2:1 Ba/Ti(IV) heterobimetallic complex based on two calix[6]arenes

Reaction of p-Bu(t)-calix[6]arene with barium metal in methanol then [Ti(OPr(i))4] affords a heterobimetallic complex with a central Ti(IV) attached to two calix[6]arenes in the 1,3-alternate conformation, each with an endo-barium sharing common phenolate groups with the titanium centre.     

Impact of multiple cation-pi interactions upon calix[4]arene substrate binding and specificity

The cation-pi interaction influence on the conformation and binding of calix[4]arenes to alkali-metal cations has been studied using a dehydroxylated model. The model allows for the separation of cooperative cation-pi and electrostatic forces commonly found in the binding motifs found in calixarene complexes. Starting from the four well-known calix[4]arene conformations, six conformers for this dehydroxylated model (cone, partial cone, flattened cone, chair, 1,2-alternate, and 1,3-alternate) have been characterized by geometry optimization and frequency analysis using the Becke three-parameter exchange functional with the nonlocal correlation functional of Lee, Yang, and Parr and the 6-31G(d) basis set. Without the stabilization provided by the hydroxyl hydrogen bonds in calix[4]arene, neither the cone nor the 1,2-alternate conformation is computed to be a ground-state structure. The partial cone, flattened cone, chair, and 1,3-alternate conformers have been identified as ground-state structures in a vacuum, with the partial cone and the 1,3-alternate as the lowest energy minima in the aromatic model. The C(4)(v)() cone conformation is found to be a transition structure separating the flattened cone (C(2)(v)()) conformers. The energetic and structural preferences of the calix[4]arene model change dramatically when it is bound to Li(+), Na(+), and K(+). The number of pi-faces, the positioning of these pi-faces with respect to the cations, and the nature of the cation were studied as factors in the binding strength. A detailed study of the distances and angles between the aromatic ring centroids and the cations reveals the energetic advantages of multiple weak cation-pi interactions. The geometries are often far from the optimal cation-pi interaction in which the cation approaches in a perpendicular path the aromatic ring center, where the quadrupole moment is strongest. The results reveal that multiple weaker nonoptimal cation-pi interactions contribute significantly to the overall binding strength. This theoretical analysis underscores the importance of neighboring aromatic faces and provides new insight into the significance of cation-pi binding, not only for calix[4]arenes, but also for other supramolecular and biological systems.     

Synthesis,structures, and conformational characteristics of calixarene monoanions and dianions

The synthesis, complete characterization, and solid state structural and solution conformation determination of calix[n]arenes (n = 4, 6, 8) is reported. A complete series of X-ray structures of the alkali metal salts of calix[4]arene (HC4) illustrate the great influence of the alkali metal ion on the solid state structure of calixanions (e.g., the Li salt of monoanionic HC4 is a monomer; the Na salt of monoanionic HC4 forms a dimer; and the K, Rb, and Cs salts exist in polymeric forms). Solution NMR spectra of alkali metal salts of monoanionic calix[4]arenes indicate that they have the cone conformation in solution. Variable-temperature NMR spectra of salts HC4.M (M = Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs) show that they possess similar coalescence temperatures, all higher than that of HC4. Due to steric hindrance from tert-butyl groups in the para position of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene (Bu(t)C4), the alkali metal salts of monoanionic Bu(t)C4 exist in monomeric or dimeric form in the solid state. Calix[6]arene (HC6) and p-tert-butylcalix[6]arene (Bu(t)C6) were treated with a 2:1 molar ratio of M(2)CO(3) (M = K, Rb, Cs) or a 1:1 molar ratio of MOC(CH(3))(3) (M = Li, Na) to give calix[6]arene monoanions, but calix[6]arenes react in a 1:1 molar ratio with M(2)CO(3) (M = K, Rb, Cs) to afford calix[6]arene dianions. Calix[8]arene (HC8) and p-tert-butylcalix[8]arene (Bu(t)()C8) have similar reactivity. The alkali metal salts of monoanionic calix[6]arenes are more conformationally flexible than the alkali metal salts of dianionic calix[6]arenes, which has been shown by their solution NMR spectra. X-ray crystal structures of HC6.Li and HC6.Cs indicate that the size of the alkali metal has some influence on the conformation of calixanions; for example, HC6.Li has a cone-like conformation, and HC6.Cs has a 1,2,3-alternate conformation. The calix[6]arene dianions show roughly the same structural architecture, and the salts tend to form polymeric chains. For most calixarene salts cation-pi arene interactions were observed.     

