Coordination behaviour and two‐dimensional‐network formation in poly[[μ‐aqua‐diaqua(μ5‐propane‐1,3‐diyldinitrilotetraacetato)dilithium(I)cobalt(II)] dihydrate]: the first example of an MII–1,3‐pdta complex with a monovalent metal counter‐ion

The title compound, {[CoLi₂(C₁₁H₁₄N₂O₈)(H₂O)₃]·2H₂O}_n, constitutes the first example of a salt of the [M^II(1,3‐pdta)]²⁻ complex (1,3‐pdta is propane‐1,3‐diyldinitrilotetraacetate) with a monopositive cation as counter‐ion. Insertion of the Li⁺ cation could only be achieved through application of the ion‐exchange column technique which, however, appeared unsuccessful with other alkali metals and the ammonium cation. The structure contains two tetrahedrally coordinated Li⁺ cations, an octahedral [Co(1,3‐pdta)]²⁻ anion and five water molecules, two of which are uncoordinated, and is built of two‐dimensional layers extending parallel to the (010) lattice plane, the constituents of which are connected by the coordinate bonds. O—H_water...O hydrogen bonds operate both within and between these layers. The crystal investigated belongs to the enantiomeric space group P2₁ with only one (Λ) of two possible optical isomers of the [Co(1,3‐pdta)]²⁻ complex. A possible cause of enantiomer separation during crystallization might be the rigidification and polarization of the [M(1,3‐pdta)]²⁻ core, resulting from direct coordination of Li⁺ cations to three out of four carboxylate groups constituting the 1,3‐pdta ligand. The structure of (I) differs considerably from those of the other [M^II(1,3‐pdta)]²⁻ complexes, in which the charge compensation is realized by means of divalent hexaaqua complex cations. This finding demonstrates a significant structure‐determining role of the counter‐ions.     

Charge stripping mass spectra: A method for identifying isomeric [C5H8]+˙ and [C3H6]+˙ ions

Charge stripping (collisional ionization) mass spectra are reported for isomeric [C₅H₈]⁺˙ and [C₃H₆]⁺˙ ions. The results provide the first method for adequately quantitatively determining the structures and abundances of these species when they are generated as daughter ions. Thus, loss of H₂O from the molecular ions of cyclopentanol and pentanal is shown to produce mixtures of ionized penta-1,3- and -1,4-dienes. Pent-1-en-3-ol generates [penta-1,3-diene]⁺˙. [C₃H₆]⁺˙ ions from ionized butane, methylpropane and 2-methylpropan-1-ol are shown to have the [propene]⁺˙ structure, whereas [cyclopropane]⁺˙ is produced from ionized tetrahydrofuran, penta-1,3-diene and pent-1-yne.     

Z and E isomers of butenedioic acid with 2‐amino‐1,3‐thiazole: 2‐amino‐1,3‐thiazolium hydrogen maleate and 2‐amino‐1,3‐thiazolium hydrogen fumarate

Maleic acid and fumaric acid, the Z and E isomers of butenedioic acid, form 1:1 adducts with 2‐amino‐1,3‐thiazole, namely 2‐amino‐1,3‐thiazolium hydrogen maleate (2ATHM), C₃H₅N₂S⁺·C₄H₃O₄⁻, and 2‐amino‐1,3‐thiazolium hydrogen fumarate (2ATHF), C₃H₅N₂S⁺·C₄H₃O₄⁻, respectively. In both compounds, protonation of the ring N atom of the 2‐amino‐1,3‐thiazole and deprotonation of one of the carboxyl groups are observed. The asymmetric unit of 2ATHF contains three independent ion pairs. The hydrogen maleate ion of 2ATHM shows a short intramolecular O—H...O hydrogen bond with an O...O distance of 2.4663 (19) Å. An extensive hydrogen‐bonded network is observed in both compounds, involving N—H...O and O—H...O hydrogen bonds. 2ATHM forms two‐dimensional sheets parallel to the ab plane, extending as independent parallel sheets along the c axis, whereas 2ATHF forms two‐dimensional zigzag layers parallel to the bc plane, extending as independent parallel layers along the a axis.     

