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⁺.     

Mercury(II) and silver(I) receptors based on tetrathiacalix[4]arene hydrazones

The extraction ability of phenyl hydrazone derivatives of cone- and 1,3-alternate tetrathiacalix[4]arenes towards to some alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions has been investigated by picrate extraction method. The synthesized cone-tetrathiacalix[4]arene hydrazones show a high efficiency coupled with an excellent selectivity towards for Ag⁺ and Hg²⁺ ions. The stoichiometry of complexes and the extraction constants have been determined. The influence of calix[4]arene platform’s structure and the electron donor substituents in phenyl fragments on the extraction efficiency has been discussed.     

Synthesis and characterization of linear molecular assembly of crystalline calix[4]arenes dithianes

A family of six new variously substituted calix[4]arene dithianes has been prepared from respective formyl and acetyl derivatives. Shorter reaction time, mild conditions, and facile isolation of desired products are attractive features of the described method. The new 1,2-dithiane derivatives have been characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, and FABMS analysis. The crystal structure of one of the acetyl calix[4]arene dithiane was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis, which revealed a dithiane capped linear molecular organization. Preliminary evaluation of bis (dithiane) calix[4]arene derivatives as molecular receptor for transition metal ions has revealed strong interaction with Hg²⁺ in 1:1 stoichiometry.     

Improvement of selective d-cation binding by tetrathiacalix[4]arene hydrazides: synthesis and extraction properties

New de-tert-butyltetrathiacalix[4]arenes with acetylhydrazide substituents in cone and 1,3-alternate conformations have been synthesised with good yield by the hydrazinolysis of calix[4]arene ester derivatives. The recognition ability of synthesised macrocycles towards transition and alkali metals has been investigated by the picrate extraction method. The stoichiometry of complexes and the extraction constants have been determined. It has been found that tetrahydrazides do not extract alkali metal ions, but show an excellent affinity towards transition and heavy metal cations. The 1,3-alternate conformer of de-tert-butyltetrathiacalix[4]arene has revealed a remarkable selectivity for Ni²⁺ and Ag⁺ in the row of d-elements and for Cd²⁺ ion among the toxic heavy metals. The experimental data show that the removal of tert-butyl groups from tetrathiacalix[4]arene framework leads to the drastic improvement of extraction efficiency and selectivity of new tetrahydrazides.     

Molecular Design of Calixarene 5. Syntheses and Cation Selectivities of Novel Schiff's Base p‐tert‐Butylcalix[4]arenes

Five novel Schiff's bases p‐tert‐butylcalix[4]arenes have been synthesized in high yields by the reaction of 1,3‐distally disubstituted p‐tert‐butylcalix[4]arene amine (1) with the corresponding aromatic aldehydes, and their cation binding abilities and selectivities with alkali and heavy metal ions have been evaluated by solvent extraction of aqueous metal picrates to show the highest Ag⁺ extractability for Schiff's base p‐tert‐butylcalix[4]arene (6) and the best Na⁺/Li⁺ and Ag⁺/Ti⁺ selectivities for Schiff's base p‐tert‐butylcalix[4]arene (4 and 2) over any other calix[4]arene derivatives, respectively.     

Synthesis of calix[4]arene(amido)monocrowns and their photoresponsive derivatives

A series of new calix[4]arene(amido)mono-crown compounds have been synthesized through aminolysis of calix[4]arene esters and intramolecular cyclization of the intermediates. The title compounds were converted into their nitro and azo substituted derivatives to provide novel photoresponsive molecular receptors for transition metal ions. Single crystal X-ray analysis of calix[4]arene(ethyleneamido)mono-crown (2a) revealed that the compound is present in a cone conformation with an amido loop that caps the lower rim of calix[4]arene cavity to result in stacking along axis a and axis c to provide supramolecular aggregates in the solid state. Evaluation of synthesized macrocycles in the solution phase for recognition of transition metal cations (Cr³⁺, Fe²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ag⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, Hg⁺, Hg²⁺, Pd²⁺, and Pt²⁺) by UV-visible spectroscopy revealed that p-tert-butyl-calix[4]arene mono-(amidocrown) 1c selectively shows a blue shift at 38 nm on interaction with Hg⁺ ions.     