Fourfold tetraurea calix[4]arenes--potential cores for the formation of self-assembled dendrimers

Wide rim tetraurea calix[4]arenes monofunctionalized at the narrow rim by COOH or NH2 have been synthesized in five steps from t-butylcalix[4]arene tripropylether. Their covalent linkage via the narrow rim to a central calix[4]arene fixed in the 1,3-alternate conformation led to pentacalix[4]arenes 9 bearing four tetraurea derivatives in the cone conformation in a flexible tetrahedral arrangement. Their self-assembly via the formation of hydrogen bonded dimeric capsules has been studied under different conditions. A fourfold heterodimerisation of tetrakis-tetraurea derivatives of type 9 with tetratosylurea 10 has been confirmed by 1H NMR-spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering.     

Exchange coupling mediated through-bonds and through-space in conformationally constrained polyradical scaffolds: calix[4]arene nitroxide tetraradicals and diradical

Calix[4]arenes constrained to the 1,3-alternate conformation and functionalized at the upper rim with four and two tert-butylnitroxides have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography, magnetic resonance (EPR and (1)H NMR) spectroscopy, and magnetic studies. The 1,3-alternate nitroxide tetraradical and diradical provide unique polyradical scaffolds for dissection of the through-bond and through-space intramolecular exchange couplings. In addition, detailed magnetic studies of the previously reported calix[4]arene nitroxide tetraradical, which possesses cone conformation in solution, reveal conformational dependence of exchange coupling. Through-bond coupling between the adjacent nitroxide radicals is mediated by the nitroxide-m-phenylene-CH(2)-m-phenylene-nitroxide coupling pathway, and through-space coupling is found between the diagonal nitroxide radicals at the conformationally constrained N...N distance of 5-6 A. Magnetic studies of the calix[4]arene polyradical scaffolds in frozen solutions show that the through-bond exchange coupling in the 1,3-alternate calix[4]arene tetraradical is antiferromagnetic, while that in cone calix[4]arene tetraradical is ferromagnetic. The through-space exchange couplings are antiferromagnetic in both cone and 1,3-alternate calix[4]arene tetraradical, as well as in the 1,3-alternate calix[4]arene diradical. The exchange coupling constants (|J/k|) are of the order of 1 K.     

Stilbene-bridged 1,3-alternate calix[4]arene crown ether for selective alkali ion extraction

A series of stilbene-bridged calix[4]arenes was synthesized through an intramolecular reductive McMurry coupling of bisbenzaldehyde calix[4]arene in high yields. Tetra- and pentaethylene glycol chains were tethered to the phenolic groups of calix[4]arene to form stilbene-bridged calix[4]arene crown-5 and crown-6, respectively. The presence of stilbene bridge over the calix[4]arene rim effectively prevented the connection of the polyether chains in the cone conformation resulting in the exclusive formation of 1,3-alternate stilbene-bridged calix[4]arene crown product. Compared to the cone analogues, the 1,3-alternate calix[4]arene crown ethers showed a greater extraction ability and selectivity toward Cs⁺.     

