Highly selective fluorescent recognition of Zn2+ based on naphthalene macrocyclic derivative

A new macrocyclic chemosensor containing two naphthalene fluorophores has been synthesized. The fluorescent properties of this receptor has been studied in the presence of various metal ions such as Na⁺, Ag⁺, Cr³⁺, Mn²⁺, Fe³⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺. When increasing concentrations of Zn²⁺ ions were introduced, the emission of L was drastically increased (EFE = 4.34). This special change was not observed when other metal ions were used; such highly selective fluorescent response indicates that this receptor can easily discriminate Zn²⁺ ions from other similar species. Model calculations at DFT level further suggest the possible interaction mode, and relatively steric position between the host and guest also influence the optical response.     

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.     

A supramolecular optic receptor for selective recognition CDP in neutral aqueous solution

We designed and synthesized a Cu-coordination complex based on a seven-membered amide cycle and studied its binding ability with nucleotides (cytidine 5′-monophosphate (CMP), cytidine 5′-diphosphate (CDP), cytidine 5′-triphosphate (CTP), cytidine d-5′-monophosphate (dCMP), and thymidine d-5′-monophosphate (dTMP)) by UV-Vis spectroscopy. Results indicate that the compound shows the highest binding ability with CDP among the studied nucleotides and can selectively and strongly bind nucleotides in neutral aqueous solution. The compound can be used as optical receptor for the detection of CDP.     

Preparation, properties, and reactions of metal-containing heterocycles: Part CVI. Three-dimensional water-soluble platinacyclophanes

Trifunctional primary phosphines of the type 1,3,5-[PH₂(CH₂)_n]₃C₆H₃ (3b–d) were obtained via an Arbusov reaction between the 1,3,5-tris(bromoalkyl)benzenes 1b–d and P(OEt)₃ followed by a reaction of the trisphosphonates 1,3,5-[(EtO)₂P(O)(CH₂)_n]₃C₆H₃ (2b–d) with LiAlH₄. A straightforward conversion of these sensitive key phosphines 3b–d to the corresponding water-soluble ligands 1,3,5-tris[bis(hydroxymethyl)phosphinylalkyl]benzenes 4b–d and 1,3,5-tris[bis(2′-diethylphosphonatoethyl)phophinylalkyl]benzenes 5b–d was achieved by formylation with formaldehyde and hydrophosphonation with diethyl vinylphosphonate, respectively. A five component self-assembly consisting of three equivalents of the platinum(II) complex Cl₂Pt(NCPh)₂ and two equivalents of the ligands 5b–d under high dilution conditions resulted in the formation of the nanoscaled, water-soluble triplatinacyclophanes 6b–d in high yields. However, comparable reactions with the ligands 4b–d led only to polymeric materials, which are insoluble in all organic solvents and water. The structures of the metallacyclophanes 6b–d were elucidated by ³¹P{¹H}-, ¹³C{¹H}-, and ¹⁹⁵Pt{¹H}-NMR spectroscopic investigations.     

Pyrrole/macrocycle/MOF supramolecular co-assembly for flexible solid state supercapacitors

Supramolecular assemblies constructed through the encapsulation of conductive polymers (CPs) by macrocyclic molecules have attracted increasing interest in the fields of supramolecular chemistry and electrochemistry. In this work, an effective strategy was reported to improve the stability and conductivity of CPs by electrochemically constructing different supramolecular assemblies composed of macrocycles and CPs. Typically, we uploaded zinc-based MOF (ZIF-8) onto carbon nanotube film (CNTF) and further electrically deposited macrocycles and CPs to gain the flexible conductive electrodes. Herein, five different supramolecular macrocycles, including α-cyclodextrin (α-CD), sulfato-β-cyclodextrin (SCD), sulfonatocalix[4]arene (SC[4]), cucurbit[6]uril (CB[6]) and cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) were utilized and the electrochemical performances of the assembly electrodes increased in an order of α-CD < SCD < SC[4] < CB[6] < CB[7], significantly improving the areal capacitance up to 1533 mF/cm². This strategy may provide a new way for the application of macrocyclic supramolecules in electrochemical systems.     

Template synthesis of a macrocycle with a mixed NHC/phosphine donor set

Reaction of cis-[ReCl(NHC)(CO)₄] cis-[1] (NHC = NH,NH-substituted saturated cyclic diaminocarbene) with diphosphine (2-F-C₆H₄)₂P-CH₂CH₂-P(C₆H₄-2-F)₂2 yields complex fac-[Re(NHC)(2)(CO)₃]Cl fac-[3]Cl. Deprotonation of the NH,NH-NHC ligand in fac-[3]Cl with KOtBu leads to an intramolecular nucleophilic aromatic substitution of one fluorine atom from each -P(C₆H₄-2-F) group by the NHC ring nitrogen atoms with formation of complex fac-[4]Cl bearing a facially coordinated [11]ane-P₂C^NHC ligand. Reaction of cis-[MnBr(NHC)(CO)₄] cis-[5] (NHC = NH,NH-substituted saturated cyclic diaminocarbene) with diphosphine 2 yields complex [MnBr(NHC)(2)(CO)₂] [6] without substitution of the bromo ligand and with the phosphine donors from the bidentate diphosphine occupying one cis and one trans position to the NHC donor.     

