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⁺.     

Sulphur-enriched thiacalix[4]arenes in the cone conformation: synthesis, crystal structures and cation binding properties

The synthesis and crystal structure of p-tert-butylthia- and p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene derivatives 1–7 substituted at the narrow rim by diethylthiophosphate ester groups, -PS(OEt)₂ are reported. In these compounds the phosphorus atoms are directly attached to the phenolic O atoms of the calix units and the S atoms of the thiophosphate may serve as a two-electron donor to a metal ion. Their crystal structures were solved, which revealed their cone conformation. Their cation-binding properties have been established by liquid-liquid extraction of metal picrates from water into dichloromethane and stability constant determination in acetonitrile using UV-absorption spectrophotometry. Quantitative extraction was achieved for Ag⁺ (%E = 99) with the tetra-substituted thiacalix[4]arene derivative. The complexes were found to be of 1:1 stoichiometry and the location of the metal cations was shown to be nearby the sulphur atoms by ¹H NMR.     

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.     

Transition metal ion selective ortho-ester diazophenylcalix[4]arene

New chromogenic dizophenylcalix[4]arene 1 showing selective color change to transition metal ions over other alkaline and alkaline earth metal ions has been prepared in the cone conformation and tested for its usefulness.     

BODIPY appended cone-calix[4]arene: selective fluorescence changes upon Ca binding

BODIPY appended new calix[4]arene diethyl ester (1) has been synthesized in the cone conformation. With respect to fluorescence intensity changes upon metal ion complexation, 1 shows a Ca²⁺ ion selectivity over other metal cations. Presence of two proximal hydroxyl groups and two facing ethyl esters in BODIPY-calix[4]arene were observed to play an important role in exhibiting its selective Ca²⁺ ion binding.     

Synthesis and Metal Ion Recognition Properties of a Novel Chiral Calix[4](azoxa)crown-7

A novel chiral calix[4](azoxa)crown-7 (9) has been synthesized and its metal ion recognition properties investigated. The starting reagents, chiral diamine 5 and calix[4]arene diacid chloride derivative 8, were prepared according to literature methods. ¹H and ¹³C NMR data show that 9 exists in a cone conformation. In liquid–liquid extraction experiments, 9 exhibits selectivity for Li⁺ among the other alkali metals and a good extraction ability for transition metal cations, suggesting its potential use in different fields, such as a sensor for ions as well as for chiral molecules.     

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.     

Calix[4]arene-thiacrown-5 di(carboxylic acid) regioisomers as metal ion extractants

A regioisomer of a previously reported p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene-1,3-thiacrown-5 di(carboxylic acid) is prepared in which the thiacrown ring attachment sites are moved from distal phenolic oxygens of a cone p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene scaffold to proximal phenolic oxygens. The influence of this structural variation in the di-ionizable calixcrown ligand on competitive solvent extractions of alkali metal cations and of alkaline earth metal cations and single species solvent extractions of Hg²⁺ and Pb²⁺ from aqueous solutions into chloroform is evaluated.     

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.     

Excellent Ag+ selective receptors: Syntheses and complexation properties of novel biscalix[4]arene with benzalazine groups

By reacting mono-substituted or 1,3-bi-substituted [2-(p-formylphenyloxy)ethyloxy]-p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene (3 or 4) with hydrazine hydrate in ‘1+2’ or ‘2+2’ condensation mode, novel benzalazine-bridging biscalix[4]arenes 5 and 7 were conveniently obtained in the yields of 76 and 81%, respectively. Condensation of compound 4 and salicylide hydrazone gave a novel calix[4]arene benzalazine derivative 6 in the yield of 85%. The structures and conformations of all new compounds were characterised by elemental analyses, ESI-MS, ¹H NMR and ¹H–¹H COSY techniques. Biscalix[4]arene 7 adopts a symmetrical cone conformation with tube cavity. The liquid–liquid extraction experiment showed that all new hosts possessed excellent complexation abilities towards soft metal cations. Compound 7 exhibited high complexation selectivity towards Ag⁺. The Ag⁺/Na⁺ and Ag⁺/Hg²⁺ extraction percentages of host 7 were as high as 73.1 and 54.9, respectively. The UV–vis spectra complexation experiments revealed that the complexation constant of receptor 7 with Ag⁺ was 1.9 × 10⁵ M^? 1 and the 1:1 stoichiometry of receptor 7–Ag⁺ complex was formed. The ¹H NMR spectra complexation experiments suggested that Ag⁺ was bound in a cavity composed of two benzalazine groups on bridging chains.     