Synthesis and reactivity of calix[4]arene-supported group 4 imido complexes

New mononuclear titanium and zirconium imido complexes [M(NR)(R'(2)calix)] [M=Ti, R'=Me, R=tBu (1), R=2,6-C(6)H(3)Me(2) (2), R=2,6-C(6)H(3)iPr(2) (3), R=2,4,6-C(6)H(2)Me(3) (4); M=Ti, R'=Bz, R=tBu (5), R=2,6-C(6)H(3)Me(2) (6), R=2,6-C(6)H(3)iPr(2) (7); M=Zr, R'=Me, R=2,6-C(6)H(3)iPr(2) (8)] supported by 1,3-diorganyl ether p-tert-butylcalix[4]arenes (R'(2)calix) were prepared in good yield from the readily available complexes [MCl(2)(Me(2)calix)], [Ti(NR)Cl(2)(py)(3)], and [Ti(NR)Cl(2)(NHMe(2))(2)]. The crystallographically characterised complex [Ti(NtBu)(Me(2)calix)] (1) reacts readily with CO(2), CS(2), and p-tolyl-isocyanate to give the isolated complexes [Ti[N(tBu)C(O)O](Me(2)calix)] (10), [[Ti(mu-O)(Me(2)calix)](2)] (11), [[Ti(mu-S)(Me(2)calix)](2)] (12), and [Ti[N(tBu)C(O)N(-4-C(6)H(4)Me)](Me(2)calix)] (13). In the case of CO(2) and CS(2), the addition of the heterocumulene to the Ti-N multiple bond is followed by a cycloreversion reaction to give the dinuclear complexes 11 and 12. The X-ray structure of 13.4(C(7)H(8)) clearly establishes the N,N'-coordination mode of the ureate ligand in this compound. Complex 1 undergoes tert-butyl/arylamine exchange reactions to form 2, 3, [Ti(N-4-C(6)H(4)Me)(Me(2)calix)] (14), [Ti(N-4-C(6)H(4)Fc)(Me(2)calix)] (15) [Fc=Fe(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))(eta(5)-C(5)H(4))], and [[Ti(Me(2)calix)](2)[mu-(N-4-C(6)H(4))(2)CH(2)]] (16). Reaction of 1 with H(2)O, H(2)S and HCl afforded the compounds [[Ti(mu-O)(Me(2)calix)](2)] (11), [[Ti(mu-S)(Me(2)calix)](2)] (12), and [TiCl(2)(Me(2)calix)] in excellent yields. Furthermore, treatment of 1 with two equivalents of phenols results in the formation of [Ti(O-4-C(6)H(4)R)(2)(Me(2)calix)] (R=Me 17 or tBu 18), [Ti(O-2,6-C(6)H(3)Me(2))(2)(Me(2)calix)] (19) and [Ti(mbmp)(Me(2)calix)] (20; H(2)mbmp=2,2'-methylene-bis(4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol) or CH(2)([CH(3)][C(4)H(9)]C(6)H(2)-OH)(2)). The bis(phenolate) compounds 17 and 18 with para-substituted phenolate ligands undergo elimination and/or rearrangement reactions in the nonpolar solvents pentane or hexane. The metal-containing products of the elimination reactions are dinuclear complexes [[Ti(O-4-C(6)H(4)R)(Mecalix)](2)] [R=Me (23) or tBu (24)] where Mecalix=monomethyl ether of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene. The products of the rearrangement reaction are [Ti(O-4-C(6)H(4)Me)(2) (paco-Me(2)calix)] (25) and [Ti(O-4-C(6)H(4)tBu)(2)(paco-Me(2)calix)] (26), in which the metallated calix[4]arene ligand is coordinated in a form reminiscent of the partial cone (paco) conformation of calix[4]arene. In these compounds, one of the methoxy groups is located inside the cavity of the calix[4]arene ligand. The complexes 24, 25 and 26 have been crystallographically characterised. Complexes with sterically more demanding phenolate ligands, namely 19 and 20 and the analogous zirconium complexes [Zr(O-4-C(6)H(4)Me)(2)(Me(2)calix)] (21) and [Zr(O-2,6-C(6)H(3)Me(2))(2)(Me(2)calix)] (22) do not rearrange. Density functional calculations for the model complexes [M(OC(6)H(5))(2)(Me(2)calix)] with the calixarene possessing either cone or partial cone conformations are briefly presented.     