Synthesis and anion recognition of a novel oleanolic acid-based cyclic dimer

A novel cyclic dimer based on oleanolic acid was synthesized using click chemistry and it showed remarkable selectivity and affinity to bind fluoride ion through C-H?F hydrogen bond interactions which involved the delocalization of proton in methylene.     

Synthesis and self-assembly of a triphenylene-containing amphiphilic conjugated macrocycle

A new amphiphilic π-conjugated system containing a shape-persistent conjugated macrocycle with two triphenylene chromophores as the anchoring units has been successfully synthesized. The amphiphilic macrocycle has been found to self-assemble into robust and uniform microspheres, presumably due to the strong π−π stacking interaction between triphenylene chromophores.     

Self-assembly of naphthalene diimides into cylindrical microstructures

We have designed two rod-shaped compounds each incorporating a naphthalene diimide core and two terminal carboxylic acids. Both molecules aggregate in aqueous solution and spontaneously organize into cylindrical microstructures on the surface of solid substrates. Presumably, hydrogen bonds between the carboxylic acid termini and hydrophobic contacts between the naphthalene diimide cores are mainly responsible for the formation of these supramolecular arrays. Indeed, extended stacks of molecules self-assemble with close contacts between their aromatic cores in single crystals grown from polar solvents.     

Formation of water-soluble sulfonated azacalix[4]arenes from cyanuric chloride

Addition of cyanuric chloride 2 (2,4,6-trichlorotriazine) to 4,6-diaminobenzene-1,3-disulfonic acid 1 gives a bis-triazine 3 which may be cyclised with diaminoarenes to yield water-soluble azacalix[4]arenes 5a-d. Alternatively, double substitution of chloride from the bis-triazine 3 yields new bis-triazine derivatives which may likewise be cyclised to functionalised azacalixarenes bearing functionalised side chains.     

Monoglycoconjugated water-soluble phthalocyanines. Design and synthesis of potential selectively targeting PDT photosensitisers

A series of asymmetrically substituted phthalocyanines conjugated to four different carbohydrate units has been designed to be used as photosensitisers for potential selective recognition by targeted cells.     

Searching for new host compounds: synthesis and characterization of novel crown ether-functionalized dendrimers

Novel lipophilic dendrimers as host compounds, that is, 7-15, containing crown ether moieties with different sizes as the core, surrounded by first, second or third generation poly(aromatic ether) wedges, were synthesized by the use of bis(bromomethyl)-substituted crown ethers and Fréchet-type poly(benzyl ether) dendrons as building blocks. The compounds were fully characterized.     

One-bath synthesis of hydrophilic molecularly imprinted quantum dots for selective recognition of chlorophenol

A simple one-bath strategy has been developed to synthesize a novel CdTe@SiO₂@MIP（molecularly imprinted and silica-functionalized CdTe quantum dots,MISFQDs）,in which a silica shell was coated on the surface of CdTe quantum dots （CdTe@SiO₂ QDs） and then a polymer for selective recognition of 4-chlorophenol（4-CP） was constructed on the surface of CdTe@SiO₂ QDs using mercaptoacetic acid as stabilizer,3-aminopropyl-trimethoxysilane（APTES） as functional monomers and tetraethoxysilane（TEOS） as crosslink agent.The structures of CdTe@SiO₂@MIP were analyzed by ultraviolet-visible absorption. Fluorescence,FT-IR spectrum and powder X-ray diffraction.The application and characterization of the CdTe@SiO₂@MIP were investigated by experiments.All results indicated that the CdTe@SiO₂@MIP can selectively recognize 4-chlorophenol.     

Efficient synthesis of water-soluble calix[4]arenes via thiol-ene “click” chemistry

Several water-soluble calix[4]arenes were synthesized via radical addition reaction between thiols and alkenes under UV lamp irradiation (λ= 365 nm) in good yields. The structures of these compounds synthesized herein were fully confirmed by 1H NMR, ESI-MS and elemental analysis.     

Formation of a one-dimensional helical alignment of water molecules within a water-mediated supramolecular helix using molecular self-assembly of a water-soluble short pseudopeptide

The reported pseudopeptide 1 adopts a double turn molecular conformation consisting of an intramolecular 9-membered turn together with a water-mediated 11-atom turn and this pseudopeptide 1 self-assembles to form a water-mediated supramolecular helical structure with internal water molecules, which are aligned in a 1D helical array.     

