Synthesis of novel chiral Schiff base and amino alcohol derivatives of calix[4]arene and chiral recognition properties

In the present study, the synthesis and liquid phase extraction properties towards some amino acid methylesters and amino alcohols of Schiff base and amino alcohol substituted calix[4]arene are reported. The Schiff base substituted calix[4]arene 5 has been synthesized via condensation reaction involving 5,17-diformyl-11,23-di-tert-butyl-25,27-di[3-(4-formylphenoxy)propoxy]-26,28 dihydroxycalix[4]arene 4 and (R)-(?)-2-phenylglycine methyl ester in CHCl₃:MeOH. To give the amino alcohol substituted calix[4]arene 6, the synthesized chiral compound 5 was reduced by LiAlH₄. The new chiral Schiff base and amino alcohol derivatives of calix[4]arene have been characterized by a combination of FT-IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, FAB-MS and elemental analysis. Also, the extraction behaviors of 5 and 6 towards some selected amino acid methylesters and amino alcohols have been studied by liquid–liquid extraction.     

Chiral calix[4]arenes bearing α-hydroxy amide units as membrane carriers for amino acid methyl esters

Novel chiral calix[4]arene derivatives functionalized at the lower rim have been prepared from the reaction of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene diamine or acylhydrazine derivative with mandelic acid or hydroxyisovaleric acid. The structures of these receptors were characterized by FTIR, ¹H, ¹³C and 2D COSY NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The transport of amino acid derivatives (phenylalanine, phenylglycine and tryptophan methyl ester hydrochlorides) was studied through bulk liquid membrane in the presence of chiral calix[4]arene derivatives. The receptors have been found to act as carriers for transport of aromatic amino acid methylesters from the aqueous source phase to the aqueous receiving phase. The transport rate and L/D selectivity of amino acid esters studied depend strongly upon the structure of the chiral receptors and guests. The best enantioselectivity was obtained in the case of phenylglycine methyl ester for all chiral carriers.     

Chiral calix[4]azacrowns for enantiomeric recognition of amino acid derivatives

In this study the synthesis of novel chiral calix[4]azacrown derivatives has been reported. The enantioselectivity of chiral receptors was investigated by using UV-vis spectroscopy. All the chiral calix[4]arene derivatives exhibited certain chiral recognition toward the enantiomers of phenylalanine (Phe-OMe·HCl) and alanine methyl ester hydrochlorides (Ala-OMe·HCl). As a chiral receptor, the furfuryl-armed calix[4]azacrown ether 7 has the best enantiomeric discriminating ability for α-amino acid ester hydrochlorides (up to K_L/K_D=2.08, ΔΔG₀=−1.82 kJ mol⁻¹) in CHCl₃. The enantiomeric recognition abilities for guests are also discussed from a thermodynamic point of view.     

Synthesis of chiral calix[4]arenes bearing tartaric ester moieties

The synthesis of chiral calix[4]arenes with tartaric acid ester moieties has been achieved by the reactions of tartaric ester chloroacetates with calix[4]arenes in moderate yields. All the chiral calix[4]arene derivatives are in a cone conformation according to the ¹H NMR doublet–doublet pattern of the protons of the methylene groups between the phenol rings. The results of NMR and specific rotations indicate that the molecules have C₂ symmetry with asymmetric features.     

Synthesis of new chiral calix[4]arene diamide derivatives for liquid phase extraction of α-amino acid methylesters

The synthesis of chiral diamide derivatives of calix[4]arene from the reaction of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene diester 1a and calix[4]arene diester 1b with various amino alcohols were reported. The ¹H and ¹³C NMR, data showed that the compounds synthesized exist in the cone conformation. The extraction study properties of these new compounds 3a,b–4a,b towards some selected α-amino acid methylesters are also reported.     

Chiral nitrogen-containing calix[4]crown—an excellent receptor for chiral recognition of mandelic acid

A chiral nitrogen-containing calix[4]crown 2 bearing optically pure 1,2-diphenyl-1,2-oxyamino residue at lower rim showed excellent chiral recognition between enantiomers of mandelic acid. Using competitive ¹H NMR titration the ratio of association constants of (S)- and (R)-mandelic acid with the chiral calix[4]crown was determined to be 102, that is 98% de, which is the best result obtained from artificial receptors for the chiral recognition of mandelic acid up to now.     

Inherently chiral biscalixarene cone–cone conformers consisting of calix[4]arene and calix[5]arene subunits

Inherently chiral biscalixarenes with hetero-cavities were synthesized by a covalent assembly of p-tert-butylcalix[5]arene with a 1,3-substituted calix[4]arene via 1,3-alkylation reaction and subsequent desymmetrization. The racemates were resolved by chiral HPLC method. ¹H NMR spectra, VT-NMR spectra, and theoretical calculations support that the calix[5]arene subunit of the inherently chiral calix[4][5]arene ester adopts a cone-in conformation, with the aromatic ring bearing the CH₂CO₂Et group tilting inward the calix[5]arene cavity. By contrast, such a cone-in structural feature of the calix[5]arene subunit disappears for the corresponding inherently chiral calix[4][5]arene carboxylic acid, due to the intramolecular hydrogen bonding between the carboxyl group and an ethereal oxygen of the glycolic chain.     

