Synthesis of cesium selective pyridyl azocalix[n]arenes

A series of pyridylazo calix[n]arenes (n=4, 6, 8) including the first examples of mixed hetroaryl azocalix(n)arenes have been synthesized by coupling calix[n]arenes with diazonium salts derived from amino pyridines. It has been observed that the coupling reaction of diazonium salt obtained from 3-aminopyridine with calix[n]arene gives tetrakis-, hexakis- and octakis (pyridylazo)calix[n]arenes (n=4,6,8) while those derived from 4-aminopyridine give partially substituted (4-pyridylazo)calix[n]arene analogs. There is no reaction of calix(n)arenes with diazonium salts derived from 2-aminopyridine under identical conditions of experiments. The conformational analysis of synthesized compounds have been ascertained by detailed spectral measurements and single crystal X-ray analysis of 5-(3′-pyridylazo)-25,26,27,28-tetrahydroxycalix[4]arene. A rational explanation for the observed partial and exhaustive coupling reaction in the synthesis of heteroaryl azocalix(n)arenes has been suggested. Preliminary evaluation of synthesized derivatives as molecular receptors for metal ions indicates that they have good potential to function as selective ionic filters for cesium ions.     

Green synthesis of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines using calix[6]arene-SO3H surfactant in water

In this research, green synthesis of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines in the presence of calix[n]arenes-SO₃H as a Brønsted acid catalyst and surfactant is described. Using of calix[n]arenes in water provided a hydrophobic cavity that successfully carried out the synthesis reactions at short times with high yields. This catalyst system is recoverable with a simple extraction using an organic solvent and reusable for at least for 5 cycles without any losses of its activity.     

Direct sulfonylation of Baylis-Hillman alcohols and diarylmethanols with TosMIC in ionic liquid-[Hmim]HSO4: an unexpected reaction

A Brønsted acidic ionic liquid-[Hmim]HSO₄ promoted unexpected reaction of Baylis-Hillman alcohols and diarylmethanols with p-toluenesulfonylmethyl isocyanide (TosMIC) affording the corresponding sulfone derivatives instead of N-tosylmethyl amides is reported. After isolation of the product, the ionic liquid [Hmim]HSO₄ was easily recycled for further use.     

Highly efficient synthesis of N-confused meso-tetraspirocyclohexyl calix[4]pyrrole using Brønsted acidic ionic liquids as catalysts

An efficient, green and novel protocol is described for high yield synthesis of N-confused meso-tetraspirocyclohexyl calix[4]pyrrole. In aqueous solution, the condensation of pyrrole and cyclohexanone in the presence of Brønsted acidic ionic liquid catalysts afforded N-confused calix[4]pyrrole in up to 62.5% yield which represents a ∼threefold yield improvement over existing protocol and makes significant quantity of N-confused calix[4]pyrrole readily available.     

The facile preparation of p-(methoxy)calix[n]arenes (n = 6, 7, or 8) and their permethylated derivatives

The mixture of p-(methoxy)calix[n]arenes (n = 6, 7 or 8) was prepared in one step from p-methoxyphenol under basic conditions, and their fully methylated derivatives p-(dimethyloxy)calix[n]arenes (n = 6, 7 or 8) were also prepared and purified by column chromatography to indentify their structures. In this process, the single crystal of p-(dimethyloxy)calix[7]arene was obtained and its structure was confirmed. The proportion of p-(methoxy)calix[6]-, [7]- and [8]-arenes in the mixture obtained from the reaction was investigated under different reaction conditions, and p-(methoxy)calix[6]- and [8]-arenes could be separated from the mixture by solvent extraction. In addition, the host-guest interaction of p-(dimethyloxy)calix[6]arene with methyl-4,4′-bipyridinium hexafluorophosphate in organic solvents was investigated.     