Halogen,hydrogen and electrostatic interactions in 2‐amino‐5‐chloro‐1,3‐benzoxazol‐3‐ium nitrate and 2‐amino‐5‐chloro‐1,3‐benzoxazol‐3‐ium perchlorate

In the title compounds, C₇H₆ClN₂O⁺·NO₃⁻ and C₇H₆ClN₂O⁺·ClO₄⁻, the ions are connected by N—H...O hydrogen bonds and halogen interactions. Additionally, in the first compound, co‐operative π–π stacking and halogen...π interactions are observed. The energies of the observed interactions range from a value typical for very weak interactions (1.80 kJ mol⁻¹) to one typical for mildly strong interactions (53.01 kJ mol⁻¹). The iminium cations exist in an equilibrium form intermediate between exo‐ and endocyclic. This study provides structural insights relevant to the biochemical activity of 2‐amino‐5‐chloro‐1,3‐benzoxazole compounds.     

Chemo‐ and Enantioselective Oxidative α‐Azidation of Carbonyl Compounds

We report high‐performance I⁺/H₂O₂ catalysis for the oxidative or decarboxylative oxidative α‐azidation of carbonyl compounds by using sodium azide under biphasic neutral phase‐transfer conditions. To induce higher reactivity especially for the α‐azidation of 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds, we designed a structurally compact isoindoline‐derived quaternary ammonium iodide catalyst bearing electron‐withdrawing groups. The nonproductive decomposition pathways of I⁺/H₂O₂ catalysis could be suppressed by the use of a catalytic amount of a radical‐trapping agent. This oxidative coupling tolerates a variety of functional groups and could be readily applied to the late‐stage α‐azidation of structurally diverse complex molecules. Moreover, we achieved the enantioselective α‐azidation of 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds as the first successful example of enantioselective intermolecular oxidative coupling with a chiral hypoiodite catalyst.     

Mass spectrometry of thio analogues of pyrimidine bases: Correlation of the intensities of the M+˙ and the [M – ˙SH]+ ions of 2-alkylthiouracils

The mass spectral fragmentations of eight 2-alkylthiouracils with C₁₀, C₁₂, C₁₆ and C₁₈ in the alkylthio group were investigated. Fragmentation pathways are proposed on the basis of accurate mass and matastable transition measurements. The correlation between the intensities of the M⁺˙ and [M - ˙SH]⁺ ions of 36 2-alkylthiouracils is discussed. The data obtained create the basis for distinguishing structural isomers.     

Competitive formation of M+˙ and [M + H]+ ions under fast atom bombardment conditions

The competitive formation of molecular ions M^+˙ and protonated molecules [M + H]⁺ under fast atom bombardment (FAB) conditions was examined using various kinds of organic compounds. The use of protic/hydrophilic matrices such as thioglycerol and glycerol resulted in relatively large values of the peak intensity ratio I([M + H]⁺)/I(M^+˙) compared with the use of relatively aprotic/hydrophobic matrices such as m-nitrobenzyl alcohol and o-nitrophenyl octyl ether. The change of matrix from thiol-containing such as thioglycerol and dithiothreitol to alcoholic such as glycerol and pentamethylene glycol increased the I([M + H]⁺)/I(M^+˙) ratio. Furthermore, the change of matrix increased the peak intensity ratio of the doubly charged ion [M + 2H]²⁺ to [M + H]⁺ in the FAB mass spectra of angiotensin I and gramicidin S. The addition of acids to the matrix solution increased the I([M + H]⁺)/I(M^+˙) ratio, although such an effect did not always occur. The acetylation of simple aniline compounds markedly increased the I([M + H]⁺)/I(M^+˙) ratio. It was concluded from these results that the hydrogen bonding interaction between hydroxyl groups(s) of the matrix and basic site(s) of analyte molecules in solution acts advantageously as a quasi-preformed state for [M + H]⁺ formation, and that the presence of significant proton acceptor(s) such as carbonyl group in analytes hinder the M^+˙ formation which may generally occur under FAB conditions. The formation of M^+˙ and [M + H]⁺ ions seemed to occur competitively, reflecting or according to the interaction or solvation states between the analyte and matrix molecules in solution and the structural characteristics of the analytes.     

