Allosteric coextraction of sodium and metal ions with calix[4]arene derivatives 1

Solvent extraction of three alkali metal ions with p-t-octylcalix[6]arene hexacarboxylic acid, p-t-octylcalix[4]arene tetracarboxylic acid, corresponding linear trimeric and monomeric analogs was investigated. Cyclic tetramer selectively extracts sodium ion among alkali ions at extremely low pH, while the corresponding cyclic hexamer, the trimer, and the monomer exhibited only poor extraction ability for all alkali metals examined. The detailed extractive investigation of sodium ions with the cyclic tetramer was carried out. It was found that two sodium ions are simultaneously extracted by a single molecule of calix[4]arene derivative and that the second sodium extraction is facilitated by the uptake of the first sodium. The self-coextraction mechanism of sodium ions proposed in the present paper also strongly supports allosteric coextraction of sodium and other metal ions. In the competitive extraction of four alkali metal ions, potassium ion was slightly extracted as the second ion at low pH region, whereas it was hardly extracted in the individual extraction system. The result also supports the coextraction mechanism and role of the first-extracted sodium ion as an allosteric trigger. The extraction equilibrium constants of the cyclic tetramer and two sodium ions, K _ex1 and K _ex2, were estimated.     

Origins of cooperative noncovalent host-guest chemistry in mixed valence complexes

The electronic effects resulting from noncovalent host-guest interactions between calix[6]arene and a ruthenium dimer, [Ru3O(OAc)6(CO)(ppy)]2-mu-pz (ppy=4-phenyl pyridine, pz=pyrazine), are presented. The noncovalent interaction is between the calix[6]arene and the ppy ligands of the dimer. The dimer can bind 2 equiv of calix[6]arene. The complex [Ru3O(OAc)6(CO)(ppy)]2-mu-pz forms a highly stable mixed valence ion with strong electronic coupling between the two Ru3 clusters. The strength of the electronic interaction is found to be moderated by calix[6]arene binding. Addition of calix[6]arene to the mixed valence ion causes the electronic coupling to decrease. The binding of calix[6]arene is found to be cooperative. The origins of cooperative binding are developed in terms of the potential energy surfaces associated with the symmetric and asymmetric mixed valence ion. In particular, it is found that symmetry breaking (through the binding of a single calix[6]arene) destabilizes the mixed valence state. Restoration of symmetry (through the binding of a second calix[6]arene) increases the stability of the mixed valence ion and provides an additional driving force for the binding of the second calix[6]arene.     

Ab initio and density functional studies of cooperative hydrogen bonding in calix[4]-and calix[6]arenes

The cone conformation of C ₄ symmetry is shown by the Hartree-Fock method (3-21G basis) to be the predominant conformer of calix[4]arene; the compressed cone of C ₂ symmetry is the major conformer of calix[6]arene. Using quantum chemical methods we calculated hydrogen bond cleavage energies for calix[4]-(ab initio and density functional methods) and calix[6]arene (ab initio), and also for the complex of calix[4]arene with carbon disulfide. These energies along with structural data point to the cooperative effect of hydrogen bonds. The results of these studies provided an explanation to the greater conformational lability of calix[6]arene compared with calix[4]arene molecules. It is also predicted that the nucleophilic substitution reaction involving calix[6]arene in the presence of weak bases and in aprotic solvents, as well as in the gas phase, will occur via diastereomeric transition states.     

Synthesis and Extraction Properties of 1,3,5-O-trimethyl-2,4,6-tri-O-hydroxamic Acid p-tert-butyl Calix[6]arene

A calix[6]arene bearing three hydroxamic acid groups arranged in aC₃ symmetry has been synthesized. Extraction properties towards transition metal ions are presented and compared with other proton-ionizable related calix[6]arenes and with a monomeric hydroxamic acid analog.     