新型偶氮杯[4]芳烃的合成与构象研究

使用相应的w-硫醚羧酸酰氯与杯[4]芳烃或者偶氮杯[4]芳烃酰化合成了一类新型的杯[4]芳烃衍生物。分离得到六个新化合物4a-4c和5a-5c，并使用MALDI, EA, ¹H和¹³C NMR进行了表征。NMR图谱表明偶氮杯[4]芳烃衍生物 5a-5c均为1,3-转换构型，而4a-4c则均为锥式构型。对偶氮杯[4]芳烃衍生物5a-5c的红外和紫外性质也进行了研究。     

Titanium and zirconium complexes of a phosphorus-containing p-tert-butylcalix[5]arene ligand: importance of metal and conformation on ligand/metal binding

Binding of a calix[5]arene containing a single phosphorus ligand and three hydroxyl groups, calix[5]PNMe2(OH)3, 1, toward titanium and zirconium is investigated to yield insight into the factors that determine the strength of the phosphorus/metal interaction within the constraint of the calix[5]arene. Treatment of 1 with tetrakis(dimethylamino)titanium yields three complexes, 4a, 4b, and 4c, each of which shows the loss of 3 mol of dimethylamine in the reaction with the titanium bound to three oxygens. Treatment of 1 with tetrakis(diethylamino)zirconium proceeds similarly, although only two products, 5a and 5b, were isolated. X-ray structures of the products were obtained. Complexes 4a and 5a show similar geometries, with the calix[5]arene in an approximate cone conformation and the phosphorus lone pair directed toward the metal. The P...M distances are, however, markedly different: 3.69 A in 4a and 3.18 A in 5a, the former indicative of no interaction and the latter a weak one. Complexes 4b and 5b each are dimers, featuring a planar four-membered M-O-M-O ring; however, the titanium is five-coordinate in 4b with no phosphorus/metal bond, while the zirconium in 5b is six-coordinate with a P-Zr distance of 2.95 A. Complex 4c is monomeric with the calix[5]arene in an approximate 1,2-alternate conformation with a P...Ti distance of 2.90 A. The two most significant aspects controlling the phosphorus/metal contact are the metal, with the larger zirconium showing stronger interaction, and the calix[5]arene conformation, with the cone conformation showing the weaker interaction.     

Shaping the cavity of calixarene architecture for molecular recognition: synthesis and conformational properties of new azocalix[4]arenes

A series of new azocalix[4]arenes containing one, two, three, and four free phenolic groups have been synthesized through the reaction of 4-nitro- and 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazines with flexible calix[4]arene diquinones as well as through diazocoupling reactions of calix[4]arenes. Characterization of synthesized compounds by spectroscopic methods and X-ray diffraction revealed that azocalix[4]arenes adopt a cone conformation if they contain at least one free phenolic group. Partial cone or 1,3-alternate conformers of azocalix[4]arenes result only when they are devoid of free phenolic groups. The results can be utilized to shape calix[4]arene architecture for ionic and molecular recognition.     

Synthesis and Conformational Studies of Lower Rim Cyanomethyl Substituted Calix[4]arenes

The conformational inversion characteristics of calix[4]arenes carrying cyanomethyl groups on the lower rim have been investigated. Complete conversion from a 1,3-alternate to a partial cone conformation was observed for the 1,3-dicyanomethyl ether of calix[4]arene at room temperature, while at higher temperatures further inversion to a 1:1 mixture of partial cone and cone conformers occurred.     

1,3-Alternate calix[4]arene nitronyl nitroxide tetraradical and diradical: synthesis, X-ray crystallography, paramagnetic NMR spectroscopy, EPR spectroscopy, and magnetic studies

Calix[4]arenes constrained to 1,3-alternate conformation and functionalized at the upper rim with four and two nitronyl nitroxides have been synthesized, and characterized by X-ray crystallography, magnetic resonance (EPR and ¹H NMR) spectroscopy, and magnetic studies. Such calix[4]arene tetraradicals and diradicals provide scaffolds for through-bond and through-space intramolecular exchange couplings.     