Synthetic and NMR Studies on Calix[n]Arene (n = 4,6,8) Triflates,Mesylates, and Tosylates

Abstract

The synthesis and full characterization of eight new calix[n]arene sulfonate esters including their conformational analysis were carried out. While p-tBucalix[6]arene and p-tBu-calix[8]arene esters are conformationally labile in the temperature interval of 25–100°C, p-tBu-calix[4]arene mono-and diesters were isolated as stable conformers at ambient temperature. Two 1,3-functionalised compounds of these derivatives, p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene ditriflate (5) and dimesylate (6) were shown unexpectedly high conformational stability up to 100°C by dynamic NMR measurements. The NMR measurements confirm the pinched-cone conformation for both derivatives. For the dealkylated calix[4]arene derivatives the partial cone conformer of the triesters have been obtained as major products in all cases.     

Conformationally Selective Synthesis of Mononitrocalix[4]arene in Cone or Partial Cone

Nitro‐substituted calixarenes in a cone and a partial cone conformation were prepared selectively using distinct synthetic routes. The selective nitration of tris‐ or penta‐substituted phenols of calix[4]arene or calix[6]arene provided mononitrocalix[n ]arenes (n  =  4, 6). Subsequent addition of ethylene glycol (EG) moieties to mononitrocalix[4]arene provided tetraEGylcalix[4]arene in locked partial cone conformation. By an alternative route – initial addition of EG moieties to the non‐derivatized calix[4]arene followed by the uncontrolled nitration – provided mononitro‐ and dinitro‐tetraEGylcalix[4]arenes locked in the cone conformation. These nitrocalix[4]arenes with locked cone or partial cone conformation are useful building blocks for further assembly of supramolecular systems, especially in the area of material sciences.     

Unique inclusion behaviour of 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25,26,27,28-tetraaminothiacalix[4]-arene towards small organic molecules

Tetraaminothiacalixarene 3, bearing four amino groups instead of the hydroxy groups of p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene 2, exhibits inclusion properties different from those of compound 2 towards small organic molecules upon crystallisation from neat solvents or guest solutions. X-ray crystallographic analyses reveal that nitromethane and acetonitrile are included into the cone-shaped cavity of compound 3, as is often seen in inclusion crystals of compound 2, whereas dichloromethane occupies a space between two distal benzene rings of compound 3, adopting a 1,3-alternate conformation. Acetic acid, which forms a dimer, fills a pore surrounded by four host molecules with a pinched cone conformation. Furthermore, guest-free crystals of compound 3 with a 1,3-alternate conformation absorb acetonitrile to give inclusion crystals with the same crystal structure as that obtained by the crystallisation. Thus, compound 3 flexibly changes its conformation according to the structures of guest compounds.     

Synthesis of novel cone-configurated hexa-tert-butyl-trimethoxy-calix[6]arenes bearing tris(bipyridyl) pendants and their use in recognition and ionic speciation

A series of novel cone-configurated p-tert-butyl-trimethoxycalix[6]arenes bearing three 2,2′-bipyridyl units at their lower rim have been synthesized. The ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectra of synthesized derivatives revealed that the ring inversion in calix[6]arene could be suppressed by the introduction of three 2,2′-bipyridyl moieties at the lower rim of calix[6]arene scaffold which fixes it into its cone configuration. The complexation ability of the synthesized receptors (5a–d) towards Fe(II) ion was investigated by UV-Visible titration to reveal that the synthesized receptors interact with Fe(II) in a 1:1 binding stoichiometry and respond to a specific oxidation state of the metal ion. The observations have significance for studies directed at the design of molecular receptors for ionic speciation through molecular recognition.     

Synthesis and amino acid extraction abilities of chiral calix[4]arene triamides containing amino alcohol units

Herein the synthesis and extraction abilities of new d-/l-phenylalaninol substituted p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene triamide derivatives (3 and 4) towards amino acids are reported. These compounds (3 and 4) have been easily synthesized via aminolysis of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene trimethylester (2) with d-/l-phenylalaninol in methanol-toluen solvent system at one step. The extraction properties of the prepared chiral calix[4]arene triamide derivatives (3 and 4) towards some selected amino acid methylesters are studied by liquid–liquid extraction. Results show that these chiral calix[4]arene triamide derivatives (3 and 4) exhibited a good affinity towards all amino acid species without any remarkably discrimination.     

