–2.047(2)?Å and typical but the axial ligands are weakly coordinating, with Cu–O bond lengths, 2.506(2)?Å for 1 and 2.569(2)?Å for 2, due to the pseudo Jahn–Teller effect. The crystals are stabilized by a 3-D network by intra and intermolecular hydrogen bonds that are formed among the secondary nitrogen hydrogen atoms and nitrate in 1, and intermolecular hydrogen bonds are formed by water and thiocyanates in 2. The electronic absorption and IR spectral properties are also discussed.     

Synthesis and anion binding properties of 1,8-disulfonamidocarbazole dipyrromethane Schiff-base macrocycle & its amine analogue

A novel 1,8-disulfonamidocarbazole-dipyrromethane Schiff-base macrocycle (1) and its amine analogue (2) were designed and synthesised, and their anion binding properties were studied via UV–vis and ¹H NMR titration spectra. The obtained results showed that a small change in the macrocyclic structure (by reducing imines into the corresponding amines) produced a remarkable impact on its binding affinity and selectivity for anions. For example, macrocycle 1 displayed a 7.9:1 F^?/H₂PO₄^? selectivity; however, its amine analogue 2 showed a 78.5:1 F^?/H₂PO₄^? selectivity.     

Molecular Receptors. Structural Effects and Substrate Recognition in Binding of Organic and Biogenic Ammonium Ions by Chiral Polyfunctional Macrocyclic Polyethers Bearing Amino-Acid and Other Side-Chains

The stability constants of the complexes formed by the polyfunctional macro-cyclic receptor molecules of type 1 with cationic substrates have been determined and analyzed in terms of structural factors. The binding strength is dominated by electrostatic interactions; the tetracarboxylate 1 (O^?) forms by far the most stable complexes of all known macrocyclic polyethers. Lipophilic groups also significantly enhance stabilities, stressing the role of such residues in biological receptor sites. The complexation selectivity of organic ammonium cations is determined by two main factors: (a) central discrimination, resulting from the macrocyclic cavity, strongly favors binding of primary ammonium cations with respect to more highly substituted ones and also distinguishes among (R-NH₃⁺)-substrates differently substituted on the C(α)-atom; (b) lateral discrimination arises from interactions between the substrate and the side chains borne by the macrocycle; again electrostatic and lipophilic group effects play the major role; diammonium cations are especially strongly bound. Complexation of biogenic amines follows the same trends; for instance noradrenaline and norephedrine are selectively bound with respect to adrenaline and ephedrine, pointing towards potential applications in selective binding and transport of biologically active substances.     

Nitro derivatives of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-alkylbenzoaza-15-crown-5: synthesis,structures, and complexation with metal and ammonium cations

A number of N-alkylnitrobenzoaza-15-crown-5 with the macrocycle N atom conjugated with the benzene ring were obtained. The structural and complexing properties of these compounds were compared with those of model nitrobenzo- and N-(4-nitrophenyl)aza-15-crown-5 using X-ray diffraction, ¹H NMR spectroscopy, and DFT calculations. The macrocyclic N atom of benzoazacrown ethers are characterized by a considerable contribution of the sp3-hybridized state and a pronounced pyramidal geometry; the crownlike conformation of the macrocycle is preorganized for cation binding, which facilitates complexation. The stability constants of the complexes of crown ethers with the NH₄ ⁺, EtNH₃ ⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Ba²⁺ ions were determined by 1H NMR titration in MeCN-d₃. The most stable complexes were obtained with alkaline-earth metal cations, which is due to the higher charge density at these cations. The characteristics of the complexing ability of N-alkylnitrobenzoaza-15-crown-5 toward alkaline earth metal cations are comparable with analogous characteristics of nitrobenzo-15-crown-5 and are much better than those of N-(4-nitrophenyl)aza-15-crown-5.     

Synthesis and Spectral Properties of Macrocyclic Compounds Containing 1,3,4‐Thiadiazole Moeties Connected by a Carbon–Oxygen Bridge

The syntheses of 1∶1‐macrocycles 3 (n=1), unsymmetrical macrocycle 5 (m=0, n=1), 2∶2‐macrocycle 5 (m=n=1 and 2), 3∶3 macrocycle 7, and several open‐chain ethereal compounds prepared from 2,5‐dichloro‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole 1 and various polyethylene glycols dianions are described. Structural proofs are afforded by their mass and NMR spectral features. The quaternization studies of a few macrocycles with methyl iodide at elevated temperature furnished a diketo derivative 8 through a facile Hilbert–Johnson reaction.     