Synthesis of new chiral calix[4]azacrowns for enantiomeric recognition of carboxylic acids

Two novel chiral calix[4]azacrown ethers 4 and 5 bearing a furfuryl group on the nitrogen atom were developed by the reaction of dibromo- or ditosyl derivatives of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arenes 2 and 3 with a chiral diol, 1. The enantioselective recognition of these receptors towards the enantiomers of racemic carboxylic acids has been studied by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The molar ratio and the association constants of the chiral compounds 4 and 5 with each of the enantiomers of guest molecules were determined by using Job plots and a nonlinear least-squares fitting method, respectively. The Job plots indicate that both of the hosts form 1:1 instantaneous complexes with (R)- or (S)-mandelic acid and (l)- or (d)-dibenzoyltartaric acid. The receptors exhibited different chiral recognition abilities towards the enantiomers of racemic guests.     

Synthesis of an inherently chiral O,O′-bridged thiacalix[4]crowncarboxylic acid and its application to a chiral solvating agent

Treatment of readily available O,O′-1,1,3,3-tetraisopropyldisiloxane-1,3-diyl-bridged p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene (1) with tri(ethylene glycol) di-p-tosylate and subsequent desilylation gave O,O′-bridged thiacalix[4]crown 3 in an excellent yield. Mono-O-alkylation of 3 with ethyl bromoacetate, followed by optical resolution by chiral HPLC, and subsequent hydrolysis of the ester moiety gave inherently chiral O,O′-bridged thiacalix[4]crowncarboxylic acid (+)-6, which clearly discriminated enantiomeric primary amines, as well as amino esters, by ¹H NMR spectroscopy.     

Complexation of amino acids derivatives in water by calix[4]arene phosphonic acids

Series of the calix[4]arene phosphonic acids with various substituents at the lower rim was synthesized. Complexing properties of these receptors towards methyl esters of six amino acids strongly depended on the calix[4]arene conformation flexibility. The complex formation processes were monitored using ¹H NMR spectroscopy (deuterated phosphate buffer at pD 7.3, 22 °C) and association constant values were evaluated. Inherently mobile calix[4]arene molecule 3 occurred in cone conformation in aqueous solution turned out to be more effective in complexation of the basic amino acids methyl esters compared to the rigid 2 and flexible 4. Mixed 1:2 and 2:1 (host–guest) complexes were observed for compound 1 with all amino acids methyl esters.     

An inherently chiral calix[4]crown carboxylic acid in the 1,2-alternate conformation

For better understanding of the structure/property relationship of inherently chiral calixarenes in the 1,2-alternate conformation, we designed and synthesized an inherently chiral calix[4]crown-4 carboxylic acid 1,2-alternate conformer. Resolution of the racemates was effected by condensation with (S)-BINOL as a chiral auxiliary and separation of the resultant diastereomers via preparative TLC plates, followed by hydrolysis of the isolated diastereomers to afford enantiopure antipodes of the title compound. Preliminary property study revealed that the title compound has the ability to enantioselectively discriminate 2-phenylglycinol by ¹H NMR spectroscopy.     

A facial microwave-assisted synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and preliminary complexation studies of calix[4]pyrroles containing the hydroxamic-acid moiety

The synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and preliminary complexation properties of functionalized calix[4]pyrroles are described. To date, two generalized preparative approaches have been pursued (i) modifying the basic pyrrole-plus-ketone synthesis of calix[4]pyrrole by using microwave irradiation protocol, (ii) the basic meso-tetra(methyl) meso-tetra(p-nitrophenyl) calix[4]pyrrole skeleton was functionalized to give hydroxamic acids, especially in the meso-position of the macrocycles. The structures of novel calix[4]pyrrole hydroxamic acid derivatives were confirmed on the basis of various physico-chemical techniques such as elemental analysis, FT-IR, ¹H NMR and FAB-Mass. The results of preliminary studies on the extraction of vanadium (V) with the host calix[4]pyrrole hydroxamic acids were elucidated by significant examination of UV–Vis spectroscopy and ICP-AES. Single crystal structure of basic meso-tetra(methyl) meso-tetra (p-nitro phenyl) calix[4]pyrrole moiety has also been reported.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel chiral calix[4]arene bearing (R)-(+)-1-phenylethylamine bonded silica particles

Two novel chiral di- and tri-amide derivatives of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene were synthesized by (R)-(+)-1-Phenylethylamine via convenient reactions and then immobilized on aminopropyl functionalized silica particles. The prepared chiral calix[4]arenes and their silica polymers (Calix-SP1 and Calix-SP2) were characterized using ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, FT-IR, and thermal and elemental analysis techniques.     

