Selective complexation of alkali metal ions and nanotubular cyclopeptides: a DFT study

A density functional theory based on interaction of alkali metal cations (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺ and Cs⁺) with cyclic peptides constructed from 3 or 4 alanine molecule (CyAla3 and CyAla4), has been investigated using mixed basis set (C, H, O, Li⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺ using 6-31+G(d), and the heavier cations: Rb⁺ and Cs⁺ using LANL2DZ). The minimum energy structures, binding energies, and various thermodynamic parameters of free ligands and their metal cations complexes have been determined with B3LYP and CAM-B3LYP functionals. The order of interaction energies were found to be Li⁺ > K⁺ > Na⁺ > Rb⁺ > Cs⁺ and Li⁺ > Na⁺ > K⁺ ? Rb⁺ > Cs⁺, calculated at CAM-B3LYP level for the M/CyAla3 and M/CyAla4 complexes, respectively. Their selectivity trend shows that the highest cation selectivity for Li⁺ over other alkali metal ions has been achieved on the basis of thermodynamic analysis. The main types of driving force host–guest interactions are investigated, the electron-donating O offers lone pair electrons to the contacting LP* of alkali metal cations.     

Synthesis, Cation-Binding and Optical Spectral Studies of Photoemmitive Benzothiazole Crown Ethers

Crown ethers 1–4, encompassing a photoemittive benzothiazole chromophore have been synthesised using standard protocols. Alkali metal picrate extraction profiles reveal that compared to the known crown ethers, benzothiazole benzo-15-crown-5 1 and benzothiazole dibenzo-18-crown-6 3 exhibit relatively higher % extraction for K⁺ than Na⁺ ions. The UV-visible and fluorescence spectra of 1–4, in comparison to their neutral forms were found to be red shifted on protonation due to enhanced intramolecular charge transfer transition. The ortho-substituted benzothiazole crowns 2–4 showed higher Stokes shifts compared to the para analog 1 in the presence of CF₃CO₂H, presumably due to H-bond assisted conformational restriction. No changes were noticeable in the absorption spectra in the presence of alkali metal ions. Even, fluorescence properties of 1–4 were not found to be drastically perturbed by these ions. While 1 exhibited slight quenching at alkali metal ion concentration over 10-folds with respect to that of 1, interestingly, 2–4 showed a slight enhancement of fluorescent intensity at least up to 10-fold concentration of metal ions over those of 2–4. Further increase of metal ion concentrations produces quenching effects. This behavior has been tentatively explained by invoking electrostatic interaction between these cations and the benzothiazole nitrogen ligand.     

Hydrogen Bonding and Solvent Effects on Complexation of Alkali Metal Cations by Lower Rim Calix[4]arene Tetra(O-[N-acetyl-D-phenylglycine methyl ester]) Derivative

Complexation of alkali metal cations with 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-26,28,25,27-tetrakis(O-methyl-D-α-phenylglycylcarbonylmethoxy)calix[4]arene (L) was studied by means of spectrophotometric, conductometric and potentiometric titrations at 25 °C. The solvent effect on the binding ability of L was examined by using two solvents with different affinities for hydrogen bonding, viz. methanol and acetonitrile. Despite the presence of intramolecular NH···O=C hydrogen bonds in L, which need to be disrupted to allow metal ion binding, this calix[4]arene amino acid derivative was shown to be an efficient binder for smaller Li⁺ and Na⁺ cations in acetonitrile (lg K _LiL  > 5, lg K _NaL  = 7.66), moderately efficient for K⁺ (lg K _KL  = 4.62), whereas larger Rb⁺ and Cs⁺ did not fit in its hydrophilic cavity. The complex stabilities in methanol were significantly lower (lg K _NaL  =  4.45, lg K _KL  = 2.48). That could be explained by different solvation of the cations and by competition between the cations and methanol molecules (via hydrogen bonds) for amide carbonyl oxygens. The influence of cation solvation on complex stability was most pronounced in the case of Li⁺ for which, contrary to the quite stable LiL ⁺ complex in acetonitrile, no complexation was observed in methanol under the conditions used.     