2,3‐Dihydro‐1,3‐benzothiazol‐2‐iminium monohydrogen sulfate and 2‐iminio‐2,3‐dihydro‐1,3‐benzothiazole‐6‐sulfonate: a combined structural and theoretical study

The 2‐aminobenzothiazole sulfonation intermediate 2,3‐dihydro‐1,3‐benzothiazol‐2‐iminium monohydrogen sulfate, C₇H₇N₂S⁺·HSO₄⁻, (I), and the final product 2‐iminio‐2,3‐dihydro‐1,3‐benzothiazole‐6‐sulfonate, C₇H₆N₂O₃S₂, (II), both have the endocyclic N atom protonated; compound (I) exists as an ion pair and (II) forms a zwitterion. Intermolecular N—H...O and O—H...O hydrogen bonds are seen in both structures, with bonding energy (calculated on the basis of density functional theory) ranging from 1.06 to 14.15 kcal mol⁻¹. Hydrogen bonding in (I) and (II) creates DDDD and C(8)C(9)C(9) first‐level graph sets, respectively. Face‐to‐face stacking interactions are observed in both (I) and (II), but they are extremely weak.     

Copper scandium zirconium phosphate: occupancy of the M1 and M2 sites in the temperature range 100–300 K

The title compound, with nominal formula Cu₂ScZr(PO₄)₃, has a beige coloration and displays fast Cu⁺ cation conduction at elevated temperatures. It adopts a NASICON‐type structure in the space group Rc. The examined crystal was an obverse–reverse twin with approximately equal twin components. The [Sc^IIIZr^IV(PO₄)₃]²⁻ framework is composed of corner‐sharing Sc/ZrO₆ octahedra and PO₄ tetrahedra. The Sc and Zr atoms are disordered on one atomic site on a crystallographic threefold axis. The P atom of the phosphate group lies on a crystallographic twofold axis. Nonframework Cu⁺ cations occupy three positions. Two of the Cu⁺ positions generate an approximately circular distribution around a site of symmetry, referred to as the M1 site in the NASICON‐type structure. The other Cu⁺ position is situated close to the twofold symmetric M2 site, displaced into a position with a distorted square‐based pyramidal coordination geometry. The structure has been determined at 100, 200 and 300 K. Changes in the refined site‐occupancy factors of the Cu⁺ positions suggest increased mobility of Cu⁺ around the circular orbit close to the M1 site at room temperature, but no movement into or out of the M2 site. Free refinement of the Cu site‐occupancy factors suggests that the formula of the crystal is Cu_1.92(1)ScZr(PO₄)₃, which is consistent with the low‐level presence of Cu²⁺ exclusively in the M2 site.     

Mass spectra of aliphatic dicarboxylic acids and their dimethyl esters: Cyclic structures for the [M − H2O]+˙ ions from the diacids and [M − MeOH]+˙ ions from the dimethyl esters

Methyl 2-oxocycIoalkane carboxylate structures are proposed lor the [M ? MeOH]^+˙ ions from dimethyl adipate, pimelate, suberate and azelate. This proposal is based on a comparison of the metastable ion mass spectra and the kinetic energy releases for the major fragmentation reaction of these species with the same data for the molecular ions of authentic cyclic β-keto esters. The mass spectra of α,α,α′,α′-d₄-pimelic acid and its dimethyl ester indicate that the α-hydrogens are involved only to a minor extent in the formation of [M ? ROH]^+˙ and [M ? 2ROH]^+˙ ions, while these α-hydrogens are involved almost exclusively in the loss of ROH from the [M ? RO˙]⁺ ions (R = H or CH₃). The molecules XCO(CH₂)₇COOMe (X = OH, Cl) form abundant ions in their mass spectra with the same structure as the [M ? 2MeOH]^+˙ ions from dimethyl azelate.     