Synthesis, NMR, X-ray structural analyses and complexation studies of new Ag selective calix[4]arene based dipodal hosts—a co-complexation of neutral and charged species

New podands based on the p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene unit with substitution at the lower rim incorporating imine units, have been synthesized in high yield by simple condensation method. These podands have been shown to extract and transport Ag⁺ selectively over alkali, alkaline earth metal cations, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Hg²⁺ ions, from neutral aqueous phase to organic phase. In all the ligands the calix unit has been found to be present in a cone conformation except for the one having pyridine as end group, at the ortho position. It has been isolated in two conformations; cone and 1,2-alternate. To the best of our knowledge, this may be the first 1,3-lower rim substituted calix[4]arene to exist in a 1,2-alternate conformation and is among a few known compounds with this conformation in the general class of calix[4]arenes. A complex of this ligand, which happens to be the highest extractant of Ag⁺ has been isolated and characterized using mass, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy's and elemental analysis. The spectroscopic evidence and molecular modelling studies performed on the complex suggest a participation of the imine and pyridine nitrogens and two of the ether oxygens in coordination to the metal ion. The X-ray crystal structures of three of the ligands establish the formation of inclusion complexes with polar acetonitrile solvent molecules. The ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra of all the compounds, taken in CDCl₃, show the presence of acetonitrile molecules in the cavity of the calix[4]arene, indicating inclusion of the neutral guest molecules in the solution phase as well. For one of the podands X-ray crystal structure has shown a formation of clatharate complex of chloroform with the ligand which has rarely been found in the case of calix[4]arenes.     

Aminolysis reaction of calix [ 4 ] arene esters and crystal structures and conformational behaviors of calix[4]arene amides

We first make use of aminolysis of calix[4]arene esters to synthesize calix[4]arene amides. When the two ethyl esters of the calix[4]arene esters are aminolysized, the 1, 3-amide derivative is formed selectively. The crystal structures of the calix-[4]arene with two butyl amide (3b) and four butyl amide moieties (4b) were determined. The intermolecular hydrogen bonds make 4b form two-dimensional net work insolid state. The 1H NMR spectra prove that 3b is of a pinched cone conformation, while 4b and tetraheptylamide-calix[4]arene (6b) take fast interconversion between two C2v isomers in solution and appear an apparent cone conformation at room temperature. As decreasing temperature, the interconversion rate decreases gradually and, finally, the interconversion process is frozen at Tc = -10℃, which makes both conformations of 4b and 6b the pinched cone structures. The hydrogen bond improves the interconversion barrier, and the large different values of the potential barrier between 6b and 4b (or 6b) may     

The design of cone-fixed calix[4]arene analogs by takingsyn-[2.n]metacyclophanes as a building block

Rigidified calix[4]arene analogs were synthesized fromsyn-[2.n]metacyclophanes as a building block. Their structure was firmly locked in the cone conformation. An enlarged calix[4]arene analog was obtained after the cyclobutane ring cleavage of the parent analog by Birch reduction. Several ionophores have been derived from the analogs and been found to select the larger ions during the extraction of alkali metals, transition metals, and lanthanoids. The ionophore having oligoethylene glycol units showed an effective catalytic activity for S_N2 reactions such as ester synthesis, Williamson ether synthesis, and Finkelstein reaction in several media.This paper is dedicated to the commemorative issue on the 50th anniversary of calixarenes.     

Sorption of heavy metal ions by silica gel-immobilized, proton-ionizable calix[4]arenes

Silica gel-immobilized, di-ionizable calix[4]arenes are employed as stationary phases in ion-exchange chromatography for selected heavy metal ions. Sorption efficiencies for Pb²⁺ are dependent on the structure of the calix[4]arene ligand and the linker that joins the ligand to the silica gel, as well as the acidity of the sample solution. Although the resins exhibit only poor sorption of Cd²⁺, they are found to be scavengers for Hg²⁺. Competitive sorption studies are conducted with selected resins.     

Hard–Soft Receptors, Tetrakis[(N,N-diethylaminocarbonyl)methoxy] thiacalix[4]arene Derivatives with cone and 1,3-alternate Conformation

Direct O-alkylation of p-tert-butyltetrathiacalix[4]arene with N,N-diethylchloroacetamide afforded two conformational isomers (1,3-alternate and cone) of tetrakis[(N,N-diethylaminocarbonyl)methoxy]thiacalix[4]arene and 1,3-disubstituted bis[(N,N-diethylaminocarbonyl)methoxy]thiacalix[4]arene, depending on the base used. The complaxation behaviors of the tetrakis isomers were assessed by ¹H NMR titration experiments. Evidence of 1:2 (homo- and hetero-dinuclear) complexes formation of 1,3-alternate-tetrakis[(N,N-diethylaminocarbonyl)methoxy]thiacalix[4]arene with alkali (K⁺ and Na⁺) or transition (Ag⁺) metal ions was obtained. Interestingly, it was found that the cone-tetrakis[(N,N-diethylaminocarbonyl)methoxy]thiacalix[4]arene required a prior Ag⁺ complexation to form 1:2 heterodinuclear complex. Received in final form: 26 January 2005