Synthesis of cone, partial-cone, and 1,3-alternate 25, 27-Bis

The preparation of 25,27-bis[1-(2-ethyl)hexyl]- and 25, 27-bis[1-(2-tert-butoxy)ethyl]calix[4]arene-crown-6 combining one polyether crown-6 and one alkylchain O-attached on each side of a calix[4]arene in the cone, partial-cone, and 1,3-alternate conformations are reported. The control over 25, 27-bisalkylcalix[4]arene-crown-6 conformation via varying specific reaction conditions was studied. The series of calix[4]arenes have been prepared by two routes, which differ in the order in which the alkyl or polyether groups were introduced. Moreover, methods have been developed to selectively prepare the cone and partial-cone conformers by using an appropriate base in the alkylation reactions. The conformations of these new derivatives have been probed by (1)H NMR analysis and X-ray crystallography. The (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra of 25,27-bis[1-(2-ethyl)hexyl]calix[4]arene-crown-6, 1, 3-alternate 1, cone 2, and partial-cone 3 are also discussed.     

Multinuclear calixarene synthons with covalently linked aryl-palladium(II) complexes

New synthetic procedures have been developed for potentially useful metallacalixarene building blocks. The metal sites were covalently connected to calix[n]arenes (n = 4, 6) by oxidative addition of 4-iodobenzyl precursors to either Pd(PPh(3))(4) or Pd(2)(dba)(3)/tmeda (dba = dibenzylideneacetone) to furnish calixarene-modified aryl-Pd(II)I(L(n)()) complexes [L(n)() = bis-PPh(3) or N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine (tmeda)]. Methods were explored for the selective preparation of mono-Pd(II)-calix[4]arene and di-Pd(II)-calix[n]arenes (n = 4 or 6) complexes and also for bifunctional calix[4]arene synthons with two Pd(II) complexes accompanied by 4-pyridylmethyl or 4-cyanobenzyl groups. The properties of the Pd(II)-calix[n]arenes were studied in detail by one- and two-dimensional NMR and mass spectrometric techniques. The X-ray molecular structures of two 4-iodobenzylcalix[4]arene precursors were also determined.     

DNA condensation and cell transfection properties of guanidinium calixarenes: dependence on macrocycle lipophilicity, size, and conformation

Calix[n]arenes functionalized with guanidinium groups at the upper rim and alkyl chains at the lower rim bind to DNA, condense it, and in some cases, promote cell transfection depending on their structure and lipophilicity. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies indicate that upon DNA binding the hydrophobic association of the lipophilic chains of cone guanidinium calix[4]arenes drives the formation of intramolecular DNA condensates, characterized by DNA loops emerging from a dense core. Furthermore, hexyl and octyl chains confer to these calixarenes cell transfection capabilities. Conversely, larger and conformationally mobile calix[6]- and calix[8]arene methoxy derivatives form intermolecular aggregates characterized by "gorgonlike" structures composed of multiple plectomenes. These adducts, in which interstrand connections are dominated by electrostatic interactions, fail to promote cell transfection. Finally, calix[4]arenes in a 1,3-alternate conformation show an intermediate behavior because they condense DNA, but the process is driven by charge-charge interactions.     

Calixarene-based surfactants: evidence of structural reorganization upon micellization

The self-aggregation of five amphiphilic p-sulfonatocalix[n]arenes bearing alkyl chains at the lower rim was investigated by NMR spectroscopy and electrical conductivity. The critical micelle concentration was determined, and the tendency of this special class of surfactants to self-aggregate in aqueous solution was analyzed as a function of the alkyl chain length and the number of aromatic units in the macrocyclic ring. The structure of the surfactants in the monomeric and micellized states was elucidated by means of (1)H NMR and, in the case of the calix[6]arene derivative, with 2D NMR experiments. While all amphiphilic calix[4]arenes studied here are blocked in the cone conformation, in the monomeric state the calix[6]arene adopts a pseudo-1,2,3-alternate conformation and the calix[8]arene is conformationally mobile. These calixarenes undergo an aggregation-induced conformational change, adopting the cone conformation in the micelles. The structure and size of the aggregates were studied by diffusion ordered spectroscopy (DOSY) experiments, and the results indicate that these surfactants self-assemble into ellipsoidal micelles.     