Solubilizing effect of the p-phosphonate calix[n]arenes towards poorly soluble drug molecules such as nifedipine, niclosamide and furosemide

This article reports the solubilization of the practically water insoluble drug molecules such as nifedipine, niclosamide and furosemide by guest:host inclusion complexation with p-phosphonates calix[n]arenes as drug soluble agent. This complexation studies were carried out by using the phase solubility technique. From the obtained results, it was observed that the solubility of drug molecules was significantly increased in the presence of calix[n]arene host molecules. The increase in solubility of drugs by the calix[n]arene was most probably due to inclusion complexation between drug molecules and cavities of the calixarene skeleton similar to drug:cyclodextrin complexes.     

p-Sulfonic acid calix[n]arenes as homogeneous and recyclable organocatalysts for esterification reactions

Esterification yields were significantly improved using calix[n]arenes catalysts under simple conditions. p-Sulfonic acid calix[4]arene and p-sulfonic acid calix[6]arene were powerful organocatalysts in several esterification reactions, which showed activity comparable or even superior to other well-established acids catalysts, such as, sulfuric acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, and p-hydroxybezenesulfonic acid described in the literature.     

Synthesis of terpyridine-substituted calix[n]arenes

Calix[n]arenes (n = 4,5) comprising 4-(2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridyl)-phenyl substituents at the upper rim were synthesized for the first time, employing Suzuki-type coupling reactions. All calix[n]arene derivatives were prepared as cone conformers. The single crystal X-ray structure of cone-5,11,17,23-tetra{4-(2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridyl)-phenyl}-25,26,27,28-tetrabutoxycalix[4]arene 4 is analyzed in terms of structural rigidity and potential use of these ligands as novel synthons of cage-type metallosupramolecular assemblies.     

Accessing highly electron-rich calix[n]arene (n = 4 and 8) derivatives from acid-catalyzed condensation of 1,3,5-tripropoxybenzene

Synthesizing novel electron-rich calix[n]arene derivatives to alter the electronic properties of calixarene-based materials has been one of the long-standing interests. Herein, two new electron-rich calix[n]arenes (n = 4 and 8) with different sizes were synthesized by acid-catalyzed condensation reaction of 1,3,5-tripropoxybenzene and paraformaldehyde. Both derivatives were fully characterized with ¹H and ¹³C NMR, mass spectrometry and X-ray crystallography. Furthermore, their electrochemical properties and oxidized product (cation radicals) have also been investigated.     

Stereochemical control of calixarenes useful as rigid and conformationally diversiform platforms for molecular design

Stereochemical problems and related functions of calix[4]arenes, calix[6]arenes and their chiral derivatives have been reviewed. In p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene (1H₄) and its mono-, di-, tri-, and tetra-O-alkyl derivatives (1H₃R, 1H₂R₂,1HR₃, and 1R₄, respectively), 23 different homologues can exist (including 1H₄). We found that the OH group in the unmodified phenol unit is permeable through the calix[4]arene ring. Thus, several conformational isomers become equivalent after the ‘oxygen-through-the-annulus’ rotation of the OH group and the number of possible homologues is reduced to 13 (including 1H₃). We report in this paper the syntheses of all of these possible conformational isomers using a protection-deprotection method with a benzyl group and metal template effects. On the other hand, all possible chiral isomers that can be derived from calix[4]arene by modification of the OH groups have been systematically classified. Molecular asymmetry can be generated not only by different substituents but also by conformational isomerism. The numbers of chiral isomers are 17 for tetra-O-substituted calix[4]arenes, 9 for tri-O-substituted calix[4]arenes, 3 for di-O-substituted calix[4]arenes, and 0 for mono-O-substituted calix[4]arenes. Chiral calix[4]arenes can also be designed by the introduction of a substituent into the m-position of a phenol unit or by the use of a dissymmetric ‘stapling reaction’ in proximal phenol units. In p-tert-butylcalix[6]arene, the conformational behaviour is totally different from that in p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene. A large degree of conformational freedom remains in the framework, and both ‘oxygen-through-the-annulus rotation’ and ‘para-substituent-through-the-annulus rotation’ can take place. However, when metal cations are bound to calix[6]aryl esters, the conformation is changed to a cone type. Bridging and capping are powerful methods to immobilize the conformation of calix[6]arenes. In addition, definitive evidence for ring immobilization was obtained from the absence of racemization in the chiral calix[6]arene. A successful example of chiral recognition for α-amino acid derivatives was achieved by using chiral homooxacalix[3]arene which has ‘pseudo C₂ symmetry’. These examples indicate that calixarenes serve as rigid and conformationally diversiform platforms for the design of novel functional supramolecules.     

