A new fluorescent double-cavity calix[4]arene: synthesis and complexation studies toward nitroanilines

A novel bicyclic calix[4]arene (4) molecular receptor has been synthesized, and its sensory abilities toward noxious aromatic nitroamines evaluated in apolar media. Molecular host–guest interactions examined through fluorescence and ¹H NMR spectroscopies showed the formation of 1:1 type endo-inclusion complexes with all the nitroaniline guests. The potential of 4 as a chemical sensor is established.     

Two bis(p-phenylene)-34-crown-10-based cryptand constitutional isomers: different binding abilities induced by structural alterations

Two novel bis(p-phenylene)-34-crown-10-based cryptand constitutional isomers were prepared and their host–guest complexations with paraquat were studied by ESI-MS, UV–vis spectroscopy, ¹H NMR spectra, and X-ray crystal structures. Notably, though the only difference between the two hosts is the location of the nitrogen atom on the third arms, they exhibited quite different binding abilities with paraquat. Competitive complexation was carried out and it may provide a simple way to construct sophisticated supramolecular materials with reversibility and adaptability.     

Two protocols for the preparation of [2]rotaxanes based on the dibenzo-24-crown-8-based cryptand/paraquat recognition motif

Host–guest complexation between a dibenzo-24-crown-8-based cryptand and a paraquat derivative was studied. Subsequently, two novel [2]rotaxanes based on the dibenzo-24-crown-8-based cryptand/paraquat recognition motif were prepared by threading-followed-by-stoppering method and single-pot method, respectively. The obtained mechanically interlocked structures were confirmed by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, 2D NMR, and ESI-MS.     

Synthesis,characterization and metal ion complexation and extraction capabilities of calix[4]arene Schiff base compounds

The syntheses, characterization and metal ion complexation and extraction capabilities of six new calix[4]arene Schiff base compounds, 5–10, are reported. The preparation of the compounds was achieved by the condensation of 5,17-diamino-11,23-di-tert-butyl-25,27-di-n-butoxy-26,28-dihydroxycalix[4]arene with the appropriate aldehyde (5-bromosalicylaldehyde for 5, 4-anisaldehyde for 6, 4-(dimethylamino)benzaldehyde for 7, 9-anthracenecarboxaldehyde for 8, 1-pyrenecarboxaldehyde for 9, and 9-fluorenecarboxaldehyde for 10) in refluxing ethanol. The compounds were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, high-resolution mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. The X-ray crystal structures of 7, 8 and 9 (as dichloromethane solvates) revealed that the calixarene molecules adopt H-bond stabilized, distorted-cone conformations and form centrosymmetric dimers in the solid state. Compounds 5–10 did not form host–guest complexes with NEt₄[(bdt)MoO₂(OSiPh₃)] (bdt^2–=benzene-1,2-dithiolate), a potential precursor for biologically relevant oxosulfido-Mo(VI/V) enzyme models; such host–guest complexes have the potential to stabilize these sought-after but highly reactive model compounds. In addition, the capabilities of 5–10 to extract selected metal ions (Ni²⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ag⁺, Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Hg²⁺) from an aqueous into an organic phase have been assessed by picrate extraction experiments. Compound 5 displayed exceptional selectivity towards Ni²⁺, compound 7 exhibited enhanced extraction towards all of the metal ions tested and compounds 6, 9 and 10 showed very high selectivity towards Hg²⁺. On the other hand, compound 8 exhibited negligible capacity to extract any of the metal ions tested.     

Novel chiral solvating agents derived from natural amino acid: enantiodiscrimination for chiral α-arylalkylamines

Two benzo[de]isoquinoline 1,3-dione amino acids 1 and 2 were readily prepared, and their enantiodiscriminating ability were investigated by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. It was found that 1 exhibited an excellent chiral recognition ability toward chiral α-phenylethylamine and some of its derivatives, leading to clear baseline separation of the multiplet of the probe groups in two enantiomers. The stoichiometric ratio and association constants of some host-guest complexes were determined. The interactions between the hosts and guest 3 were further studied by intermolecular NOE experiment and ESI-MS.     

Novel C1-symmetric chiral crown ethers bearing rosin acids groups: synthesis and enantiomeric recognition for ammonium salts

Four types of novel C₁-symmetric chiral crown ethers including 28-crown-8, 20-crown-6, 17-crown-5 and 14-crown-3 (9a–m) were synthesized and their enantiodiscriminating abilities with protonated primary amines (10–14) were examined by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. 20-crown-6 crown ethers exhibited good chiral recognition properties toward these guests and showed different complementarity to some chiral guests, indicating that 20-crown-6 crown ethers could be used as a chiral NMR solvating agent to determine the enantiopurity of these guests. In addition, the binding model and binding site between the hosts and guests were also studied by the computational modeling and experimental calculation.     