Phosphate Doubly Capped Tetrahomodioxacalix[6] arene

A bisphosphate-bridged tetrahomodioxacalix[6] arene with a C2v symmetry at the ambient temperature was obtained by the reaction of tetrahomodioxacalix[6] arene with POCl3。     

Acid-catalyzed formation of hexahomooxacalix[3]arenes

The role of acid catalysis in oxacalix[3]arene synthesis has been investigated. A range of acids were used to optimize the yield of tert-butyloxacalix[3]arene, the most efficient being p-toluenesulfonic acid, which, with local symmetry complementary with that of the lower rim of the calixarene, provides a templating effect.     

Selectively formylated and bridged calix[6]arene derivatives at the upper rim

The strategy of bridging the anisole units at the upper rim of calix[6]arene has been applied to strain the conformations of calix[6]arene. Based on the selective formylation of the 1,3,5-tri-p-tert-butylcalix[6]arene, several new calix[6]arene derivatives with different 1,3-bridged chains or a 1,3,5-tripod bridge at the upper rim have been prepared with moderate yields. The ¹H NMR spectra indicate that these calix[6]arene derivatives adopt a cone conformation, which has also been confirmed by the theoretical calculation at AM1 level. X-ray crystal structure of 1,3,5-tripod bridged compound 5 discloses that the calix[6]arene host stands in a cone conformation with approximate C_3v symmetry, and that a methanol molecule is enclosed in its hydrophobic cavity and stabilized by multi hydrogen bonds.     

Thiacalix[4]arene derivatives as radium ionophores: a study on the requirements for Ra2+ extraction

The synthesis and NOE-based structural characterization is described of thiacalix[4]arene tricarboxylic acid (7), thiacalix[4]crown-5 and -6 monocarboxylic acids (2 and 5), and the bis(N-methylsulfonyl)thiacalix[4]crowns-5 and -6 (4a,b). The 226Ra2+ selectivity coefficients, log(K(Ra)ex/K(M)ex), of the new thiacalix[4]arene derivatives are compared directly with those of thiacalix[4]crown-5 and -6 (1a,b), thiacalix[4]crown-5 and -6 dicarboxylic acids (3a,b), and thiacalix[4]arene di- and tetracarboxylic acids (6 and 8). Thiacalix[4]arene dicarboxylic acid (6) already exhibits a high 226Ra2+ selectivity, but this is significantly improved in the case of 3b, having an additional crown-(6-)ether bridge. The covalent combination of a crown ether and carboxylic acid substituents as in the thiacalix[4]arenes 2,3a,b,4a,b, and 5 gives a better 226Ra2+ selectivity in the presence of Sr2+ or Ba2+ than mixtures of dibenzo-21-crown-7 and thiacalix[4]arene dicarboxylic acid (6) or of pentadecanoic acid and thiacalix[4]crown-6 (1b).     

Multiple proton ionizable calixarene derivatives with different ring sizes and complexation ability as efficient ionophores for complexation and solvent extraction of trivalent indium

The solvent extraction behavior of multiple proton ionizable p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene and [6]arene carboxylic acid derivatives towards indium has been investigated along with an acyclic monomeric analogue from weakly acidic media into chloroform. The extraction mechanism is ion exchange and carboxylic acid groups are adequate ligating sites for extraction. The cyclic structure of calixarene ligands to accommodate the potential guest species and the cooperativity effect of multifunctional groups significantly affect the complexation behavior and calixarene derivatives are found to be excellent extractants over the monomeric analogue. The composition of the extracted complex depends on the solution pH and attempts to determine the composition of the extracted complex for the extraction of indium have been stymied by complications arising from the formation of polynuclear species of indium and bridged polymeric species of calixarene carboxylic acid derivatives. One mole of calix[4]arene derivative extracts 2.5 moles of indium whereas the calix[6]arene derivative tends to extract 4.0 moles of indium. The loaded indium is back extracted with 1 mol dm(-3) hydrochloric acid solution. Though quantitative back extraction of indium was achieved from the fully loaded calix[6]arene derivative, it was only achieved up to 85% in the case of the calix[4]arene derivative.     

