Bridge-disubstituted calix[4]arenes obtained via a new preparative route. Synthesis and structural study

A series of calix[4]arenes bearing various substituents including alkyl, p-bromobenzyl, carboxy and allyl at opposite methylene bridges has been synthesized via successive metallation followed by nucleophilic substitution. In a first step, mono-lithiated calix[4]arenes react with terminal bromoalkanes to give 2-alkylated calix[4]arenes or with CO₂ the respective calixarene-2-carboxylic acid in good yields. A second lithiation step of the monosubstituted products with subsequent attachment of both polar and non-polar substituents yields several new diametrally bridge-disubstituted calix[4]arenes. 2D-NMR measurements establish the disubstituted calixarenes to predominantly adopt the 1,2-alternate conformation in solution. First examples of X-ray crystal structures of the new type of disubstituted calix[4]arenes are described featuring the calix[4]arene also in the rare 1,2-alternate conformation.     

Studies on Properties of p—Nitrophenylazo Calix[4]arene Derivatives

The p-nitrophenylazo calix[4] arene derivatives la-ld with nonlinear optical(NLO)properties were prepared by the diazo-coupling reaction of calix[4]arene with p-nitrophenyl diazonium.The diazotization reaction of p-nltroaniline was caried out with isoamyl nitrite as a source of nitrous acid in EtONa/EtOH under refluxing conditon.X-Ray crystallographic analysis and ^1H NMR sptectra reveal that they exist as cone conformation in crystal state or in soution.HRS measurements at 1064 nm in THF indicate that p-nitrophenylazo calix[4]arenes have higher hyperpolarizability βz values than the corresponding reference compound 4-(4-nitrophenylazo)-2,6-dimethyl-phenol,without red shift of the charge transfer band.The tetrakis p-nitropheylazo calix[4]arene(2)with longer alkyl chains can form monolayer aht the air/water interface.     

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.     

New artificial receptors from selectively functionalized calix[4]arenes

Abstract

The development of new synthetic methods for the monoalkylation of calix[4]arenes at the lower rim allows the synthesis of a new class of trihydroxamate siderophores. Three chelating hydroxamic acid units are introduced through a sequence of reactions which blocks the macrocycle in the cone conformation. The new ligands obtained form neutral 1:1 complexes (FeL) with iron (III), which are stable in EtOH/H₂O 9:1 at pH 2–7. Calix[4]arene bis-crown ethers are prepared by exploiting the selective 1,2-(proximal) functionalization of calix[4]arenes at the lower rim. These ligands are, however, less effective in complexing alkali metal cations compared with the 1,3-calix[4]arene crown-ethers which, in their partial cone structure, offer a better shielding for the complexed cations. Rigid upper rim-bridged calix[4]arenes potentially useful for the inclusion of neutral molecules are prepared by exploiting the selective 1,3-diformylation of calix[4]arene at the upper rim. Finally a new chloromethylation method for calix[4]arenes blocked in the cone conformation is described together with the synthesis of new cavitands.     

Mo(CO)6-mediated synthesis of calix[4]arenes carrying β-hydroxy ketones or α,β-unsaturated-β-amino ketones

Mo(CO)₆-mediated ring opening reactions of calix[4]arene isoxazolines/isoxazoles provide a new synthetic methodology for calix[4]arenes carrying bifunctional β-hydroxy ketones or α,β-unsaturated-β-amino ketones. Mo(CO)₆ is a highly selective and convenient reagent for the ring opening process of these supramolecular isoxazolines/isoxazoles.     

Synthesis and Properties of Upper Rim Schiff Base Calix[4]arenes

The synthesis and properties of upperrim Schiff base calix[4]arenes are described in thisarticle. Tetrakis-p-bromomethylcalix[4]arene(1) reacts with hexamethylenetetramine to givetetrakis-p-formylcalix[4]arene (2) in highyield. Then upper rim Schiff base calix[4]arenes 3 can be easily synthesized by 2 reacting withappropriate alkylamines. The complexation ability of3 toward transition metals Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺and Co²⁺ was studied by UV-VIS spectrophotometry.     

A study of hydrogen bonds in <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-substituted calix[4]-and calix[6]arenes by <Emphasis Type="Italic">ab initio</Emphasis> and electron density functional methods

RHF/3-21G and B3LYP/3-21G methods are used to calculate the hydrogen bond energies in calix[4]-, calix[6]-, p-fluorocalix[4]-, p-fluorocalix[6]-, p-chlorocalix[4]-, p-chlorocalix[6]-, p-bromocalix[4]-, pbromocalix[6]-, p-iodocalix[4]-, p-iodocalix[6]-arenes and a number of other p-substituted calix[4]- and calix[6]arenes (R = Me, OMe, NO₂, Ac, NH₂, CN, N₂⁺). The calculations along with the structural data give evidence of the cooperative effect of hydrogen bonding. Multiple correlation (p ≥ 0.9) between the pairs of Hammett substituent constants and the calculated values of hydrogen bond energies in the corresponding p-substituted calixarenes is found. It is predicted that in the presence of weak bases and in aprotic solvents as well as in the gas phase, the nucleophilic substitution reaction involving p-halogen calix[6]arenes should proceed through diastereomeric transition states.     