Synthesis of a deep cavity calix[4]arene by fourfold Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction and selective fluorescent recognition toward p-nitrophenol

A new tetranaphthyl-calix[4]arene (C4N4) was synthesized by a fourfold Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction, and exhibited high affinity and selectivity for p-nitrophenol (3c) by fluorescence spectroscopy. The NMR, AFM, IR, MALDI-TOF mass spectroscopy, and computational calculations revealed the formation of a host–guest complex driven by π–π stacking interactions.     

Threaded structures based on the recognition of 1,5-dinaphtho-crown ethers to paraquat and vinylogous viologen derivatives: host–guest complexations,X-ray crystal structures,and self-assembly superstructures

Host–guest complexation between two 1,5-dinaphtho-crown ethers and two paraquat derivatives has been studied. By self-assembly of 1,5-dinaphtho-44-crown-12 (DNP44C12) 1 with vinylogous viologen 4, a linear [2]pseudorotaxane array forms in the solid state by PF₆⁻ anion linkages. Moreover, the complexation between 1,5-dinaphtho-50-crown-14 (DNP50C14) 2 and paraquat 3 also leads to the formation of a linear [2]pseudorotaxane superstructure in the solid state driven by π–π stacking.     

The Re(I) coordination chemistry of a series of pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazine-derived ligands: Syntheses,characterisation and crystal structures

Reaction of 2,3-diaminopyridine with one equivalent of a functionalised vicinal diketone, in ethanol, yields a series of ligands based upon the pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazine core. The ligands were characterised by ¹H, ¹³C–{¹H} NMR, MS and UV–Vis spectroscopy. Reaction of the ligands with one equivalent of {ReBr(CO)₅} gave a series of Re-Lⁿ complexes based upon the general formula fac-{ReBr(CO)₃(L)} (where L = pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazine-derived ligands, L¹–L⁶). Solution IR studies confirmed the retention of the facially capped, tri-carbonyl coordination geometry at rhenium, and ¹H NMR studies confirmed coordination of the ligand to Re(I). EI HR MS data were obtained for each complex confirming the proposed formulation and stoichiometry. Single crystal X-ray structures were obtained for three of the complexes (Re-L¹, Re-L², Re-L⁶), with each demonstrating that the ligands coordinate to Re(I) in a bidentate manner, via a four-membered chelate ring, which was unsymmetrical in the former two cases. The electronic absorption spectra of the complexes showed absorption into the visible region ca. 375–500 nm, (the complexes are orange-red in appearance). Following irradiation at 350–450 nm, the complexes display a solid-state broad emission peaking between 600–700 nm. The complexes were not sufficiently luminescent in solution to allow further investigation into the origin of this emission band, although with reference to related 1,8-naphthyridine complexes of Re(I) it is likely to incorporate significant ³MLCT character.     

A sinapic acid–calix[4]arene hybrid selectively binds Pb over Hg and Cd

The binding affinity for Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Hg²⁺ of the sinapic acid–calix[4]arene hybrid 2, having four sinapyl pendants at the upper rim, has been investigated via an UV–Vis study. Compound 2 has better complexing ability than the monomeric p-phenetidine derivative 1. This highlights that the clustering of sinapyl units in a basket-like structure, dictated by the calixarene scaffold, greatly enhances the complexing properties. Ligand 2 forms complexes even with Hg²⁺, which is not complexed by 1 at all; the complexes formed by 2 with Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ are much stronger than the analogous complexes formed by 1. The UV–Vis investigation shows that the hybrid 2 markedly favors Pb²⁺ over Cd²⁺ and Hg²⁺. Information on the structural properties of the complex species was obtained by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. NMR data show that all three metal ions are placed into the cavity consisting of the calixarene scaffold and the sinapyl pendants, though their binding affects the coordinating regions to a different extent.     

An investigation of the complexation of a TTF derivative with α-, β- and γ-cyclodextrins in aqueous media

This Letter, describes the complexation of α-, β- and γ-cyclodextrins (1-3) with TTF derivative 4 in water. In particular, we show using ¹H, ¹³C NMR, UV-vis spectroscopy and isothermal titration calorimetry that β-cyclodextrin 2 forms an effective complex with 4. Complex 2·4 can be conveniently disassembled upon the addition of 1-adamantanol.     