Ionic liquid [Hmim]HSO4-promoted one-pot oxidative conjugate addition of sulfur-centred nucleophiles to Baylis-Hillman adducts

The first example of the one-pot oxidative conjugate addition of sulfur-centred nucleophiles to Baylis-Hillman adducts is reported. The reaction involves oxidation of Baylis-Hillman adducts with NaNO₃ in the Brønsted acidic ionic liquid [Hmim]HSO₄ to give [E]-α-cyanocinnamaldehydes followed by conjugate hydrothiocyanation/hydrosulfenylation with NH₄SCN/PhSH to afford the corresponding β-thiocyanato (or β-phenylsulfenyl)-α-cyanohydrocinnamaldehydes diastereoselectively in 76-89% yields in a one-pot procedure. After isolation of the product, the ionic liquid [Hmim]HSO₄ could be easily recycled for further use.     

Effect of the glutaraldehyde derivatives of Calix[n]arene as cross-linker reagents on lipase immobilization

Synthesis of the glutaraldehyde derivatives calix[n]arene (n = 4,6,8) (Calix[n]-GA) and using as cross-linkers for immobilization of Candida rugosa lipase (CRL) have been discussed in this paper. The amino functional calix[n]arene derivatives (Calix[n]-NH ₂) were synthesized via reduction of dinitrile, hexanitrile and octanitrile derivatives of calix[n]arenes. These amino functional calix[n]arene derivatives (Calix[n]-NH ₂) were converted to their aldehyde derivativatives with glutaraldehyde. The calix[n]arene derivatives were used in lipase immobilization in order to see the role of calix[n]arene binding site on the lipase activitiy and stability. The activity recovery of calix[n]arene-supported lipases (Calix[n]-CRL) based on the Calix[4]-CRL, Calix[6]-CRL and Calix[8]-CRL reaches to 53.5, 66.1 and 76.4%, respectively.     

Physicochemical Characterization of Hydrated 4-Sulphonato-Calix[n]arenes: Thermal,Structural, and Sorption Properties

In this study, the thermal behavior of three hydrated water-soluble 4-sulphonato calix[n]arenes was investigated. The melting points, heats of fusion, and heats of solution of the calix[4]arene, calix[6]arene and calix[8]arene were 277, 262, and 270°C; 192, 242 and 351 kJ/mol; and 30, 58 and 63 kJ/mol, respectively. Lower heat of fusion, smaller increase in entropy and smaller heat of solution of the calix[4]arene compared to the calix[6]arene and calix[8]arene showed that less heat was required to break up the crystal lattice of the smaller macromolecule. This apparent anomaly is rationalized in terms of smaller cooperativity of interaction between the molecules of calix[4]arene in the crystal lattice, although the strength of the individual interactions is stronger as evidenced by the higher melting point. TGA analysis indicated that about 17–20% of water was associated with the calix[n]arenes. Both TGA and hot stage microscopy results indicated that upon heating these molecules underwent stepwise water loss. TGA kinetics showed that the 4-sulphonato-calix[8]arene lost water easier than the other two calixarenes. The moisture adsorption behavior of all calixarenes followed type II isotherms. For the same amount of material, the calix[6]arene adsorbed more moisture than the calix[4]arene and the calix[8]arene. Moreover, dehydrated less crystalline 4-sulphonic-calix[n]arenes powders are hydroscopic.

     

NMR studies of inclusion complexation of the pyrrolizidine alkaloid retronecine and p-sulfonic acid calix[6]arene

Accidental or intentional drug toxicity in humans and animals is a major concern and the search for detoxificant agents is a challenge. Pyrrolizidine-producing forages are a threat not only to livestock, but also to humans as a consequence of food contamination. Supramolecular systems are promising as detoxificant agents by decreasing the bioavailability of toxic compounds in biological environment. Cyclodextrin and calix[n]arenes are well known hosts for a variety of molecules and/or ions. Surprisingly, only few studies describe the potential of calix[n]arenes as host for toxic molecules. This study focused on the use of NMR techniques as tools for the investigation of the interactions between p-sulfonic acid calix[6]arene and retronecine, a toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloid.     