Anion‐binding properties of two calix[4]arene derivatives containing two ferrocene imine or ferrocene amine units at the upper rim

Calix[4]arene derivatives containing ferrocene units at the upper rim have been synthesized and their anion‐binding and sensing investigated towards anions such as chloride, bromide and hydrogen sulfate by cyclic voltammetry. Electrochemical studies show that these redox‐active ligands electrochemically recognize chloride and bromide anions. These compounds have excellent selectivity for chloride and bromide ions, in the comparison with hydrogen sulfate anion. With ferrocenyl Schiff base calix[4]arene 1 an anodic shift as large as 302 mV is observed on addition of four equivalents of Cl⁻ anion. Also electrochemical and UV–vis spectroscopic titrations ferrocenyl calix[4]arene derivatives 1 with chloride and bromide ions and 2 (only with Cl⁻) indicate a 1:1 binding‐stiochiometry. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Deoxycholate as an efficient coating agent for hydrophilic silicon nanocrystals

A layer of macrocyclic calix[4]arene derivatives has been grafted on the internal surface of the mesochannels of the ordered mesoporous SBA-15 to develop highly efficient trap for heavy transition metal (HTM) ions. To ensure the successful anchoring of calix[4]arene derivatives on the surface of SBA-15, two different types of calix[4]arene derivatives, one with one trimethoxysilane functional group and another with two trimethoxysilane functional groups have been explored. XRD, N(2) adsorption and TEM results provide strong evidence that the mesoporous structure of the supporting materials retain their long range ordering throughout the grafting process. Solid-state NMR, TG and FT-IR spectroscopy indicate that both types of calix[4]arene derivatives can be well-anchored on the surface of the wall of SBA-15. Calix[4]arene derivative with only one trimethoxysilane functional group showed high grafting efficiency compared to that with two trimethoxysilane functional groups due to the intramolecular and intermolecular polycondensation between two trimethoxysilane functional groups. The HTM ions extraction capacity in aqueous solution of macrocycle functionalized SBA-15 nanohybrides for a series of HTM ions has been studied. The obtained materials demonstrated very high HTM ions extraction capacity up to 96% for Pb(2+) in aqueous solution.     

Calix[4]arene based molecular probe for sensing copper ions

A novel calix[4]arene based molecular probe for metal ions has been designed, synthesized and evaluated. Studies on its binding with different metal ions reveal a noticeable naked eye color change, bathochromic shift in absorption spectrum and remarkable enhancement in fluorescence emission in the presence of Cu²⁺ only. The role of calix[4]arene scaffold for selective recognition of Cu²⁺ has been demonstrated by repeat evaluation and analysis of an appropriate reference molecule. A rational explanation for fluorescence enhancement in 3 on interaction with copper has been suggested.     

Pyridinyl hydrazone derivatives of thiacalix[4]arene as selective extractants of transition metal ions

The recognition ability of pyridinyl hydrazone derivatives of cone- and 1,3-alternate tetrathiacalix[4]arenes towards transition and alkali metals has been investigated by picrate extraction method. The stoichiometry of complexes and the extraction constants have been determined. It has been found that hydrazones do not extract alkali metal ions but show an excellent affinity towards transition and heavy metal cations. The removal of tert-butyl groups from calix[4]arene platform in the case of cone and 1,3-alternate isomers leads to an increase of d-ion extraction selectivity or efficiency.     

Synthesis of novel p-tert-butyl-calix[4]arene derivatives and their cation binding ability: chromogenic effect upon side arms binding