Hydrogen bonding in polyamino‐polyalcohols: a monohydrated cocrystal of 1,3‐diamino‐5‐azaniumyl‐1,3,5‐trideoxy‐cis‐inositol iodide and 1,3,5‐triamino‐1,3,5‐trideoxy‐cis‐inositol

In the title monohydrated cocrystal, namely 1,3‐diamino‐5‐azaniumyl‐1,3,5‐trideoxy‐cis‐inositol iodide–1,3,5‐triamino‐1,3,5‐trideoxy‐cis‐inositol–water (1/1/1), C₆H₁₆N₃O₃⁺·I⁻·C₆H₁₅N₃O₃·H₂O, the neutral 1,3,5‐triamino‐1,3,5‐trideoxy‐cis‐inositol (taci) molecule and the monoprotonated 1,3‐diamino‐5‐azaniumyl‐1,3,5‐trideoxy‐cis‐inositol cation (Htaci⁺) both adopt a chair conformation, with the three O atoms in axial and the three N atoms in equatorial positions. The cation, but not the neutral taci unit, exhibits intramolecular O—H...O hydrogen bonding. The entire structure is stabilized by a complex three‐dimensional network of intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The neutral taci entities and the Htaci⁺ cations are each aligned into chains along [001]. In these chains, two O—H...N interactions generate a ten‐membered ring as the predominant structural motif. The rings consist of vicinal 2‐amino‐1‐hydroxyethylene units of neighbouring molecules, which are paired via centres of inversion. The chains are interconnected into undulating layers parallel to the ac plane, and the layers are further held together by O—H...N hydrogen bonds and additional interactions with the iodide counter‐anions and solvent water molecules.     

1,3‐Benzothia­zole‐6‐carboxamidinium chloride dihydrate

The title compound, C₈H₈N₃S⁺·Cl⁻·2H₂O, has been synthesized and characterized both spectroscopically and structurally. The structure consists of 1,3‐benzothia­zole‐6‐carboxamidinium cations, chloride anions and water mol­ecules, all interconnected by hydrogen bonds into a three‐dimensional network. The 1,3‐benzo­thia­zole moiety is inclined to the 6‐­amidine group by 36.71 (9)°.     

Charge-Transfer Salts of Ferrocene Derivatives with Bis(maleonitriledithiolato)metallate(III) Complexes ([M(mnt)2]−, M=Ni,Pt): A Ground-State High-Spin [(Ni(mnt)2)2]2− Dimer