Non-covalent calixarene-amino acid complexes formed by MALDI-MS

Non-covalent inclusion complexes formed between amino acids and derivatized calix[6]arenes are observed in MALDI mass spectrometry. The methyl, ethyl, and propyl ester derivatives of calix[6]arene yielded amino acid complexes, while the smaller calix[4]arene analogs did not. Similarly the underivatized calix[6]arene and calix[4]arene did not produce complexes. Amino acid complexes were observed for nearly all 20 amino acids in time-of-flight (TOF) analysis. In Fourier transform mass spectrometry (FTMS) analysis, however, only the most basic amino acids arginine, histidine, and lysine formed stable adducts. The complexes were abundant under matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) conditions, which suggested favorable interactions between host and guest.     

Extraction Behavior of Amino Acids by Calix[6]arene Carboxylic Acid Derivatives

A series of calixarene carboxylic acid derivatives were synthesized for the extraction of amino acids. A calix[6]arene carboxylic acid derivative showed the highest extractability to the target tryptophan ester. The main driving forcefor the complexation was the interaction between the ammonium cation of the aminoacid and the oxygen atoms of the host molecule. Stripping of amino acids was alsoaccomplished by contacting the organic solution with a fresh acidic solution. Basedon slope and Job method analyses, it was confirmed that the calix[6]arene formsa 1 : 1 complex with the amino acid ester. The structure of the complex between the calix[6]arene and the amino acid was investigated by ¹H-NMR and CD spectra. The calix[6]arene includes a guest molecule in the cavity, and the inclusion induces the asymmetrization of the host molecule. This host compound functions as a novel recognition tool for amino acids.     

Extraction of Catecholamines by Calixarene Carboxylic Acid Derivatives

Extraction behaviors of catecholamines with a series of calixarene carboxylic acid derivatives were investigated. Relatively large calix[6]arene and calix[8]arene extract catecholamines into the organic solution, while smaller calix[4]arene and the monomer analog do not. The calix[6]arene, which has a cavity that fits a protonated amino group well, selectively extracts a primary amino compound dopamine over other catecholamines. Slope analysis and Job’s method confirmed formation of a 1:1 complex between the calix[6]arene and dopamine. On the other hand, the calix[8]arene extracts both dopamine and adrenaline, due to the large cavity for induced-fit recognition. Dopamine extracted with the calixarene is quantitatively stripped by contacting the organic solution with a fresh acidic solution.     

High-performance Liquid Chromatography Study of the Nitration Course of Tetrabutoxycalix[4]arene at the Upper Rim:Determination of the Optimum Conditions for the Preparation of 5,11,17-Trinitro-25,26,27,28-tetrabutoxycalix[4]arene

A selective nitration of calix[4]arene at the upper rim in one pot process was described by monitoring the time dependence of the distribution of products by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The discrimination of five nitrated products was accomplished by molecular symmetry considerations and ¹H NMR analysis. As a result, unusual 5,11,17‐trinitrocalix[4]arene ( 2d ) was obtained in 57% isolated yield. 5,11‐Dinitro‐calix[4]arene ( 2b ) and 5,11,17‐trinitrocalix[4]arene ( 2d ) with tetranitrocalix[4]arene 2e were further characterized by crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. Furthermore, as an example of potential application, trinitrocalix[4]arene 2d could be converted to triaminocalix[4]arene 3d conveniently.     

Azacalix[6]arene hexamethyl ether: synthesis, structure, and selective uptake of carbon dioxide in the solid state