A series of novel double-armed calix[4]arene derivatives, i.e. 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl -25,27-bis[2-[(2-hydroxy-5-(4-nitroazo)benzylidene)amino]ethoxy]-26,28-dihydroxy-calix[4]-arene (4), 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25,27-bis[2-[(2-hydroxy-5-(2-nitroazo)benzylidene) amino]ethoxy]-26,28-dihydroxycalix[4]arene (5), 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25,27-bis[2-[(2-hydroxy-5-(4-chloroazo)benzylidene)amino]ethoxy]-26,28-dihydroxycalix[4]arene (6), have been synthesized as an selective chromoionophore for Na⁺. The complexation behavior of ligands 4-6 with alkali metal ions Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺and Cs⁺ has been evaluated by using UV-Vis spectrometry in CH₃CN-H₂O (99:1/V:V) solution at 25°C. The UV-Vis spectra show that the complexation of 4-6 with Na⁺exhibits obvious bathochromic shifts (λ_max 379→480 nm) and there is a unique color change in the solution from yellow to red upon complexation. The binding constants for Na⁺ are higher than that of other alkali metal ions, giving the highest cation selectivity up to 7 for Na⁺/K⁺. The binding ability and photophysical behavior of alkali cations by calix[4]arene derivatives 4-6 are discussed from the point of view of substituted effects at the lower rim of parent calix[4]arene and size-fit concept between host calix[4]arenes and guest cations.     

杯[4]芳烃黄原酸酯衍生物的合成与阳离子萃取性能

以二氧六环作溶剂, 杯[4]芳烃二甲氧基二羟乙氧基衍生物2与氢氧化钾、二硫化碳作用合成了杯芳烃黄原酸盐衍生物3, 并进一步与碘甲烷或氯化苄反应首次合成了含黄原酸酯基的杯芳烃衍生物4a和4b. 阳离子萃取试验表明该新型杯芳烃衍生物比单硫杂杯芳烃衍生物具有更好的过渡金属离子萃取性能.     

Synthesis and complexation study of calix[4]arene diamine derivative incorporated in a polymeric backbone with chiral monomers

The novel chiral polymeric compounds containing more than one calix[4]arene have been synthesized by reacting a new calix[4]arene diamine derivative with two chiral monomers. These newly prepared compounds were studied by extraction of toxic heavy metal (Cu²⁺, Co²⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺), silver and alkali metal (Na⁺, K⁺) cations from aqueous phase. It was observed that the resulting calixarene-based polymers have a good complexing ability towards silver, alkali metal and toxic heavy metal cations.     

Syntheses and Metal-ion Binding Properties of Calix[4]arene Derivatives Containing Soft Donor Atoms: Highly Selective Extraction Reagents for Ag+

A series of calix[4]arene derivatives containing N or S atoms atthe lower rim were synthesized by etherification of OH groups and their metal-ion extraction abilities were studied. The extraction selectivity for Ag⁺ over other ions with these novel receptors was outstanding. Among these ligands, calix[4]arene podand, which possessed two linear ligands, has shown better binding ability with Ag⁺ than calix[4]crowns.     

Synthesis of nucleobase-calix[4]arenes via click chemistry and evaluation of their complexation with alkali metal ions and molecular assembly

In this study, calix[4]arene derivatives (11–14) bearing a single nucleobase (adenine, thymine, cytosine or guanine) were synthesised via click chemistry. The complexation ability of the synthesised derivatives with alkali metal ions was measured using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, and their molecular assembly in CDCl₃ was determined using ¹H NMR. Calix[4]arene derivatives (11–14) formed 1:1 complexes with all alkali metal ions and the rank order for the complexation selectivity was Rb⁺ > Cs⁺ > K⁺ ? Na⁺ > Li⁺. The attachment of nucleobase at the upper rim of calix[4]arene had little effect on its complexation selectivity for alkali metal ions. Thymine-, adenine- and guanine-calix[4]arenes formed self-assembled structures in CDCl₃ via base–base interactions. In addition, adenine-calix[4]arene (11) bound to thymine-calix[4]arene (12) to form a discrete species via Hoogsteen hydrogen bonding.     

Cation- and anion-assisted binding of triethylenediamine by zinc bisporphyrinates

The complexation of zinc calix[4]arene or calix[4]pyrrole bisporphyrinates with alkali metal cations, halide anions, and triethylenediamine was studied by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. It was established that the binding of molecules and/or charged particles by various fragments of calix[4]arene and calix[4]pyrrole porphyrins are interrelated processes. This makes it possible to use one process (for example, complexation of the calix[4]arene fragment of the macrocycle with alkali metal cations or complexation of the calix[4]pyrrole fragment with halide ions) as a tool for controlling another process (complexation of the porphyrin fragments of the macrocycle with neutral molecules).     