Molecular design of calixarene-based ion-selective electrodes

In order to obtain insights into relationships between the calix[4]arene structure and the ion selectivity in the electrode system, 20 ionophoric calix[4]arenes were synthesized and their ion selectivity (with Na⁺ as a standard) estimated. Among these ionophoric calix[4]arenes, 25,26,27,28-tetrakis[(ethoxycarbonyl)methoxy]-p-t-octylcalix[4]arene afforded the highest logK _NA,M ^pot value (–3.1) in the presence of 2-fluorophenyl-2-nitrophenylether (10) as the best of 13 plasticizers. This is the first example in which the Na⁺/K⁺ selectivity exceeds a factor of 10³ in the electrode system based on the neutral carrier. The high Na⁺ selectivity is attributed to modification of the upper rim which ostensibly has no relation with the component of the cavity. This paper demonstrates the potential relationships between the unique structure of the calix[4]arene-based ligands and selectivity performance for the design of ion-selective electrodes.     

Microwave-assisted synthesis of 1,3-dialkyl ethers of calix[4]arenes: application to the synthesis of cesium selective calix[4]crown-6 ionophores

Partial etherification of phenolic-OH groups of calix[4]arenes with various alkyl halides/tosylates and K₂CO₃ under microwave irradiation afforded 1,3-dialkoxycalix[4]arenes in their cone conformation only as predominant/sole product in good yields (71–85%). The protocol was found to be much superior to conventional heating both in terms of yield and reaction time. Some of the 1,3-dialkoxycalix[4]arenes were elaborated further to the syntheses of cesium selective calix[4]crown-6 ionophores.     

Synthesis of （p—Substituted phenyl）azo Calix[4] arenes

A novel method for the preparation of chromogenic calixarenes with azo groups was reported.p-Substituted(-NO2,-CH3,-Cl)amilines were diazotized with isoamyl nitrite in EtONa/EtOH under refluxing condition.Fifteen mono-,bis-,tris-and tetrakis(p-substituted phenyl)azo calix[4]arenes (including proximal and distal isomers) were obtainged respectively by diazo-coupling in different molar ratio to calix[4]arenes(1) under pH=7.5-9.0 in non-aqueous solution at 0-5℃.^1H NMR and ^13C NMR spectra of (p-substtituted phenyl)azo calix[4]-arenes indicated that they existed in cone conformation in solution.     

Thermodynamics of sublimation of calix[4]arene complexes with solvent molecules

The inclusion of small neutral organic guests (C₆H₁₄, CH₂Cl₂, CH₃OH) by calix[4]arene receptors was found by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and microanalysis. The studied calix[4]arenes can form stable intramolecular complexes with solvent molecules which keep the stoichiometric composition without changing under conditions of the sublimation experiment. The saturated vapour pressures of calix[4]arenes and complexes of calix[4]arenes with solvent molecules were determinated for the first time by the Knudsen’s effusion method in the wide temperature range. The changing of standard thermodynamic parameters of complexation by transfer process from condensed state to vapour phase was estimated. It was shown that the large flexibility of the calixarene ligand structure corresponds to a strongly negative entropic contribution as well as negative enthalpy term to the Gibbs energy of formation of host–guest complexes in the gas phase.     

Synthesis of chiral calix[4]arenes bearing tartaric ester moieties

The synthesis of chiral calix[4]arenes with tartaric acid ester moieties has been achieved by the reactions of tartaric ester chloroacetates with calix[4]arenes in moderate yields. All the chiral calix[4]arene derivatives are in a cone conformation according to the ¹H NMR doublet–doublet pattern of the protons of the methylene groups between the phenol rings. The results of NMR and specific rotations indicate that the molecules have C₂ symmetry with asymmetric features.     

Salt-Bridge Supported Bilayer Lipid Membrane Modified with Calix[n]arenes as Alkali Cation Sensors

ABSTRACT

Potentiometric behaviors of a salt-bridge supported bilayer lipid membrane (Sb-BLM) modified with Calix[n]arene (n=4, 6, 8) derivatives are described for some alkali metal ions. The modified Sb-BLM was used as an alkali cation sensor. The membrane potentials were observed to generate Nernstian responses to the concentration of alkali metal ions in electrolyte. The Sb-BLM modified with the calix[n]arenes show high selectivity for individual alkali metal ions: Calix[8]arenes for K⁺, calix[6]arenes for Cs⁺ Calix[4]arenes show no selectivity for any alkali ions. The interacting mechanism is also discussed.     