To investigate dynamic solid-state complexation hitherto unexplored in nitrogen-bridged calixarene analogues, azacalix[6]arene hexamethyl ether has been prepared in three steps by applying a 5+1 fragment-coupling approach by using a Buchwald- Hartwig aryl amination reaction with the aid of our previously devised temporal N-silylation protocol. X-ray crystallographic analysis and NMR spectroscopic measurements have revealed that the azacalix[6]arene is well endowed with hydrogen-bonding ability, by which both the molecular and crystal structures are controlled. The azacalix[6]arene is conformationally flexible in solution on the NMR time scale, whereas it adopts a definite 1,2,3-alternate conformation with S2 symmetry in the solid state as a result of intramolecular bifurcated hydrogen-bonding interactions. In the crystal, molecules of the azacalix[6]arene are mutually interacted by intermolecular hydrogen bonds to establish one-dimensional hexane-filled nanochannel crystal architecture. Although the single crystal was broken after desolvation, the resultant polycrystalline powder material was capable of selectively adsorbing CO2 among the four main gaseous components of the atmosphere. In contrast, carbocyclic p-tert-butylcalix[6]arene hexamethyl ether, the crystal structure of which was also elucidated for the first time in the present study, gave rise to almost no uptake of CO2. Additional solid-gas adsorption experiments for another three gases, such as N2, O2, and Ar, suggested that quadrupole/induced-dipole interactions and/or hydrogen-bonding interactions played an important role in permitting the observed selective uptake of CO2 by this new azacalix[6]arene in the solid state.     

Synthesis of a water-soluble pillar[6]arene dodecaamine and its selective binding of acidic amino acids in water

A water-soluble pillar[6]arene dodecaamine has been synthesized. ¹H NMR and fluorescence studies indicate that pillar[6]arene dodecaamine could selectively and strongly bind acidic amino acids, i.e. glutamic acid and aspartic acid in water. And the complexation behavior of pillar[6]arene dodecaamine towards acidic tripeptide glutathione and short chain length (C₃ to C₈) dicarboxylic acids in water is also investigated.     

Separation of Linear and Branched Alkanes Using Host–Guest Complexation of Cyclic and Branched Alkane Vapors by Crystal State Pillar[6]arene

Activated crystals of pillar[6]arene produced by removing the solvent upon heating were able to take up branched and cyclic alkane vapors as a consequence of their gate‐opening behavior. The uptake of branched and cyclic alkane vapors by the activated crystals of pillar[6]arene induced a crystal transformation to form one‐dimensional channel structures. However, the activated crystals of pillar[6]arene hardly took up linear alkane vapors because the cavity size of pillar[6]arene is too large to form stable complexes with linear alkanes. This shape‐selective uptake behavior of pillar[6]arene was further utilized for improving the research octane number of an alkane mixture of isooctane and n‐heptane: interestingly, the research octane number was dramatically improved from a low research octane number (17 %) to a high research octane number (>99 %) using the activated crystals of pillar[6]arene.     

Proparacaine complexation with β‐cyclodextrin and p‐sulfonic acid calix[6]arene,as evaluated by varied 1H‐NMR approaches

This study focused on the use of NMR techniques as a tool for the investigation of complex formation between proparacaine and cyclodextrins (CDs) or p‐sulfonic acid calix[6]arene. The pH dependence of the complexation of proparacaine with β‐CD and p‐sulfonic acid calix[6]arene was studied and binding constants were determined by ¹H NMR spectroscopy [diffusion‐ordered spectroscopy (DOSY)] for the charged and uncharged forms of the local anesthetic in β‐CD and p‐sulfonic acid calix[6]arene. The stoichiometries of the complexes was determined and rotating frame Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy (ROESY) 1D experiments revealed details of the molecular insertion of proparacaine into the β‐CD and p‐sulfonic acid calix[6]arene cavities. The results unambiguously demonstrate that pH is an important factor for the development of supramolecular architectures based on β‐CD and p‐sulfonic acid calix[6]arene as the host molecules. Such host–guest complexes were investigated in view of their potential use as new therapeutic formulations, designed to increase the bioavailability and/or to decrease the systemic toxicity of proparacaine in anesthesia procedures. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and characterization of new polyimides containing calix[4]arenes in the polymer backbone

