Synthesis, optical resolution and absolute configuration of inherently chiral calixarene carboxylic acids

Both enantiomers of inherently chiral calixarene carboxylic acids with ABCD substitution patterns have been prepared by the benzoylation of 25-propoxy-27-(R)-N-(α-phenylethyl)amidomethyloxycalix[4]arene followed by resolution of the diastereomers formed, monobromination of them and removal of the benzoyl and α-phenylethylamide auxiliary groups. The absolute configuration of the calixarenes obtained has been established by X-ray analysis. Preliminary study of the chiral recognition properties of calixarene carboxylic acid was performed.     

Appending aromatic moieties at the para- and meta-position of calixarene phenol rings via p-bromodienone route

The silver-mediated nucleophilic substitution on calixarene p-bromodienone derivatives (the ‘p-bromodienone route’) with activated aromatic substrates allows the introduction of aromatic moieties at the para- or meta-position of calixarene aromatic rings. Less reactive substrates mainly afford C-O para-coupled derivatives, while more activated ones mainly give inherently chiral, C-C meta-coupled products through a dienone-phenol rearrangement of the intermediate dienone derivative. Examples of C-C para-coupling and O-C coupling at the endo calixarene oxygen atom were also observed.     

Self-assembly via ionic interactions of calix[6]arene-based receptors displaying remarkable host-guest properties toward neutral guests

The association of a C_3v-symmetrical calix[6]tris-amine with different concave tris-carboxylic acids of various degrees of flexibility has been explored by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. In all cases, self-assembled structures directed by the selective inclusion of a neutral guest molecule were obtained, the more preorganized being stable in protic solvents. With a rigid C₃-symmetrical cap, chiral guest recognition in the calixarene cavity resulted. A large tris-acidic partner gave a unique molecular ditopic receptor that is able to simultaneously accommodate two neutral molecules in two distinct hydrophobic cavities with different binding processes.     

Enantiopure inherently chiral calix[4]arene derivatives containing quinolin-2-yl-methanol moiety: Synthesis and application in the catalytic asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to benzaldehyde

A series of novel N,O-type chiral ligands derived from enantiopure inherently chiral calix[4]arenes containing quinolin-2-yl-methanol moiety in the cone or partial-cone conformation have been synthesized and characterized. Moreover, they have been applied to the catalytic asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to benzaldehyde, which represents the first example that the inherently chiral calixarene can be used as the chiral ligands for the catalytic asymmetric synthesis.     

Chirality Sensing and Size Discrimination of Anions by Macrotricyclic Cyclen–Disodium Complexes

Two macrotricyclic ligands composed of two face-to-face octadentate metal chelates were synthesized. These cage-shaped disodium complexes had special recognition ability for various counter anions. Specific chiral dicarboxylates bound to the complexes within the cavity and exhibited chirality induction properties. For instance, N-Boc-Asp dianion strongly induced circular dichroism (CD) signals, but N-Boc-Glu dianion, which is one carbon longer, did not.     

Mercuration of calix[4]arenes immobilized in the 1,2- and 1,3-alternate conformations

Calix[4]arenes immobilized in the 1,2-alternate and 1,3-alternate conformations were directly mercurated using Hg(TFA)₂. The reaction regioselectivity was compared with the thermodynamic stability of the corresponding products obtained by theoretical calculations (wB97XD/def2tzvp method). Both experimental and theoretical data suggest that para substitution is slightly preferred over meta attack for the 1,2-alternate conformer, while in the case of the 1,3-alternate conformation the situation is reversed. The usefulness of the mercury intermediates was demonstrated by the synthesis of a rigid upper-rim-bridged calixarene in the 1,2-alternate conformation possessing a highly distorted cavity. A simple transformation of the organomercury compounds afforded the corresponding iodo derivatives, which are potentially applicable as building blocks for further synthesis. Moreover, many products are inherently chiral representing unique substitution patterns inaccessible by common “mercury-free” chemistry.     

