Study of the complexation of 5,17-bis-(N-tolyliminomethyl)-25,27-dipropoxycalix[4]arene with pyridine carboxylic acids by RP HPLC and molecular modelling

Host–guest complexation process of 5,17-bis-(N-tolyliminomethyl)-25,27-dipropoxycalix[4]arene with pyridine carboxylic acids by RP HPLC method (mobile phase – MeCN/H₂O, 86/14 by volume, LiChrosorb RP 18, UV detector, λ = 254 nm) had been studied. The binding constants and Gibbs free energies of the complexes 5,17-bis(N-tolyliminomethyl)-25,27-dipropoxycalix[4]arene with the pyridine carboxylic acids are within 584 to 1914 M^? 1 and ? 15.76 to ? 18.69 kJ/mol, respectively. It was shown by the molecular modelling that the complexes are stabilised by hydrogen bonds between carboxylic groups of the acids and nitrogen atoms of imino groups at the upper rim or oxygen atoms of the hydroxyl groups at the lower rim of the macrocycle. Linear dependence of the binding constants from the acid lipophilicity log P indicates the role of solvophobic interactions during the complexation process.