Calix[4]Arenes in the partial cone conformation as ionophores in silver ion-selective electrodes

Two calix[4]arene derivatives, in the partial cone conformation, with sulfur-containing functionalities, were tested as neutral carrier ionophores in potentiometric silver-selective electrodes of conventional membrane and membrane-coated glassy carbon electrode types. Comparison with a calix[4]arene in the cone conformation was made. The membranes were prepared using either 2-nitrophenyl octyl ether or bis(ethylhexyl)sebacate as plasticizers and potassium tetrakis(p-chlorophenyl)borate as the lipophilic salt in a poly(vinyl chloride) matrix. Both calix[4]arenes yielded electrodes of good sensitivity (approx. 47 mV dec⁻¹) in the range 10⁻⁴–10⁻¹ M and excellent selectivity [log K_Ag,_MH+ < −1.5] of transition, alkali and heavy metal cations, including sodium, mercury(II) and lead(II) cations. Temperature effects and reproducibility of response were determined and the interfering effects of mercury(II) and lead (II) ions on the membranes were noted. The partial cone conformation allows improved selectivity over certain cations relative to calix[4]arenes in the cone conformation.     

Synthesis and properties of novel calix[4]arene derivatives bearing fluorogenic coumarin units

Four novel calix[4]arene derivatives 5-8 bearing four fluorogenic coumarin units attached via imino group acting also as binding sites at the upper rim have been prepared and characterized by IR, IH NMR and MS. Compounds 5-8 adopt a cone conformation. Their complexation properties to different heavy and transition metal ions have been studied by UV-vis spectroscopy. Compounds 5, 6, 8 show selective recognition to Fe^3＋ and Cr^3＋.     

一对含有苯甲醛基修饰的杯芳烃异构体的晶体结构以及它们与铽离子配位的光物理性质

Two calix[4]arene isomers with benzaldehyde moieties, i.e., 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25,27-bis[2-(o-formyl-phenoxy)ethoxy]-26,28-dihydroxycalix[4]arene (3) and 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25,27-bis[2-(p-formylphenoxy)-ethoxy]-26,28-dihydroxycalix[4]arene (4), were synthesized according to a newly designed route in high yields, and their crystal structures have been determined by X-ray crystallographic study. The photophysical behavior on complexation of calix[4]arene derivatives 3 and 4 with terbium(Ⅲ) nitrate was investigated in anhydrous acetonitrile at 25℃ by UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopies. The crystallographic structure of 3 indicated that the eight oxygen atoms formed a preorganized ionophoric cavity due to intramolecular π-π stacking, which could encapsulate lanthanide ions tightly. In sharp contrast, the compound 4 formed a linear array by intermolecular π-π stacking, hence the oxygen atoms of pendant arms could not coordinate with metal ions, giving a poor binding ability to Tb^3 . The absorption spectra of 3 with Tb^3 showed clearly a new broad intense absorption at 385nm. Interestingly, the narrow emission line spectrum has also been observed for compound 3 with Tb^3 , and the results obtained were discussed from the viewpoint of energy transfer mechanism between host structures and the properties of lanthanide ions.     

Highly selective fluorescent chemosensor for Na<Superscript>+</Superscript> based on pyrene-modified calix[4]arene derivative

A novel calix[4]arene derivative with pyrene fluorophores at the upper rim and tetraester ionophores at the lower rim was synthesized in six steps, and its structure was proved by NMR and ESI-MS spectroscopies. Furthermore, the chemosensing behavior of the host compound for alkali and alkaline earth metal ions was investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy. The obtained results show that the calixarene host can selectively bind sodium ion with the complexation stability constant of 2190 mol⁻¹·L. The complexation with sodium ion can pronouncedly induce the excimer emission to decrease and the monomer emission to increase, whereas the addition of the other alkali and alkaline earth metal ions does not cause appreciable changes in the fluorescence spectrum of the host compound. The present calix[4]arene derivative displays potential application as fluorescent chemosensor for sodium ion. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 20421202, 20673061 & 20703025) and the 111 Project (Grant No. B06005)