Structure and properties of small silicon and aluminum clusters

Small Si_n and Al_n clusters (n = 3–10) were studied with the semiempirical molecular orbital method (MO) method SINDO1. For each n, various structures were optimized to determine the most stable structure. To obtain good qualitative agreement with available ab initio calculations d orbitals had to be omitted from the basis set. Both silicon and aluminum tend to build three-dimensional structures rather than two- or one-dimensional structures, except for n = 3 or 4. The structure growth was studied by approaching various sites of stable structures with one or more atoms. It was found that silicon and aluminum exhibit different structure growth, and consequently, different most-stable structures. Ionization potentials, HOMO -LUMO energy differences, binding energies per atom, and average atomic valencies are presented.     

含2,6-二甲酰胺基吡啶单元的大环合成、结构及其对四面体构型阴离子的络合性质

采用前体二胺N,N’-(3-胺基苯基)-2,6-二甲酰亚胺吡啶(1)和5,5’-亚甲基双水杨醛(2)进行缩合反应得到含酚羟基的 [1+1] 席夫碱大环L1, 将其中席夫碱C=N双键还原得到环状骨架更具柔性的饱和大环L2. 通过1H NMR、FABMS和元素分析等对大环组成进行了表征, 并通过X射线单晶衍射解析了两个大环的晶体结构. 采用UV-Vis 光谱滴定技术对大环与系列阴离子的络合作用进行了考察, 结果表明席夫碱大环L1对四面体构型的阴离子H2PO4-、 HP2O73-和H2P2O72-有明显的选择性识别作用, 进一步通过UV-Vis 光谱、核磁滴定等技术获得了识别反应的配位比及平衡常数(K), L1对3个磷酸阴离子的络合能力依H2PO4-、HP2O73-和H2P2O72-顺序递增。     

Study of the complexation of 5,17-bis-(N-tolyliminomethyl)-25,27-dipropoxycalix[4]arene with pyridine carboxylic acids by RP HPLC and molecular modelling

Host–guest complexation process of 5,17-bis-(N-tolyliminomethyl)-25,27-dipropoxycalix[4]arene with pyridine carboxylic acids by RP HPLC method (mobile phase – MeCN/H₂O, 86/14 by volume, LiChrosorb RP 18, UV detector, λ = 254 nm) had been studied. The binding constants and Gibbs free energies of the complexes 5,17-bis(N-tolyliminomethyl)-25,27-dipropoxycalix[4]arene with the pyridine carboxylic acids are within 584 to 1914 M^? 1 and ? 15.76 to ? 18.69 kJ/mol, respectively. It was shown by the molecular modelling that the complexes are stabilised by hydrogen bonds between carboxylic groups of the acids and nitrogen atoms of imino groups at the upper rim or oxygen atoms of the hydroxyl groups at the lower rim of the macrocycle. Linear dependence of the binding constants from the acid lipophilicity log P indicates the role of solvophobic interactions during the complexation process.     

Supramolecular nanoscale systems based on amphiphilic tetramethylensulfonatocalix[4]resorcinarenes and cationic polyelectrolyte with controlled guest molecule binding

The water-soluble tetramethylensulfonatocalix[4]resorcinarene with methyl (C1) and pentyl (C5) substitutes on the lower rim forms colloid nanoscale aggregates with poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) in aqueous solutions. The size and stability of nanoparticles depend on concentrations of the components and their ratio in the ‘calixarene-polymer’ system. Ternary supramolecular complexes «polymer–macrocycle–guest molecule L-tryptophan (Trp) in conditions of spontaneous pH (3.80 and 4.78 for C1-PDDA and C5-PDDA systems, respectively) in an aqueous solution and in phosphate buffer (pH 7) were investigated by fluorescence method. The addition of the third component – PDDA – to the «non-aggregated C1–Trp» associates leads to the release of Trp in all studied conditions. The possibility of the «binding–release» process of L-tryptophan in «C5–Trp» associates after PDDA addition in the ternary complex is achieved and controlled by the structure of the macrocyclic self-associates and pH conditions.     

Enhancing the Acceptor Character of Conjugated Organoborane Macrocycles: A Highly Electron-Deficient Hexaboracyclophane

We introduce a new boron-doped cyclophane, the hexabora[1₆]cyclophane B6-^FMes , in which six tricoordinate borane moieties alternate with short conjugated p-phenylene linkers. Exocyclic 2,4,6-tris(trifluoromethyl)phenyl (^FMes) groups serve not only to further withdraw electron density but at the same time sterically shield the boron atoms, resulting in a macrocycle that is both highly electron-deficient and stable. The optical and electronic properties are compared with those of related linear oligomers and the electronic structure is further evaluated by computational methods. The studies uncover unique properties of B6-^FMes , including a low-lying and extensively delocalized LUMO and a wide HOMO–LUMO gap, which arise from the combination of a cyclic π-system, strong electronic communication between the closely spaced borons, and the attachment of electron-deficient pendent groups. The binding of small anions to the electron-deficient macrocycle and molecular model compounds is investigated and emissive exciplexes are detected in aromatic solvents.     