Fluorescent chemosensor for Cu2+ ion based on iminoanthryl appended calix[4]arene

Calix[4]arene based podands 1a of cone conformation and 1b of 1,3-alternate conformation possessing imine units and bearing anthracene moieties have been synthesized by a 1 + 2 Schiff base condensation in good yields and examined for their cation recognition abilities towards cations such as lithium, sodium, potassium, nickel, cadmium, copper, zinc, lead, silver and mercury ions by UV–vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. The calix[4]arene derivative 1b shows a selective fluorescence enhancement in presence of Cu²⁺ ions among the various metal ions tested (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Ni²⁺, Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺, Ag⁺ and Hg²⁺ ions). The colour of the solution changes from colourless to light yellow in the presence of Cu²⁺ ions. The stoichiometry of the complex formed between 1b and Cu²⁺ was found to be 1:1 as established by Job’s plot.     

A convenient synthesis of new thiaazacrown ethers and study of their complexation reactions with some transition metal cations in binary acetonitrile–chloroform mixture using the conductometric method

Three novel thiaazacrown ethers 1, 2 and 3 were synthesized in a simple way and in high yield. The complex formation between Ag⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺, Hg²⁺ and Cd²⁺ metal cations with thiaazacrown ethers 1, 2 and 3 have been studied in acetonitrile:chloroform (1:1) binary solvent system using conductometric technique. The conductance data show that the stochiometry of the complexes with Ag⁺, Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ cations is 1:1 (L:M), but in the case of Pb²⁺ and Hg²⁺ cations, a 1:2 (L:M) complex is formed in solutions. The formation constants of the resulting 1:1 complexes were determined from the molar conductance-mole ratio data at 25 °C. It was found that the stability constants of 1-Ag²⁺, 2-Ag⁺ and 3-Ag⁺ complexes are higher than those of their corresponding Zn²⁺ and Cu²⁺ complexes and found to vary in order 3 > 1 > 2 for Ag⁺.     

Alkyl Ammonium Ion Selectivity of Hexahomotrioxacalix[3]arene Triamide Derivative having the Intramolecular Hydrogen-Bonding Group

The lower rim functionalized hexahomotrioxacalix[3]arene triamide 4 with cone-conformation was synthesized from triol 1 by a stepwise reaction. The different extractability for alkali metal ions, transition metal ions, and alkyl ammonium ions from water into dichloromethane is discussed. Due to the strong intramolecular hydrogen bonding between the neighboring NH and CO groups in triamide 4, its affinity to metal cations was weakened. Triamide 4 shows a single selectivity to n-BuNH ₃ ⁺ . The anion complexation of triamide 4 was also studied by ¹H NMR titration experiments. Triamide 4 binds halides through the intermolecular hydrogen bonding among the NH hydrogens of amide in a 1:1 fashion in CDCl₃. The association constants calculated from these changes in chemical shifts of the amide protons are K _a = 223 M^?1 for Cl^? and K _a = 71.7 M^?1 for Br^?. Triamide 4 shows a preference for Cl^? complexation than Br^? complexation.     

A study of metal chelation of dinucleotide analogs in the gas phase by fast-atom bombardment mass spectrometry

Fast-atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectrometry was used to investigate the interaction of proton and alkali metal ions with dinucleotide analogs such as T-n-T (T = thymine moiety, n = polyether chain, e.g., triethylene, tetraethylene, pentaethylene, and hexaethylene ether 1–4), A-n-T (A = adenine unit 5–8), and T-n-OMe (9–12) in 3-nitrobenzyl alcohol matrix. The [M + H]⁺ ion is the most abundant ion for the A-n-T series, whereas in 1–4 and 9–12 the (TC₂H₄)⁺ ion is the most abundant. Formation of [M + H -C₂H₄O]⁺ ions, a characteristic fragmentation of crown ethers under electron ionization, is observed for compounds 1–12 and is more pronounced in 6 and 7. An abundant [M ? H]^? ion is observed for all the compounds studied under negative ion FAB due to the presence of the (-CO-NH-CO-) group of thymine, an indication of existence of intramolecular H bonding. The FAB mass spectra of 1–12 with alkali metal ions (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, and Cs⁺) showed formation of abundant metal-coordinated ions ([M + Met]⁺ and [TC₂H₄ + Met]⁺). Compounds 3, 4, 6, 7, and 10–12 showed ions due to the substitution of the thymine moiety by a hydroxyl group ([M + Met ? 108]⁺, Met = metal ion). For compound 3 alone, substitution of two thymine groups ([M + Met - 216]⁺) was observed. Metastable ion studies were used to elucidate the structures of these potentially significant ions, and the ion formule were confirmed with high resolution measurements. Selectivity toward metal complexation with ligand size was seen in the T-n-T and A-n-T series and was even more pronounced in A-n-T series. These dinucleotide analogs fall in the following order of chelation of alkali metal ions, acyclic glymes < dinucleotide analogs (acyclic glymes substituted with nitrogen bases) < crown ethers, which places them in perspective as receptor models.     