New hexamethylated ferrocene derivatives containing thioether moieties (1,1′-bis[(tert-butyl)thio]-2,2′,3,3′,4,4′-hexamethylferrocene ( 3a , b )) or fused S-heteropolycyclic substituents (rac-1-[(1,3-benzodithiol- 2-yliden)methyl]-2,2′,3,3′,4,4′-hexamethylferrocene ( 5 ) and rac-1-[1,2-bis(1,3-benzodithiol-2-yliden)ethyl]-2,2′,3,3′,4,4′-hexamethylferrocene ( 14 )), as well as a series of ferrocene-substituted vinylogous tetrathiafulvalenes (1,1′-bis[1,2-bis(1,3-benzodithiol-2-yliden)ethyl]ferrocene ( 6a ), 1,1′-bis[1-(1,3-benzodithiol-2-yliden)-2-(5,6-dihydro-1,3-dithiolo[4,5-b] [1,4]dithiin-2-yliden)ethyl]ferrocene ( 6b ), [1,2-bis(1,3-benzodithiol-2-yliden)ethyl]ferrocene ( 21a ), [1-(1,3-benzodithiol-2-yliden)-2-(5,6-dihydro-1,3-dithiolo[4,5-b] [1,4]dithiin-2-yliden)ethyl]ferrocene ( 21b ), [1,2-bis(5,6-dihydro-1,3-dithiolo[4,5-b] [1,4]dithiin-2-yliden)ethyl]ferrocene ( 21c ), [1-(5,6-dihydro-1,3-dithiolo[4,5-b] [1,4]dithiin-2-yliden)-2-(1,3-benzodithiol-2-yliden)ethyl]ferrocene ( 21d )) were prepared and fully characterized. Their redox properties show that some of them are easily oxidized and undergo transformation to paramagnetic salts containing bis(maleonitriledithiolato)-metallate(III) anions [M(mnt)₂]⁻ (M=Ni, Pt; bis[2,3-dimercapto-κS)but-2-enedinitrilato(2⁻)]nickelate (1⁻) or -platinate (1⁻). The derivatives [ 3a ] [Ni(mnt)₂] ( 26 ), [ 3a ] [Pt(mnt)₂] ( 27 ), [Fe{(η⁵-C₅Me₄S)₂S}] [Ni(Mnt)₂] ( 28 ), [Fe{(η⁵-C₅Me₄S)₂S}] [Pt(mnt)₂] ( 29 ), [ 5 ] [Ni(mnt)₂]⋅ClCH₂CH₂Cl ( 30 ), [ 6a ] [Ni(mnt)₂] ( 31 ), [ 6a ] [Ni(mnt)₂]⋅ClCH₂CH₂Cl ( 31a ), [ 6a ] [Pt(mnt)₂] [ 32 ), and [ 6b ] [Ni(mnt)₂] ( 33 ) were prepared and fully characterized, including by SQUID (superconducting quantum interference device) susceptibility measurements. X-Ray crystal-structural studies of the neutral ferrocene derivatives 6a , b , 21c , d , and 1,1′-bis[1-(1,3-benzodithiol-2-yliden)-2-oxoethyl]ferrocene ( 23 ), as well as of the charge-transfer salts 26 – 28 , 30 , and 31a , are reported. The salts 28 and 30 display both a D⁺A⁻A⁻D⁺ structural motif, however, with a different relative arrangement of the [{Ni(mnt)₂}₂]²⁻ dimers, thus giving rise to different but strong antiferromagnetic couplings. Salt 26 exhibits isolated ferromagnetically coupled [{Ni(mnt)₂}₂]²⁻ dimers. Salt 27 displays a D⁺A⁻D⁺A⁻ structural motif in all three space dimensions, and a week ferromagnetic ordering at low temperature. Salt 31a , on the contrary, shows segregated stacks of cations and anions. The cations are connected with each other in two dimensions, and the anions are separated by a 1,2-dichloroethane molecule.     

Phenylimidorhenium(V) Complexes with 1,3‐Diethyl‐4,5‐dimethylimidazole‐2‐ ylidene Ligands

The phenylimidorhenium(V) complexes [Re(NPh)X₃(PPh₃)₂] (X = Cl, Br) react with the N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) 1,3‐diethyl‐4,5‐dimethylimidazole‐2‐ylidene (L^Et) under formation of the stable rhenium(V) complex cations [Re(NPh)X(L^Et)₄]²⁺ (X = Cl, Br), which can be isolated as their chloride or [PF₆]^? salts. The compounds are remarkably stable against air, moisture and ligand exchange. The hydroxo species [Re(NPh)(OH)(L^Et)₄]²⁺ is formed when moist solvents are used during the synthesis. The rhenium atoms in all three complexes are coordinated in a distorted octahedral fashion with the four NHC ligands in equatorial planes of the molecules. The Re–C(carbene) bond lengths between 2.171(8) and 2.221(3) Å indicate mainly σ‐bonding between the NHC ligand and the electron deficient d² metal atoms. Attempts to prepare analogous phenylimido complexes from [Re(NPh)Cl₃(PPh₃)₂] and 1,3‐diisopropyl‐4,5‐dimethylimidazole‐2‐ylidene (L^i?Pr) led to a cleavage of the rhenium‐nitrogen multiple bond and the formation of the dioxo complex [ReO₂(L^i?Pr)₄]⁺.     