Highly selective fluorescent chemosensors for cadmium in water

The design, synthesis and photophysical evaluation of two new chemosensors 1 and 2 is described for the selective detection of Cd(II) in water at pH 7.4. Both are based on the use of aromatic iminodiacetate receptors that connected to an anthracene fluorophore by covalent methyl spacers. These are highly water-soluble sensors where the fluorescence is ‘switched off’ between pH 3-11, due to photoinduced electron transfer (PET) quenching of the anthracene excited state by the receptor. Upon protonation of the receptor, the emission was however, ‘switched on’. From these changes pK_as of 1.8 and 2.5 were determined for 1 and 2 respectively. Both showed good selectivity for Cd(II) over competitive ions such as group II and Zn(II), Cu(II), Co(II). For 1, having a single receptor, only a weak monomer anthracene emission was observed for the free sensor at pH 7.4 (HEPES buffer, 135 mM NaCl). Upon Zn(II) titration, a broad red shifted emission occurred, centred at 468 nm. In the presence of Cd(II), a similar red shifted emission was also observed, however, this time centred at 506 nm. In contrast to these results, the fluorescence of 2 in the presence of Zn(II) gave rise to typical monomeric anthracene emission, due to suppression of PET, that is, the anthracene emission was ‘switched on’. Nevertheless, in the presence of Cd(II) a broad emission centred at 500 nm was observed, similar to that seen for 1. These ion induced long wavelength emission bands were assigned to the formation of charge-transfer complexes (exciplexes) between the anthracene moieties and the ion-receptor complexes. Importantly, for both 1 and 2, a selective detection of Cd(II) was possible, even in the presence of Zn(II).     

Optical and electrochemical recognition studies of anions via novel benzothiazole azo-derivative

Herein, a novel supramolecular probe 4-(2-phenyldiazenyl)-2-(benzothiazol-2-yl) phenol (1) has been described, where assimilation of benzothiazole unit with azo functionality led to innovative electrochemical and optical response towards anions. The successful formation was confirmed using ¹HNMR, ¹³C NMR and HRMS. This rationally planned receptor 1 exhibits multi recognition modes in showing selectivity towards AcO^- and F^- anions by both visual and absorption processes; while I^- is sensed selectively via redox mechanism. The multi recognition mechanisms were thoroughly documented by DFT giving an insight picture of the mode of interaction of the anions in HOMO-LUMO energy levels ultimately affecting the activity of the designed benzothiazole moiety. Optimization of various parameters related to redox response was also analyzed by Taguchi method to minimize the effect of uncontrollable variables. Lower detection limit for the anions by different response mechanisms in a single moiety enhances the future possibility of an economic and time saving multichannel chemosensor.     

Synthesis of a novel water-soluble polyamide dendrimer based on a facile convergent method

A novel, rapid, inexpensive, and highly efficient convergent approach has been developed for the synthesis of a 32-amine-terminated G3 polyamide dendrimer by the hydrolysis of the dendrimer with trifluoroacetamide groups. The resulting dendrimer could be successfully modified with oligo(ethylene glycol) chains at its periphery to afford a novel water-soluble polyamide dendrimer. The structural homogeneity of the dendrimers was confirmed by NMR and MALDI-TOF mass spectroscopies.     

Synthesis and properties of a graphene-like macrocycle based on tetraphenylethene

In this work, tetraphenylethene macrocycles are selectively synthesized in one step from McMurry coupling reaction of 1,1-bis(4-phenylcarbonyl)-2,2-diphenylethene in 45% overall yield. A more planar cyclized compound can be obtained by oxidization of tetraphenylethene macrocycles with iron (III) chloride in nitromethane. Their unusual optical properties and electrical properties are explored. The measured mobilities are 0.7022 and 0.0055 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹, respectively. The decomposition temperatures are also measured by thermal gravimetric analysis as, respectively 342 °C and 455 °C, indicating good thermal stabilities. The understanding of the structure and properties will benefit to the chemical synthesis of graphene.     

Chemical characteristics of the products of the complexation reaction between copper(II) and a tetra-aza macrocycle in the presence of chloride ions

The reaction of copper(II) perchlorate with the hydrochloride salt of 3,6,9,15-tetra-azabicyclo[9.3.1]penta-deca-1,11,13-triene (L1) in acetonitrile forms two macrocyclic complexes that can be characterized: [L1Cu^IICl][ClO₄] (1) and [L1Cu^IICl]₂[CuCl₄] (2). The structural, electronic, and redox properties of these complexes were studied using spectroscopy (EPR and UV–visible) and electrochemistry. In addition, the solid-state structure of 1 was obtained using X-ray diffraction. The copper(II) is five-coordinate ligated by four N-atoms of the macrocycle and a chloride atom. EPR studies of 1 both in DMF and aqueous solution indicate the presence of a single copper(II) species. In contrast, EPR studies of 2 performed in frozen DMF and in the solid-state reveal the presence of two spectroscopically distinct copper(II) complexes assigned as [L1Cu^IICl]⁺ and [Cu^IICl₄]^2?. Lastly, electrochemical studies demonstrate that both [L1Cu^IICl]⁺ and [Cu^IICl₄]^2? are redox active. Specifically, the [L1Cu^IICl]⁺ undergoes a quasi-reversible Cu(II)/(I) redox reaction in the absence of excess chloride. In the presence of chloride, however, the chemical irreversibility of this couple becomes evident at concentrations of chloride that exceed 50 mM. As a result, the presence of chloride from the chemical equilibrium of this latter species impedes the reversibility of the reduction of [L1Cu^IICl]⁺ to [L1Cu^ICl]⁰.