Dipyrrolylquinoxaline-bridged hydrazones: a new class of chemosensors for copper(II)

Novel 2,3-bis(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)quinoxaline-functionalized hydrazones were prepared and characterized as new chemosensors for copper(II) ion. The binding properties of the compounds 4, 5, 6 and 7 for cations were examined by UV–vis, fluorescence spectroscopy, and linear sweep voltammetric experiments (LSV). The results indicate that a 1:1 stoichiometric complex is formed between compound 4 (or 5, 6, 7) and copper(II) ion, and the association constant is 1.3?×?10⁵ M^?1 for 4, 2.1?×?10⁶ M^?1 for 5, 4.1?×?10⁵ M^?1 for 6 and 8.0?×?10⁵ M^?1 for 7, respectively. The recognition mechanism between compound 4 (or 5, 6, 7) and metal ion was discussed based on their electrochemical properties, absorbance changes, and the fluorescence quenching effect when they interact with each other. Control experiments revealed that compound 4 (or 5, 6, 7) has a highly selective response to copper (II) ion.     

Theoretical study on the singlet and triplet potential energy surfaces of NH (X3Σ−) + HCNO reaction

Both the singlet and triplet potential energy surfaces (PESs) of the NH (X³Σ^?) + HCNO reaction have been investigated at the BMC-CCSD level based on the UB3LYP/6-311++G(d, p) structures. The results show that the title reaction is more favorable through the singlet potential energy surface than the triplet one. For the singlet potential energy surface of the NH (X³Σ^?) + HCNO reaction, the most feasible association of NH (X³Σ^?) with HCNO is found to be a non-barrier nitrogen-to-carbon attack forming the adduct a (trans-HNCHNO), which can isomerize to the adduct b (cis-HNCHNO). The most feasible channel is that the 1, 3-H shift with N2–H2 and C–N1 bonds cleavage associated with the N1–H2 bond formation of adduct a leads to the product P ₁ (HCN + HNO). Moreover, P ₂ (HNC + HNO) should be the competitive product. The other products, including P ₃ (NH₂ + NCO) and P ₄ (N₂H₂ + CO), are minor products. The product P ₁ can be obtained through two competitive channels Path 1: R → a → P ₁ and Path 3: R → b → d → P ₁ , whereas the product P ₂ can be formed through Path 2: R → b → d → P ₂ . At high temperatures, the nitrogen-to-nitrogen approach may become feasible. For the triplet potential energy surface of the NH (X³Σ^?) + HCNO reaction, the Path 10: R → ³ a → ³ a ₁ → P ₁ should be the most feasible pathway due to the less reaction steps and lower barriers. These conclusions will have impacts on further experimental investigations.     

Radical reaction HCNO + 3NH: a mechanistic study

The complex triplet potential energy surface for the reaction of HCNO with NH is investigated at the G3B3 level using the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p), and QCISD/6-311++G(d,p) geometries. Various possible isomerization and dissociation pathways are probed. The initial association between HCNO and NH is found to be carbon to nitrogen attack leading to HNCHNO 2a, which can convert to 2b, 2c, and 2d. Subsequently, 1,4-H-shift of 2a to form NCHNOH 3a followed by dissociation to P ₂ (¹HCN + ³HON) is the most feasible pathway. Much less competitively, 2d undergoes successive 1,3-H-shift and C-N cleavage to form HNCNOH 8b, and then to product P ₃ (¹HNC + ³HON), the second feasible pathway. 8b can alternatively isomerize to 8c followed by N–O bond rupture to generate P ₆ (²OH + ²HNCN), the lesser followed feasible pathway. In addition, 2b takes continuously 1,3- and 1,2-H-shift to form NC(H)NHO 6a, then to ONHCNH 7a which can convert to 7b. Eventually, 7b may take C-N bond fission to produce P ₅ (¹HNC + ³HNO), the least feasible pathway. The present paper may be helpful for future experimental identification of the product distributions for the title reaction, and may be helpful to deeply understand the mechanism of the title reaction.     