Two diaminocalix[4]arene monomers were synthesized from p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene through a 4-step reaction sequence. New copoly(amic acid)s containing calix[4]arene moieties on the polymer backbone were successfully synthesized in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone by polycondensations of 4,4′-oxydiphthalic anhydride (ODPA) with the diaminocalix[4]arene monomers using 4,4′-oxydiphenylene diamine (ODA) as a comonomer. These copoly(amic acid)s were soluble in aprotic polar solvents, so that they can be processed in various ways. The copoly(amic acid) precursors were thermally converted to the corresponding copolyimides in films. The copolyimide films are amorphous, but insoluble in common solvents. They are thermally stable up to 366°C. The copolyimides exhibit relatively high TEC's, low T_g's, low refractive index, low dielectric constant, low optical anisotropy, low dielectric anisotropy, and low water uptake, compared to those of conventional ODPA-ODA polyimide. These property characteristics were interpreted in regard to bulky, cone-like calix[4]arene moieties and their effects on the chain conformation and morphological structure. The processability and property characteristics support that both of the copolyimides containing calix[4]arene moieties are potential candidate materials suitable for membranes, antioxidant additives, chemical sensor devices, and microelectronic devices. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 2013–2026, 1999     

Energies of charge transfer and supramolecular interactions of some mono O-substituted calix[6]arenes with [60]fullerene by absorption spectrometric method

Equilibria for the formation of supramolecular complexes of [60]fullerene with a series of mono O-substituted calix[6]arenes, namely: (i) 37-methoxy-38,39,40,41,42-pentahydroxy-5,11,17,23,29,35-hexa(4-tert-butyl)calix[6]arene (1), (ii) 37-allyl-38,39,40,41,42-pentahydroxy-5,11,17,23,29,35-hexa(4-tert-butyl)calix[6]arene (2), (iii) 37-phenacyl-38,39,40,41,42-pentahydroxy-5,11,17,23,29,35-hexa(4-tert-butyl)calix[6]arene (3), (iv) 37-ethylester-38,39,40,41,42-pentahydroxy-5,11,17,23,29,35-hexa(4-tert-butyl)calix[6]arene (4) and (v) 37-benzyl-38,39,40,41,42-pentahydroxy-5,11,17,23,29,35-hexa(4-tert-butyl)calix[6]arene (5) have been studied in CCl4 medium by absorption spectroscopic technique. The stoichiometry has been found to be 1:1 ([60]fullerene:calix[6]arene) in each case. An absorption band due to charge transfer (CT) transition is observed in each case in the visible region. The vertical ionisation potentials (I(D)(v)) of all the calix[6]arenes under study have been estimated utilising CT transition energy. The experimental I(D)(v) values also yield a good estimate of the electron affinity of [60]fullerene. The degrees of CT in the ground state of the complexes have been found to be very low (about 0.15%). Resonance energy of the complexes have been estimated. Thermodynamic parameters for the supramolecular complex formation of [60]fullerene with mono O-substituted calix[6]arene receptors are reported. It is observed that among the calix[6]arenes under the present study, only 1 and 4 form inclusion complexes with [60]fullerene. This has also been substantiated by theoretical calculation using PM3 method. Thus presence of one substituent group (of different types) on the lower rim of the calix[6]arene molecule has been shown to govern the host-guest complexation process.     

Synthesis, characterization, and conformational analysis of new perfunctionalized calix[9]arenes

The synthesis of a series of six new per-substituted p-tert-butylcalix[9]arenes derivatives has been achieved. Functions such as ester, nitrile, or carbonate have been grafted on the phenolic oxygens of calix[9]arene: p-tert-butylcalix[9]arene nona-ethyl acetate, p-tert-butylcalix[9]arene nona-carboxylic acid, p-tert-butylcalix[9]arene nona-cyanopropyloxy, p-tert-butylcalix[9]arene nona-tert-butoxycarbonyle, p-tert-butylcalix[9]arene nona-acetyl, and p-tert-butylcalix[9]arene nona-trifluoroacetyl have been obtained in good yields (from 48% to 78%) and fully characterized. The X-ray structures of p-tert-butylcalix[9]arene nona-tert-butoxycarbonyl and p-tert-butylcalix[9]arene nona-ethyl acetate have been determined. A dynamic NMR study has revealed the high conformational mobility of such structures, even at low temperature.