Synthesis, characterization of a novel calixarene having dipyridyl pendants and study of its complexes with Cu(II) and Co(II)

Two dipyridyl pendants were attached to the 1,3 positions of a calix[4]arene, with the purpose of having a ligand able to complex Cu(II) and Co(II). Indeed, the new ligand, fixed in its 1,3-alternate conformation, forms stable complexes with both Co(II) and Cu(II), as shown by UV-vis titrations carried out in acetonitrile. However, the data analysis clearly shows that the ligand forms with the two metal ions complexes having different stoichiometries.     

The Preorganization Effect of the Calix[4]arene Platform on the Extraction Properties of Acetylhydrazide Groups with Transition Metal Ions

The binding properties of the cone conformer of O,O,O,O-tetrakis[hydrazinocarbonylmethyl]-4-tert-butylcalix[4]arene, the cone and the 1,3-alternate conformers of the corresponding thia analogue have been evaluated by means of liquid–liquid extraction for a large variety of metal ions. The extraction constants and the stoichiometries of the complexes formed have been determined. Comparison of the extraction properties of calix[4]arenes with their acyclic monomeric analogue clearly demonstrated, that the preorganization of acetylhydrazide groups on the calix[4]arene platform is the cause for a significant improvement of its binding properties. The presence of additional “soft” nitrogen binding sites in acetylhydrazide derivatives of calix[4]arenes compared to their amide derivatives leads to a shift from their classical selectivity for alkali and alkaline earth cations to transition metals. The cone conformer of tetrathiacalix[4]arene shows higher selectivity in a series of d-metal ions compared with its “classical” analogue. The 1,3-alternate conformer exhibits an excellent extraction selectivity for Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺.     

The selective dealkylations: the formylations of the three easily accessible calix[4]arene conformers immobilized by propyl and isopropyl groups

Formyl groups were introduced to the para positions of the three easily accessible calix[4]arene conformers immobilized by four propyl or isopropyl groups by Duff reaction. Propyl group led to exhaustively formylated products due to the weak steric hinderance effect. While as for the isopropoxy calix[4]arenes, with the increase of steric hinderance, 1,3-alternate conformer gave exhaustively formylated product with no alkyl group dealkylating; partial cone conformer gave the tetraformylated proximal A,B-diether in 1,3-alternate conformation; and cone conformer led to triformylated derivatives accompanied by the selective dealkylations of three or two diametrical alkyl groups. The results indicated that the structures of the products were greatly influenced by the steric hinderance effect of the starting compounds.     

New artificial receptors from selectively functionalized calix[4]arenes

Abstract

The development of new synthetic methods for the monoalkylation of calix[4]arenes at the lower rim allows the synthesis of a new class of trihydroxamate siderophores. Three chelating hydroxamic acid units are introduced through a sequence of reactions which blocks the macrocycle in the cone conformation. The new ligands obtained form neutral 1:1 complexes (FeL) with iron (III), which are stable in EtOH/H₂O 9:1 at pH 2–7. Calix[4]arene bis-crown ethers are prepared by exploiting the selective 1,2-(proximal) functionalization of calix[4]arenes at the lower rim. These ligands are, however, less effective in complexing alkali metal cations compared with the 1,3-calix[4]arene crown-ethers which, in their partial cone structure, offer a better shielding for the complexed cations. Rigid upper rim-bridged calix[4]arenes potentially useful for the inclusion of neutral molecules are prepared by exploiting the selective 1,3-diformylation of calix[4]arene at the upper rim. Finally a new chloromethylation method for calix[4]arenes blocked in the cone conformation is described together with the synthesis of new cavitands.