Analysis of Calix[4]arenes Using Nonaqueous Capillary Electrophoresis

In nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis (NACE), an organic solvent is used in place of an aqueous medium as the background solution to improve the solubility and selectivity for hydrophobic analytes. In this study, we employed NACE with UV detection for the analysis of eight calix[4]arenes. We examined the influence of several parameters—the buffer composition, the nonaqueous solvent‘s composition and proportion, and the concentration of the electrolyte of the nonaqueous buffer—on the efficiency of the electrophoretic separation. The separation was achieved through the analyte's different effective mobility via different degrees of deprotonation on the phenolic OH groups of the calix[4]arene. This deprotonation can further affect the analyte's ability to form a complex with the metal ion. The optimized background electrolyte (BGE), comprising a mixture of N‐methylformamide/acetonitrile (30:70, v/v) and 100 mM AcOH/20 mM NH₄OAc, provided rapid (<11 min) separation of the calix[4]arenes with good resolution. The relative standard deviations of the migration times for the eight analytes were all less than 1%. Within the calibration concentration range, the coefficients of determination (R²) were all greater than 0.9914. Thus, the present study demonstrated NACE can provide adequate separation for the analysis of calix[4]arenes.     

Synthesis of （p-Formylphenyl）azo Calix[4]arenes

Five novel azo calix[4]arenes were reported. The p-aminobenzaldehyde was diazotized with sodium nitrite in aqueous hydrochloride solution. Mono-, bis-, tris- and tetrakis(p-formylphenyl)azo calix[4]arenes (including proximal and distal isomers) were obtained respectively by diazo-coupling in different molar ratio to calix[4]arene(1) under pH=7.5--8.5 at 0-5℃. All (p-formylphenyl)azo calix[4]arenes were characterized by ^1H NMR, ^13C NMR, IR, MS (ESIMS) spectroscopies and elemental analysis.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of p-acylated calix[4]arene ethers

C-acylation of calix[n]arenes is an important reaction which has been primarily utilized for their further functionalization to provide conformers with varying shapes, cavity dimensions and molecular receptor characteristics that can bind ionic and neutral species in a selective and specific manner. The length of the alkyl chain at the upper or the lower rim of calixarenes can be adjusted as required to give derivatives which can span the channels and membranes and majorly influence transport phenomenon. As a part of our program to obtain calixarene based derivatives that can span and scan artificial membranes, C-acylation of calix[4]arene has been examined to yield peracylated and partially acylated calixarene ethers. 5,11,17,23-Tetraacetyl-25,26,27,28-tetramethoxycalix[4]arene has been obtained in 80 % yield by treatment of tetramethoxycalix[4]arene with acetyl chloride in the presence of aluminum chloride using dichloromethane as the solvent. The structure was established by the conversion to corresponding phenyl hydrazones and oximes. The tetraacetyltetramethoxycalix[4]arene 2a crystallized in a monoclinic lattice, space group P2₁/C with a = 10.320(2) Å, b = 18.928(4) Å, c = 18.421(4) Å, β = 95.44(3)^o, Z = 4. The corresponding methyl substituted O7 directs inwards towards the cavities of calix[4]arene to give an inward flattened partial cone conformation. Molecular packing shows the presence of intermolecular C–H···O, H-bonding interactions between methyl and methylene hydrogens and oxygens of the acetyl groups.     

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.     

The inhibitory properties of acidic functionalised calix[4]arenes on human papillomavirus pentamer formation

ABSTRACT

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the leading cause of cervical cancer, with only some HPV types prevented with vaccines and no treatments for the viral infection itself. One way to target viral infection is by inhibiting the assembly of the L1 monomer into a pentamer, which forms the viral capsid. Four calix[4]arene compounds functionalised with D- and L-aspartic and glutamic acid and an iminodiacetic functionalised calix[4]arene were synthesised and tested for L1 pentamer formation inhibition. The amino acid functionalised calix[4]arene derivatives showed millimolar inhibition (IC₅₀ = 0.72 to 2.67 mM) of pentamer formation, with little difference between the stereoisomers. The iminodiacetic acid calix[4]arene derivative showed no inhibitory properties, despite sharing structural similarities with the four other calix[4]arenes. Confirmation of binding the negatively charged compounds to the positive residues of the L1 protein was achieved by trypsin digestion. This study is helpful in the development of cost-effective inhibitors to prevent HPV assembly.     

Synthesis of New Calix[4]arenes Functionalizated by Acetylhydrazide Groups

A series of new calix[4]phenols, calix[4]resorcinols and calix[4]pyrogallols with acetylhydrazide substitutes has been␣synthesized with high yields by hydrazinolysis of ester group containing calix[4]arenes. The synthesized calix[4]phenols adopt the cone conformation while the calix[4]resorcinol and calix[4]pyrogallol derivatives prefer the boat conformation. The amide fragment of the hydrazide groups predominantly exists in the trans-conformation. The binding ability of synthesized calix[4]arenes toward transition and alkali metals by solvent extraction has been investigated.     

Design and Synthesis of Novel Amino Acid‐Bearing Macrocyclic Calix[4]Arenes

Abstract

A new family of macrocyclic calix[4]arenes (4a–d) potentially capable of chiral recognition were synthesized by incorporating the chirality inducing moieties, bis α‐amino acylated polyethylene glycols, or tripeptide bis‐Phe Cystine(OMe)₂ to the lower rim.