A general synthesis of water soluble upper rim calix[n]arene guanidinium derivatives which bind to plasmid DNA

The reaction of O-alkylated p-aminocalix[n]arenes (n=4, 6, 8) with N,N′-di(tert-butoxycarbonyl)thiourea in the presence of HgCl₂ and subsequent removal of the protective groups with hydrochloric acid led to the new water soluble calix[n]guanidinium derivatives (p-guanidiniumcalix[n]arenes) 20-23. With the exception of tetraoctyl-p-guanidiniumcalix[4]arene 21, which forms a macroscopic gelatinous aggregate even at very low concentration, all the synthesised guanidinium calixarenes show good solubility in water and sharp NMR signals. Moreover, these compounds are not cytotoxic and bind to plasmid DNA.     

Thermal behaviour of some ester derivatives of p-tert-butyl calix[n]arene

The thermal behaviour of three ester derivatives of p-tert-butyl calix[n]arene (n?=?4, 6 and 8) in comparison with the parent calixarene was investigated by means of the thermogravimetric (TG) and differential thermogravimetic (DTG) analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The thermal stability domains, the composition of the pyrolysis products and the thermal effects, were determined on the basis of TG, DTG and DSC plots registered in nitrogen flow. Attempts to analyse the evolved gases by TG-FTIR coupling were also performed. It was demonstrated that the stability of the calix[n]arene derivatives depends on both the size of the hydrophobic cavity and number of the substituting groups grafted on the calix[n]arene skeleton.     

Liquid membrane transport of cytochrome c using a calix[6]arene carboxylic acid derivative as a carrier

The present study examined the liquid membrane transport of the cationic protein cytochrome c, using the macrocyclic compound calix[6]arene, which is a carboxylic acid derivative, as a carrier. The transport rate was governed by carrier concentration and the pH gradient between the feed and the receiving phases, as well as the salt concentration in the aqueous phases. Transport of cytochrome c was examined using a series of calix[n]arene carboxylic acid derivatives (n = 4, 6 and 8). Cytochrome c successfully permeated membranes in the presence of the calix[6]arene derivative. Liquid membrane separation of cytochrome c from a mixture of cationic proteins was demonstrated under optimal conditions. Cytochrome c was selectively extracted by the calix[6]arene carboxylic acid derivative and 77% of the extracted cytochrome c was recovered into the receiving phase. In this liquid membrane system, which discriminates between the number of lysine residues on the surface of proteins, cationic proteins with similar molecular weights and pIs were separated with macrocyclic compounds.     

An efficient route to disymmetrically substituted calix[6]arenes. Synthesis of novel ligands presenting a N2S or N3CO2 binding core

The C_3v tris-methoxy calix[6]arene was selectively mono-alkylated by dibromoethane yielding a key intermediate for the design of disymmetrically O-substituted calix[6]arenes. Indeed, subsequent reactions with various functional groups afforded novel calix[6]arene-based biomimetic ligands that present a mixed donor N₂S or N₃CO₂⁻ environment in an efficient way.     

Preparation of enantiopure inherently chiral calix[5]arenes

Enantiopure inherently chiral calix[5]arenes were successfully prepared by separation of their (R)-BINOL diastereomeric derivatives of the corresponding racemates by column chromatography instead of HPLC. A new type of inherently chiral calix[5]arene was obtained.     

Alkynes to (E)-enolates using tandem catalysis: stereoselective anti-aldol and syn-[3,3]-rearrangement reactions

A new tandem catalysis strategy that transforms alkyne derivatives to (E)-enol-equivalents followed by stereoselective anti-selective aldol coupling or syn-selective [3,3]-rearrangement transformations is reported. The mechanism is thought to proceed through an interchanging series of Lewis acid and Brønsted acid catalyzed reactions via the intermediacy of a ketiminum ion species.