Exploring the intrinsic polar [4 + 2+] cycloaddition reactivity of gaseous carbosulfonium and carboxonium ions

Gas‐phase reactions of model carbosulfonium ions (CH₃‐S⁺ = CH_2; CH₃CH₂‐S⁺ = CH₂ and Ph‐S⁺ = CH₂) and an O‐analogue carboxonium ion (CH₃‐O⁺ = CH₂) with acyclic (isoprene, 1,3‐butadiene, methyl vinyl ketone) and cyclic (1,3‐cyclohexadiene, thiophene, furan) conjugated dienes were systematically investigated by pentaquadrupole mass spectrometry. As corroborated by B3LYP/6‐311 G(d,p) calculations, the carbosulfonium ions first react at large extents with the dienes forming adducts via simple addition. The nascent adducts, depending on their stability and internal energy, react further via two competitive channels: (1) in reactions with acyclic dienes via cyclization that yields formally [4 + 2⁺] cycloadducts, or (2) in reactions with the cyclic dienes via dissociation by HSR loss that yields methylenation (net CH⁺ transfer) products. In great contrast to its S‐analogues, CH₃‐O⁺ = CH₂ (as well as C₂H₅‐O⁺ = CH₂ and Ph‐O⁺ = CH₂ in reactions with isoprene) forms little or no adduct and proton transfer is the dominant reaction channel. Isomerization to more acidic protonated aldehydes in the course of reaction seems to be the most plausible cause of the contrasting reactivity of carboxonium ions. The CH₂ = CH‐O⁺ = CH₂ ion forms an abundant [4 + 2⁺] cycloadduct with isoprene, but similar to the behavior of such α,β‐unsaturated carboxonium ions in solution, seems to occur across the C = C bond. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

FAB and chemical ionization in the production of [M+ H]+ and [M− H]− species from 2-aryl-2-methyl-1,3-dithianes

The unimolecular fragmentations of [M + H]⁺ and [M – H]^? ions from four 2-aryl-2-methyl-1,3-dithianes are described and clarified with the aid of deuterated derivatives. Comparison of the MIKE spectra of [M + H]⁺ species obtained under chemical ionization and fast atom bombardment (FAB) conditions reveals differences which are attributed to the different energetics involved in the two ionization processes. It is suggested that FAB is a ‘softer’ ionization technique but, at the same time, it provides, for the possibility of solvation, reaction sites not available in gas-phase protonation. [M – H]^? species and anionic fragments thereof were generally not obtained under FAB(?) conditions. [M – H]^? ions are readily produced in gas-phase reactions with OH^? via proton abstraction from C(4) or C(5), and from the 2-methyl substituent; and they fragment according to several reaction pathways.     

Electron impact induced fragmentation of β-allenic and γ-acetylenic alcohols

The main fragmentation pathway of ionized hydroxyallenes (1) consists of a methyl loss. Extensive deuterium-labelling experiments indicate that the terminal allenic carbon is implied in this fragmentation. Collisional activation spectra indicate a propenyl-acylium structure (a) for these [M – CH₃]⁺ ions which can originate from a 1,4-hydroxyl migration followed by hydrogen rearrangements. Isomeric hydroxyacetylenes (2) behave similarly, also giving rise, by methyl loss, to acylium ions a. It is proposed that 2^{+ ˙} is irreversibly isomerized into 1^{+ ˙} by a 1,3-hydrogen transfer ‘catalysed’ by the hydroxy group. The proposed internal proton-bound complex justifies also the easier loss of water from 2⁺˙. Ethyl loss is also a prominent fragmentation for the hydroxyallene and hydroxy-acetylene homologues.     