Coordination compounds of cobalt porphyrins with nitrogen monoxide

Complex formation of NO and the NO ₂ ⁻ ion with cobalt porphyrins bearing various substituents in the porphyrin macrocycle, viz., tetraphenylporphine (1), β-octabromo-meso-tetraphenylporphyrin (2), protoporphyrin IX (3), and 5,10,15,20-tetra(4N-carboxymethylene-pyridyl)porphyrin tetrabromide (4), was studied. The stability constants of the nitrosyl and nitrite extracomplexes in water and in ethanol were determined. Porphyrin 4 forms the most stable extracomplexes. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 4, pp. 715–718, April, 2007.     

Synthesis and characterization of M(II) (M = Cd,Hg and Pb) complexes with naphthodiaza-crown macrocyclic ligand and study of metal ion recognition by fluorescence, 1H NMR spectroscopy,and DFT calculation

To find metal ion recognition by L (L = O₂N₂-donor naphthodiaza-crown macrocyclic ligand), the complexes [ML]²⁺ (M = Cd, Hg and Pb) were synthesized and characterized by IR, ¹H, ¹³C NMR, and mass spectrometry, as well as elemental microanalysis. Hg(II) showed perceptible enhancement of the fluorescence of L in which ultra-low limit of detection for Hg(II) by L was determined as 1 nM in ethanol and DMSO. L reserved selectivity of Hg(II) in its binary mixtures with metal cations in solution. A 1 : 1 stoichiometry was found for the interaction of Hg(II) with L while Benesi–Hildebrand method was applied to calculate its complexation binding constant (K_BH) employing fluorescence spectrophotometry. The monitoring of the chemical shifts in ¹H NMR spectra of these complexes demonstrated that the central macrocycle of L was tailored for the size of Hg(II). Density functional theory calculations using B₃LYP/6–31G* basis set demonstrated that the macrocycle cavity of L was properly fitted for complex formation with Hg(II) cation, while both Cd(II) and Pb(II) cations did not form strong bonds with L from inadequate cation size. The present study shows detection method of Hg(II) and also possible application of naphthodiaza as an appropriate fluorophore macrocyclic ligand for detecting other metal ions.     

Self-assembled vesicles from amphiphilic platinum(II) terpyridyl complex in water

A new cationic amphiphile (1) functionalised with platinum(II) terpyridyl unit was designed and synthesised to realize self-assembly in water. Using UV–vis and emission spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, cryogenic transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering and time-correlated single-photon counting technique, we have demonstrated that amphiphile 1 can self-assemble into stable vesicular aggregates upon direct dissolution in water, which is rarely observed in the literature.     

Antibacterial,nuclease, and SOD-mimic behaviors of copper(II) complexes of norfloxacin and phenanthrolines

Square-pyramidal complexes [Cu(NFL)(A ⁿ )Cl]?·?5H₂O (A ^{n ?}=?phenanthroline derivatives and NFL?=?deprotonated norfloxacin) have been synthesized and characterized. Interactions with Herring Sperm DNA and pUC19 DNA have been investigated. Mode and extent of interaction was measured by the perturbation in absorbance of complexes in the absence and presence of DNA. Hydrodynamic volume change and gel electrophoretic results were also kept under consideration. Synthesized complexes bind to DNA via intercalation with binding constant 0.875–1.446?×?10⁴?(mol?L^?1)^?1 based on bathochromism and hypochromism observed. Intercalative binding of complexes with DNA was further supported by relative viscosity, where 5 intercalates more strongly with most increase in relative viscosity, and K _b value of 1.446?×?10⁴?(mol?L^?1)^?1. Evaluation of electrophoretic separation of plasmid on agarose gel reveals that 5 cleaves more efficiently. Square-pyramidal geometry at the metal center supports superoxide-dismutase (SOD)-mimic behavior in addition to an electron-withdrawing group on the ancillary ligand stabilizing Cu–O bonding.     

Enhancing the Acceptor Character of Conjugated Organoborane Macrocycles: A Highly Electron‐Deficient Hexaboracyclophane

We introduce a new boron‐doped cyclophane, the hexabora[1₆]cyclophane B6‐^FMes , in which six tricoordinate borane moieties alternate with short conjugated p‐phenylene linkers. Exocyclic 2,4,6‐tris(trifluoromethyl)phenyl (^FMes) groups serve not only to further withdraw electron density but at the same time sterically shield the boron atoms, resulting in a macrocycle that is both highly electron‐deficient and stable. The optical and electronic properties are compared with those of related linear oligomers and the electronic structure is further evaluated by computational methods. The studies uncover unique properties of B6‐^FMes , including a low‐lying and extensively delocalized LUMO and a wide HOMO–LUMO gap, which arise from the combination of a cyclic π‐system, strong electronic communication between the closely spaced borons, and the attachment of electron‐deficient pendent groups. The binding of small anions to the electron‐deficient macrocycle and molecular model compounds is investigated and emissive exciplexes are detected in aromatic solvents.