An inherently chiral calix[4]crown carboxylic acid in the partial cone conformation

We have designed and synthesized an inherently chiral calix[4]arene partial cone conformer, in which a crown-4 ether moiety, a carboxyl group, and a propyl group are convergent. Chemical resolution was achieved by use of (S)-BINOL as a chiral auxiliary. ¹H NMR titration data revealed that the title compound does not have the ability to differentiate both enantiomers of chiral amine and aminoalcohol guests. The approximately symmetric calix[4]arene skeleton of the partial cone conformer is presumed to be responsible for its undesirable chiral recognition ability.     

Sensitive fluorescence sensor for nitroaniline isomers based on calix[4]arene bearing naphthyl groups

Novel naphthyl-modified calix[4]arene was synthesized by click chemistry, and exhibited high affinity and selectivity for p-nitroaniline by the fluorescence spectroscopy. However, the sensitivity toward other anilines 3a–e are negligible. The ¹H NMR, ¹H NOESY, MALDI-TOF mass spectroscopy and computational calculations revealed the formation of host–guest complex driven by H-bonding and hydrophobic interactions.     

Synthesis and structure elucidation of 25,26,27,28-tetramethylcalix[4]arene tetraketone using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopies

The ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra of the new calix[4]arene-based tetraketone were completely assigned by one- and two-dimensional homo- and heteronuclear experiments (¹H–¹H COSY, ¹H–¹³C HMQC, and HMBC) at 400 and 100 MHz, respectively, at 25 °C standard pulse sequence. ¹H and ¹³C spectra were measured at room temperature for 25,26,27,28-tetramethylcalix[4]arene tetraketone (1). ¹³C{¹H}, DEPT and NMR techniques were used to distinguish the methyl, methylene and methine carbon resonance signals of calix[4]arene 1. Correlation of 1D (¹H, ¹³C{¹H}, DEPT) and 2D (HMQC and HMBC) NMR data was used to completely assign various overlapping and broad signals of calix[4]arene 1. Heteronuclear multibond correlation (HMBC) studies were used to completely assign various carbon resonances. Our results show that the conformation of calix[4]arene 1 in the solution is very similar to the cone conformation reported in the literature.     

Proximal heteroalkylation of monoalkoxycalix[4]arenes in synthesis of inherently chiral molecules

Proximal heteroalkylation of monoalkyl ethers of calix[4]arenes or p-tert-butylcalix[4]arenes in NaH/CH₃CN or NaOH/DMSO, respectively, was applied for synthesis of inherently chiral calixarenes with ABHH substitution pattern. The introduction by the method of (R)- or (S)-N-(α-phenylethyl)acetamide chiral auxiliary group gives mixtures of diastereomeric derivatives of inherently chiral calixarenes, which were separated by column chromatography. The chiral calixarenes were thoroughly characterized by ¹H, ¹³C NMR, and X-ray diffraction methods.     

Fluorescent sensors for amino acid anions based on calix[4]arenes bearing two dansyl groups

Two novel types of chiral calix[4]arenes containing hydrazide and dansyl groups were synthesized and examined for their enantioselective recognition abilities by the fluorescence and ¹H NMR spectra in CHCl₃. The results indicate that both 4a and 4b have excellent enantioselectivities to the N-protected alanine or phenylalanine anions.     

Facile synthesis and optical resolution of inherently chiral fluorescent calix[4]crowns: enantioselective recognition towards chiral leucinol

A series of tri-O-alkylated inherently chiral fluorescent calix[4]crowns in the cone conformations and a series of tetra-O-alkylated inherently chiral fluorescent calix[4]crowns in the partial cone conformations have been synthesized. By condensing with chiral auxiliary (S)-BINOL, the resulting diastereomers could be separated via preparative TLC. We found that the size of the crown moiety effected the separation of the diastereomers. Further, removal of the BINOL unit by hydrolysis furnished pairs of enantiomers with optical purity. Moreover, we found that a tetra-O-alkylated inherently chiral fluorescent calix[4]crown-6 in the partial cone conformation 6c showed considerable enantioselective recognition capability towards chiral leucinol.     

Synthesis of 1-fluoroindan-1-carboxylic acid (FICA) and its properties as a chiral derivatizing agent

1-Fluoroindan-1-carboxylic acid (FICA) (1) was designed and synthesized as its methyl ester (FICA Me ester) (4) in order to develop an efficient chiral derivatizing agent (CDA) which excels α-methoxy-α-(trifluoromethyl)phenylacetic acid (MTPA) in capability. FICA Me ester (4) was prepared by fluorination of methyl 1-hydroxyindan-1-carboxylate (3) with (diethylamino)sulfur trifluoride (DAST) and derived to the esters of racemic secondary alcohols by ester exchange reaction. The resulting Δδ_F value was large in the case of 2-butyl ester of FICA (5a), whereas not detectable in the case of the corresponding MTPA ester (6a). The magnitude of the Δδ_H values was similar to that of MTPA esters. The diastereomers of (R)-(−)-8-phenylmenthyl ester of FICA (5i) was separated and their ¹H NMR analyses revealed that the concept of the modified Mosher's method was successfully applied to 5i.