Synthesis and evaluation of novel 1,3-bridged calix[4]arene-crown ethers for selective interaction with Na+/K+ cations

Calix[4]arenes possessing electron-donating groups (OH and OR) at the lower rim when reacted with tosylated polyethers under basic conditions give the corresponding 1,3-disubstituted calix[4]arene-crown ethers 2a–2h, in good yields. The binding properties of the synthesized 1,3-bridged calix[4]arene-crown ethers for alkali metal cations have been investigated by atomic emission spectrometric analysis. It has been observed that recognition of sodium and potassium varies with the size of the polyether chain as well as the substituents on the free phenolics of the calix[4]arene-crown ether. The potassium/sodium selectivity seems to be governed primarily by the size of the crown ring, relative hydrophobicity and cation-π interaction capability to give efficiency order as 2a, 2d?>?2?h?>?2c, 2e?>?2b, 2f?>?2?g.     

New complex ytterbium molybdophosphates M 2 I Yb(PO4)(MoO4) (MI = K, Na): Synthesis and structure solution

Complex rare-earth molybdophosphates of sodium and potassium (Na₂Yb(PO₄)(MoO₄) (I) and K₂Yb(PO₄)(MoO₄) (II) are synthesized by solid-phase reactions at 600°C (for I) and 750°C (for II). The molybdophosphates are characterized using powder X-ray diffraction, laser second harmonic generation (SHG), IR spectroscopy, and differential thermal analysis. Their structures are refined using the Rietveld technique. The compounds are isostructural and crystallize in an orthorhombic system (space group Ibca, Z = 8). The unit cell parameters are a = 18.0086(1) Å, b = 12.0266(1) Å, c = 6.7742(1) Å for compound I and a = 19.6646(1) Å, b = 12.0570(1) Å, c = 6.8029(1) Å for compound II. The structures are built of YbO₈ chains extended along axis c and linked into layers through PO₄ tetrahedra. The Na⁺ cations (CN = 6) and the K⁺ cations (CN = 8) reside in the interlayer spaces.     

Complexing properties of two benzocrown-ether moieties arranged at a cyclobutane ring system

Biscrown ethers 2a-c and 3a-c arranged at a cyclobutane ring were prepared by intermolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition of vinylated benzocrown ethers. The complexing behavior of 2a-c toward alkali metal cations was evaluated by ESI-MS analysis, liquid-liquid extraction, and the comparison of complexing stability constant. An intramolecular sandwich-type 1:1 (host/guest) complexation was observed by ESI-MS analysis in the competitive system where 2a-Na⁺, 2b-K⁺, and 2c-Cs⁺ were formed selectively. In the liquid-liquid extraction, however, 2a hardly extracted any cation, while both 2b and 2c efficiently extracted larger cations such as K⁺, Rb⁺, and Cs⁺. It was found that the complexing stability constant of 2a-Na⁺ is lower than that of benzo-15-crown-5-Na⁺ though extraordinarily high values were obtained for 2b-K⁺ and 2c-Cs⁺ complexes compared with those of 18-crown-6-K⁺ and dibenzo-24-crown-8-Cs⁺ complexes, respectively. Hence, the excellent complexing ability was achieved by using the cyclobutane ring, which strongly preorganized two benzocrown-ether moieties for the larger alkali metal cations.     