Outer‐Sphere 2 e−/2 H+ Transfer Reactions of Ruthenium(II)‐Amine and Ruthenium(IV)‐Amido Complexes

A diverse set of 2 e⁻/2 H⁺ reactions are described that interconvert [Ru^II(bpy)(en*)₂]²⁺ and [Ru^IV(bpy)(en‐H*)₂]²⁺ (bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine, en*=H₂NCMe₂CMe₂NH₂, en*‐H=H₂NCMe₂CMe₂NH⁻), forming or cleaving different O−H, N−H, S−H, and C−H bonds. The reactions involve quinones, hydrazines, thiols, and 1,3‐cyclohexadiene. These proton‐coupled electron transfer reactions occur without substrate binding to the ruthenium center, but instead with precursor complex formation by hydrogen bonding. The free energies of the reactions vary over more than 90 kcal mol⁻¹, but the rates are more dependent on the type of X−H bond involved than the associated ΔG °. There is a kinetic preference for substrates that have the transferring hydrogen atoms in close proximity, such as ortho ‐tetrachlorobenzoquinone over its para ‐isomer and 1,3‐cyclohexadiene over its 1,4‐isomer, perhaps hinting at the potential for concerted 2 e⁻/2 H⁺ transfers.     

Novel Cesium‐Selective Electrodes Based on Lipophilic 1,3‐Bisbridged Cofacial‐calix[6]crowns

Five bisbridged calix[6]crowns have been investigated as Cs⁺ ionophore in PVC membrane electrodes. As ionophores, three 1,3‐bisbridged calix[6]crown‐4‐ethers( I–III ), 1,3‐bisbridged calix[6]crown‐5‐ether( IV ), and 1,3‐bisbridged calix[6]crown‐6‐ether( V ) have been evaluated. The membranes all give good Nernstian response in the concentration range from 1×10^?7 to 1×10^?1 M of cesium ion. The best detection limits (?log aequation/tex2gif-inf-1.gif=7.08–7.36) are obtained for electrode membranes containing 1,3‐bisbridged cofacial‐calix[6]crown‐4‐ethers( I‐III ), and the values are the lowest compared with those reported previously. The highest selectivity coefficients [ 3.74(Cs/K), 2.63(Cs/Rb)] are obtained for the membrane of 1,3‐bisbridged calix[6]crown‐4‐ether( II ), and these values are also the highest compared with previous reports for Cs⁺‐ISEs. The highest selectivity towards cesium ion is attributed to the geometrically cofacial positions of two crown‐ethers in calix[6]crowns in order to provide the complex of cesium ion and eight oxygens of cofacial crowns.     

Molecular design of a “molecular syringe” mimic for metal cations using a 1,3‐alternate calix[4]arene cavity

The chemically switchable actions well imitate the function of a “molecular syringe,” has been studied in theory using the 1,3‐alternate calix [4]arene bearing a nitrogen‐containing crown cap at one side and a bis(ethoxyethoxy) group at another side by the π‐basic calixtube as a pipette and the crown ring as a rubber cap. The model is characterized by geometry optimization using density functional theory (DFT) at B3LYP/6‐31G level. The obtained optimized structures are used to perform natural bond orbital (NBO) and frequency analysis. The electron‐donating heteroatoms: O and N offer lone pair electrons to the contacting RY* (1‐center Rydberg) or LP* (1‐center valence antibond lone pair) orbitals of K⁺, Ag⁺. The results indicate that when the nitrogen atom in the crown ring is protonated, K⁺ and Ag⁺ will be pushed out to the bis(ethoxyethoxy) side through a π‐basic calixtube. When the nitrogen·H⁺ in the crown ring is deprotonated, K⁺ and Ag⁺ are sucked back to the crown‐capped side again. In the course of the coordination, both the intermolecular electrostatic interactions and the cation‐π interactions between the metal ion and π‐orbitals of the two pairs facing inverted benzene rings play a significant role. It is believed that this prototype of a “molecular syringe” is a novel molecular architecture for the action of metal cations. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 2010