Study on the Influence of Chirality in the Threading of Calix[6]arene Hosts with Dialkylammonium Axles

The influence of chirality in calixarene threading has been studied by exploiting the “superweak anion approach”. In particular, the formation of chiral pseudo[2]rotaxanes bearing a classical stereogenic center in their axle and/or wheel components has been considered. Two kind of pseudo[2]rotaxane stereoadducts, the “endo-chiral” and “exo-chiral” ones, having the stereogenic center of a cationic axle inside or outside, respectively, the calix-cavity of a chiral calixarene were preferentially formed with specifically designed chiral axles by a fine exploitation of the so-called “endo-alkyl rule” and a newly defined “endo-α-methyl-benzyl rule” (threading of a hexaalkoxycalix[6]arene with a directional (α-methyl-benzyl)benzylammonium axle occurs with an endo-α-methyl-benzyl preference). The obtained pseudorotaxanes were studied in solution by 1D and 2D NMR, and in the gas-phase by means of the enantiomer-labeled (EL) mass spectrometry method, by combining enantiopure hosts with pseudoracemates of one deuterated and one unlabeled chiral axle enantiomer. In both instances, there was not a clear enantiodiscrimination in the threading process with the studied host/guest systems. Possible rationales are given to explain the scarce reciprocal influence between the guest and host chiral centers.     

Structural Characterization of l-proline and Morpholine Appended Chiral Calix[4]resorcinarene Molecules

Calix[4]resorcinarenes serve as host molecules for small guest molecules. Recently calixarenes have been appended to chiral molecules in an attempt to promote chiral recognition. To take advantage of both cavity host and chiral substituent properties the position of the chiral moiety is important. We report the synthesis and structural characterization of two calix[4]resorcinarene based molecules that have helical chirality in the solid state. The calix[4]resorcinarene 1 has chiral l-proline ethyl ester substituents positioned perpendicular to the cavity whereas the calix[4]resorcinarene 2 has morpholines positioned parallel to the cavity which extend the depth of the cavity. Compound 1 is one of the first compounds to show the position of chiral centers with respect to the calixarene cavity. 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy indicate that the helical chirality of 2 is retained at low temperature in nonpolar solvents.     

Complexation and extraction behavior of trivalent indium with multiple proton ionizable p�Ct-butylcalix[5]arene pentacaarboxylic acid derivative: a new efficient solvent extraction reagent for indium

Complexation behavior of plural ion-exchangeable p?Ct-butylcalix[5]arene pentacarboxylic acid derivative towards trivalent indium has been investigated along with its monomeric analog from weakly acidic media into chloroform. The cyclic structure of calixarene ligand providing certain cavity and cooperativity of functional groups significantly affect the complexation behavior and calixarene derivative is an excellent extractant over monomeric analog. The extraction mechanism is ion exchange and carboxylic acid groups are adequate functional sites for extraction. Mononuclear and/or polynuclear species of indium and monomeric or bridged dimeric species of calixarene are involved in complexation and the composition of extracted complex varied with solution pH. One mole of calix[5]arene derivative tend to extract 3.5 mol of indium. The loaded indium was quantitatively back extracted with 1 mol dm^?3 hydrochloric acid solution.     

Synthesis and enantioselective recognition of an (S)-BINOL-based colorimetric chemosensor for mandelate anions

New chiral receptors 1 and 2 based on (S)-BINOL and thiourea units were synthesized. The chiral recognition of receptors for chiral anions were studied by fluorescence, UV–vis, and ¹H NMR spectra. The results of the non-linear curve fitting indicated that the receptors and guest anions formed a 1:1 stoichiometric complex. The obvious color change of receptor 2 can be observed by the naked eye when the enantiomers of mandelate anions were added, which demonstrates that receptor 2 may be used as a colorimetric sensor for mandelate anions.     

Chiral recognition based on the kinetics of ion transfers across liquid/liquid interface

Three-phase electrodes in combination with square-wave voltammetry are applied to study the transfer kinetics of chiral anions from water to the chiral 2-octanol. The experimental system used consists of a pyrolytic graphite electrode partly modified with a thin film of one of the enantiomers of 2-octanol, which was immersed into an aqueous solution containing anions of chiral 2-chloropropionic acid, 2-bromopropionic acid, or lactic acid. It is demonstrated that the kinetics of the ion transfer is a stereoselective. The rate of the ion transfer is higher when uncomplimentary transferring ion–solvent chiral isomers are used, i.e., (R)-ion and (S)-solvent, or (S)-ion and (R)-solvent. To the best of our knowledge this is the first evidence for the difference in the ion transfer kinetics of chiral isomers across water/chiral organic solvent interface.     