Calix[4]arene-bis(t-octylbenzo-18-crown-6) as an extraordinarily effective macrocyclic receptor for the univalent thallium cation

From extraction experiments and $ \gamma $ -activity measurements, the exchange extraction constant corresponding to the equilibrium Tl⁺ (aq) + 1·Cs⁺ (org) ? 1·Tl⁺ (org) + Cs⁺ (aq) taking place in the two-phase water–phenyltrifluoromethyl sulfone (abbrev. FS 13) system (1 = calix[4]arene-bis(t-octylbenzo-18-crown-6); aq = aqueous phase, org = FS 13 phase) was evaluated as log K _ex (Tl⁺, 1·Cs⁺) = 1.7 ± 0.1. Further, the extraordinarily high stability constant of the 1·Tl⁺ complex in FS 13 saturated with water was calculated for a temperature of 25 °C: log β _org(1·Tl⁺) = 13.1 ± 0.2. Finally, by using quantum mechanical DFT calculations, the most probable structure of the cationic complex species 1·Tl⁺ was derived. In the resulting 1·Tl⁺ complex, the “central” cation Tl⁺ is bound by eight bond interactions to six oxygen atoms from the respective 18-crown-6 moiety and to two carbons of the corresponding two benzene rings of the parent receptor 1 via cation–π interaction.     

Syntheses, spectroscopic characterization and metal ion binding properties of benzo-15-crown-5 derivatives and their sodium and nickel(II) complexes

New benzo-15-crown-5 derivatives containing nitro, amine and imine groups were prepared. Nitro compound (1) was prepared after the reaction?4′,5′-bis(bromethyl)benzo-15-crown-5 and o-nitrophenol in the presence of NaOH. After reduction process by using hydrazine hydrate and Pd/C amine compound (2) was formed. New crown ether imine compounds (3–5) were synthesized by the condensation of corresponding crown ether diamine (2) with salicylaldehyde derivatives. Sodium complexes of the crown compounds (1a–5a) form crystalline 1:1 (Na⁺: ligand) complexes with sodium perchlorate. Nickel(II) complexes (3b–5b) with 1:1 (Ni²⁺:ligand) stoichiometries were also been synthesized from the Schiff bases (3–5). The results indicated that the Schiff base ligands coordinated through the azomethine nitrogen and phenolic oxygen. The extraction ability of compounds (1, 3, 4 and 5) were also evaluated in chloroform by using several alkali and transition metal picrates such as Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Cr³⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Pb²⁺.     

Crescent aromatic oligothioamides as highly selective receptors for copper(Ⅱ) ion

A series of crescent aromatic oligothioamides(4, 6, 8, 15, and 18) bearing different number of sulfur atoms were designed and synthesized via thionation of their corresponding aromatic oligoamides(3, 5, and 7) using Lawesson's reagent. The X-ray structure of a trimeric analogue(13) revealed the presence of intramolecular three-center hydrogen bonds that are responsible for the rigidification of the molecular backbone. The extraction by these novel receptors toward some representative heavy metal cations(Zn2+, Cd2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Pb2+, and Cu2+) and alkali and alkaline earth metal cations(Li+, Na+, K+, Rb+, Cs+, Ca2+, and Sr2+) demonstrated high efficiency(83.5%–96.4%) and superior selectivity for Cu2+ over other selected metal cations. Particularly, the extractability was correlated to both the number of sulfur atoms and orientation of thiocarbonyl groups as revealed in the order: 6 4 18 15. This is in stark contrast to the oligoamides that only gave much lower extractability(5.9%–16.4%), suggestive of the importance of replacement of carbonyl oxygen atoms with sulfur atoms in the extraction of Cu2+. The complexation behavior of 4, 6, and 8 with Cu2+ was also examined by UV-Vis and NMR techniques.     