Bio-inspired Calix[6]Arene–Zinc Funnel Complexes

A bio-inspired supramolecular system is presented. A calix[6]arene possessing three imidazolyl arms on alternate phenolic positions binds a zinc ion. The resulting complex contains a hydrophobic pocket, which has a flattened conic shape. The system behaves as a selective molecular funnel for neutral guests that bind the metal centre. The exceptional stability of these tetrahedral dicationic complexes is exemplified by the acetaldehyde ternary adduct that was analysed by X-ray crystallography. The ligand is deeply buried in the heart of the calixarene cavity, pointing its methyl group selectively towards the centre of one of the aromatic walls, thereby establishing a stabilizing CH/π interaction. Protic guests undergo hydrogen bonding with the phenolic oxygens of the calixarene structure. The selectivity of the binding in the cavity is based on both the affinity of the donor atom of the guest ligand for the zinc ion and the relative host–guest geometries. The helical shape of the tris-imidazolyl groups binding the metal centre is the base of the chirality of the system. The twisted calix[6]arene structure of the zinc funnel complexes is shown to provide a new example of a cavity suitable for host–guest chiral induction.     

New Chiral Calixarene Derivatives： Syntheses and Their Chiral Recognition Toward Amino Acids by UV-Vis Spectroscopy

Three novel types of chiral calixarene derivatives 5, 8, and 10 were designed and synthesized by introducing chiral units to parent calixarenes. Their chiralities were confirmed by rotational analysis. Chiral recognition properties of these host compounds towards L- and D-threonine were studied by UV-Vis spectroscopy. The results indicated that calixarene derivatives 5 and 8 exhibited good chiral recognition capabilities toward L- or D-threonine. Although calixarene derivative 10 had no evident chiral recognition ability, the supramolecules of calixarene derivative 10 with L- or D-threonine showed a hypochromic effect or hyperchromic effect respectively. Therefore, calixarene derivative 10 might serve as a good chiral UV-indicator.     

Membrane-active calixarenes: toward ‘gating’ transmembrane anion transport

This paper describes on-going efforts to develop calixarene amides as transmembrane anion transporters. We report on the transport of Cl⁻ anions across phospholipid membranes as mediated by some lipophilic calixarenes, all fixed in the cone conformation. We present significant findings regarding use of these calixarenes as transmembrane Cl⁻ transporters: (1) the cone conformer cone-H 2a, like its 1,3-alt and paco isomers, transports Cl⁻ across liposomal membranes; (2) the conformation of the calixarene (paco-H 1 vs cone-H 2a) is important for modulating Cl⁻ transport rates; (3) the substitution pattern on the calixarene's upper rim is crucial for Cl⁻ transport function; and (4) at least one of the four arms of the calixarene can be left unmodified without loss of function, enabling development of a pH-sensitive anion transporter (TAC-OH 3). This last finding is useful given the interest in gating the activity of synthetic ion transporters with external stimuli.     

Unusual stoichiometry of urea-derivatized calix[4]arenes induced by anion complexation

Calix[4]arenes bearing two p-nitrophenyl-ureido functions at the upper rim are effective anion binders. The stoichiometry of complexation depends on the substitution pattern (distal vs proximal) and anion concentration. While the distally substituted receptor forms 1:1 complexes with anions, the corresponding proximal derivative prefers the 2:1 stoichiometry (calixarene:anion) under identical conditions.     

Receptors for organochlorine pesticides based on calixarenes

The water soluble 4-sulfocalix[n]arenes (with n?=?4,6,8) have been investigated as potential synthetic receptors for cyclodiene organochlorine pesticides. Steady state fluorescence experiments in ethanol solution have shown that only the cavitands with n equal to 6 and 8 form complexes, of comparable stability, with heptachlor. Electrochemical data, obtained in water solution, confirmed the ability of 4-sulfocalix[6]arene to bind the heptachlor, unlike the smaller calixarene. Moreover, a significant increase in the stability constant is observed in water solutions. This stability is caused by the sterical hindrance of pesticides with respect to the cavity dimension of the calixarene. This results in a selective interaction of this molecule with other organochlorine pesticides. Binding experiments, carried out with endosulfan have shown that, despite of chemical similarity, 4-sulfocalix[6]arene and 4-sulfocalix[8]arene behave in a very different way: the former is unable to bind this pesticide, while the latter shows a binding constant of 4.7?×?10⁵ with endosulfan. To investigate the molecular features of the interactions, molecular dynamic simulations of 4-sulfocalix[6]arene in presence of heptachlor in water solution have been performed. These simulations show that different configurations of heptachlor inside the calixarene cavity are equally populated and easily interconverting, suggesting that a non specific hydrophobic interaction plays a key role in the complex stability. These studies have permitted to individuate versatile synthetic receptors for organochlorine pesticides.     

Syntheses of chiral homoazacalix[4]arenes incorporating amino acid residues: molecular recognition for racemic quaternary ammonium ions

Chiral calixarene analogues incorporating amino acid residues into the macrocyclic rings were prepared from the cyclization reactions of bis(chloromethyl)phenol-formaldehyde tetramer with amino acid methyl ester in moderate yields. The macrocycles form a chiral concavity, which is induced by the chiral transmission from the point chirality of the amino acid residues to the phenol-formaldehyde tetramer unit. The macrocycles have the cavity pi-basic enough to include the quaternary ammonium ion due to the cation-pi interaction and can serve as a shift reagent for racemic ammonium ions during 1H NMR analysis.     

Synthesis and structure of [2-oxo(thioxo)tetrahydropyrimidin-4-yl]calix[4]arenes

Cone-shaped di- and tetrapropoxycalix[4]arenes functionalized at the upper rim with one or two 2-oxo(thioxo)tetrahydropyrimidine residues were synthesized by the Biginelli reaction of formylcalixarenes with urea (thiourea) and methyl acetoacetate. The steric structure of the products was studied by NMR and X-ray diffraction. The Biginelli reaction with dipropoxyformylcalixarene was diastereoselective, and it quantitatively produced the corresponding meso form. Tetrapropoxydiformylcalixarenes under analogous conditions gave rise to equimolar mixtures of racemic and meso compounds. The macrocyclic skeleton of the synthesized pyrimidine-containing calixarenes in crystal and in solution has a flattened cone conformation. (5-Methoxycarbonyl-2-oxotetrahydropyrimidin-4-yl)calixarene molecules in crystal undergo self-organization to form infinite chains via repeated inclusion of the methoxy group into the cavity of the neighboring macrocycle. Selforganization of bis(5-methoxycarbonyl-2-oxotetrahydropyrimidin-4-yl)calixarene with formation of analogous chains involves intermolecular hydrogen bonding NH ... O=C.     

A practical diastereoselective synthesis of β-hydroxy-β-trifluoromethyl imines

The asymmetric carbon-carbon bond formation reaction affording chiral β-hydroxy-β-trifluoromethyl imines is reported involving the nucleophilic addition of sulfinimine anions derived from chiral N-(tert-butanesulfinyl) ketimines to trifluoromethyl ketones. The reaction tolerates a wide range of nucleophiles, giving the condensation products in good to excellent total yields with good diastereoselectivities (up to 85:15 dr).     

Novel and highly efficient bifunctional calixarene thiourea derivatives as organocatalysts for enantioselective Michael reaction of nitroolefins with diketones

New bifunctional calixarene thiourea organocatalysts were synthesized and applied in catalytic asymmetric Michael addition of acetylacetone to various nitroolefins at room temperature. The corresponding adducts were obtained in good to excellent yields with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 92% ee). The present research demonstrates the advantages of incorporating two stereocontrolling structures into a single catalyst. Notably, it offers a simple and convenient doubly stereocontrolled approach for the catalytic asymmetric synthesis of a chiral organic molecule.