Theoretical study on the mechanism of C2Cl3 + NO2 reaction

The radical-molecule reaction of C₂Cl₃ with NO₂ is explored at the B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) and CCSD(T)/6-311+G(d,p) (single-point) levels. On the singlet potential energy surface (PES), the association between C₂Cl₃ and NO₂ is found to be carbon-to-nitrogen attack forming the adduct C₂Cl₃NO₂ (1) without any encounter barrier, followed by isomerization to C₂Cl₃ONO (2). Starting from 2, the most feasible pathway is the N–O1 bond cleavage which lead to P ₁ (C₂Cl₃O + NO). Much less competitively, 2 transforms to the three-membered ring isomer c-OCCl₂C–ClNO (4 ^a ) which can easily interconvert to c-OCCl₂C–ClNO 4 ^b . Then 4 (4 ^a , 4 ^b ) takes direct C1–C2 and C2–O1 bonds cleavage to give P ₂ (COCl₂ + ClCNO). The lesser competitive channel is the 4 ^a isomerizes to the four-membered ring intermediate O-c-CNClOCCl₂ (5) followed by dissociation to P₃ (CO + ClNOCCl₂). The concerted 1,2-Cl shift along with C1–O1 bond rupture of 4 ^b to form ONC(O)CCl₃ (6) followed by dissociation to P ₄ (ClNO + OCCCl₂) is even much less feasible. Moreover, some of P ₃ and P ₄ can further dissociate to P ₅ (ClNO + CO + CCl₂). Compared with the singlet pathways, the triplet pathways may have less contribution to the title reaction. Our results are in marked difference from previous theoretical studies which showed that two initial adducts C₂Cl₃–NO₂ and C₂Cl₃–ONO are obtained. Moreover, in the present paper we focus our main attentions on the cyclic isomers in view of only the chain-like isomers are considered by previous studies. The present study may be helpful for understanding the halogenated vinyl chemistry.     

Experimental and DFT study on the complexation of the silver cation with calix[4]arene-bis(t-octylbenzo-18-crown-6)

From extraction experiments and γ-activity measurements, the exchange extraction constant corresponding to the equilibrium Ag⁺ (aq) + 1·Cs⁺(org) ? 1·Ag⁺ (org) + Cs⁺ (aq) taking place in the two-phase water–phenyltrifluoromethyl sulfone (FS 13) system (1 = calix[4]arene-bis(t-octylbenzo-18-crown-6); aq = aqueous phase, org = FS 13 phase) was evaluated as logK _ex (Ag⁺, 1·Cs⁺) = ?1.5 ± 0.1. Further, the stability constant of the 1·Ag⁺ complex in FS 13 saturated with water was calculated for a temperature of 25 °C: log β _org(1·Ag⁺) = 10.1 ± 0.2. Finally, by using quantum mechanical DFT calculations, the most probable structure of the cationic complex species 1·Ag⁺ was derived. In the resulting 1·Ag⁺ complex, the “central” cation Ag⁺ is bound by eight bond interactions to six oxygen atoms from the respective 18-crown-6 moiety and to two carbons of the corresponding two benzene rings of the parent ligand 1 via cation-π interaction.     

Solvent extraction of europium trifluoromethanesulfonate into nitrobenzene by using three electroneutral receptors

From extraction experiments and $ \gamma $ -activity measurements, the extraction constants corresponding to the general equilibrium Eu³⁺(aq) + 3 A^?(aq) + L(nb) $ \Leftrightarrow $ EuL³⁺(nb) + 3A^?(nb) taking place in the two-phase water–nitrobenzene system ( $ {\text{A}}^{ - } = {\text{CF}}_{ 3} {\text{SO}}_{3}^{ - } $ ; L = electroneutral receptors denoted by 1, 2, and 3 – see Scheme 1; aq = aqueous phase, nb = nitrobenzene phase) were evaluated. Further, the stability constants of the EuL³⁺ complexes in nitrobenzene saturated with water were calculated; they were found to increase in the series of 3 < 2 < 1.

Syntheses of novel calix[4]arene hydrazone-based receptors and their cooperative complexation with soft and hard metal ions

Four novel calix[4]arene hydrazone-based receptors 3a?Cd were prepared in yields of 69?C87% by condensating formylated calix[4]arene ester (2) with salicylyl hydrazine, 2,4-dinitrophenyl hydrazine, nicotinyl hydrazine or phenyl thiosemicarhazide, respectively. New compounds were characterized through elemental analysis, IR, ESI?CMS, ¹H NMR studies. Compounds 3a?Cd containing two binding sites had the complexation abilities for hard and soft cations concurrently. The noncompetitive extracting experiments showed compounds 3a?Cd were excellent receptors for hard and soft metal cations. The competitive extracting experiments exhibited the cooperative complexation in binding hard and soft metal cations and compound 3a possessed outstanding selectivity for Na⁺ and Hg²⁺. The IR spectra of compound 3a before and after complexation revealed that the soft metal cation was binded in the cavity composed of hydrazone groups and azo groups at the upper rims of calix[4]arene units and hard metal cations was binded in cavity composed of ester groups and phenolic hydroxyl groups at the lower rims of calix[4]arene units.