Functionalized calix[4]arene as an ionophore: Synthesis,crystal structures and complexation study with Na and K ions

Calix[4]arenes with substituents at three of the four OH groups of the lower rim have been synthesized to investigate their properties as ionophores for Na⁺ and K⁺ metal ions. Crystal structures of these trisubstituted compounds revealed that the calixarene moiety has adopted a partial cone conformation, however the precise shape of the molecule, and intra- and intermolecular interactions, are significantly different due to variations of the substituents. Compound L² encapsulated an acetonitrile molecule in the cavity of the calix moiety, held by C–H?π interactions. In the case of L³, the 2-(2-chloroethoxy)-ethanol substituent is involved in strong intramolecular C–H?π interactions with the centroid of the phenyl rings of the calix, bringing the 2-(2-chloroethoxy)-ethanol moiety inward the calix cone, which prevented the entry of any solvent molecule into the cavity. The complexation properties of L²–L⁴ with Na⁺ and K⁺ ions have been investigated in chloroform–methanol mixture by ¹H NMR and an attempt has been made to isolate these complexes in the solid state. Complexation studies reveal that only L³ forms a complex selectively with K⁺, involving 2-(2-chloroethoxy)-ethanol as a coordinating moiety. The association constant (1.4 × 10⁵ M⁻¹) of the complex has also been determined.     

Effect of size of metal ion on MS4N2 chromophore: Synthesis,spectral and single crystal X-ray structural studies on (2,2′-bipyridine)bis(N-cyclohexyl-N-methyldithiocarbamato)M(II) (M = zinc,cadmium)

Isomorphous complexes [Zn(S₂CN(Me)Cy)₂(bipy)] (1) and [Cd(S₂CN(Me)Cy)₂(bipy)] (2) (where Cy(Me)NCS₂⁻ = N-cyclohexyl-N-methyldithiocarbamate anion and bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine) have been synthesised. Their structures and spectroscopic properties have been studied by IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray analysis. IR spectrum of the complexes show the contribution of thioureide form to the structures. ¹H NMR spectra of the complexes showed the desheilding of methyl protons and H-1 of cyclohexyl group on complexation. The downfield shift of N¹³CS₂, methyl carbon and C-1 of cyclohexyl group carbon signals for 2 (205.5, 36.7 and 64.4 ppm) from the chemical shift value of 1 (204.2, 35.6 and 63.1 ppm) is attributed to the movement of more electron density from dithiocarbamate towards cadmium. Single crystal X-ray structures of 1 and 2 indicate that the central metal atom is in a distorted octahedral environment for both complexes. The presence of added 2,2′-bipyridine ligand in the coordination sphere of M(S₂CN(Me)Cy)₂ increases Zn–S distances and decreases S–Zn–S angles in 1 and slightly increases Cd–S distances in 2. S–Cd–S angles are not affected. This is due to the relatively larger size of the cadmium ion compared to zinc ion which alleviates the strain involved in transformation from tetrahedral to octahedral.     

Supramolecular complexes obtained from porphyrin-crown ether conjugates and a fullerene derivative bearing an ammonium unit

A methanofullerene derivative with an ammonium subunit (1) has been prepared and its ability to form a supramolecular complex with a porphyrin-crown ether conjugate evidenced by NMR, UV-vis, electrospray mass spectrometry (ES-MS) and luminescence experiments. Interestingly, in addition to the ammonium-crown ether recognition, intramolecular stacking of the fullerene moiety and the porphyrin subunit has been evidenced. Due to this additional recognition element, the association constant for the supramolecular complex is increased by two orders of magnitude when compared to the K_a values found for the complexation of 1 with benzo-18-crown-6. Finally, non-covalent systems resulting from the association of cation 1 with porphyrin derivatives bearing two crown ether subunits have been investigated. Intramolecular C₆₀-porphyrin interactions have also been evidenced within these supramolecular complexes. As a result, the 2:1 complexes are very stable as shown by the ES-MS studies.     

Thiacalix[4]arene-alkali metal assemblies: crystal structures and guest-binding capabilities of supramolecular architectures supported by metal coordination and cation-π interactions

To investigate alkali metal complexation with sulfur-linked calixarene analogues and their guest-binding properties for gaseous organic guest molecules, we elucidated a crystal structure of a cesium complex with p-H-thiacalix[4]arene (1·4H) ligands and guest-binding properties of the cesium complex (2) and the previously reported rubidium complex (3). In crystals of the complex 2, a ‘sandwich-like’ binuclear complex was formed by inter-molecular coordination of cesium cations to the thiacalixarene molecules and methanol molecules, mutually interacting by aromatic-H?S hydrogen bonding and alkali metal cation-π interactions between the alkali metal cation and thiacalixarene aromatic rings outside of the cavities. On the guest-binding behaviors both complexes 2 and 3 toward organic guest molecules, methanol, ethanol, and 1-propanol as polar molecules, the complex 2 has no methanol adsorption ability, but the complex 3 showed vapor adsorption properties for all guest molecules. In particular, both complexes exhibited a high adsorption capability toward ethanol molecule. As results of gaseous guest adsorption measurements for alcohol molecules, the guest-binding of these complexes are significantly different because the properties depend heavily on structural natures between complexes 2 and 3.     

Synthesis and alkali metal complexation studies of novel cage-functionalized cryptands

The synthesis of novel cage-functionalized cryptands 1–5 containing adamantane-, 2-oxaadamantane- or noradamantane-moiety [i.e., 1,3-diethyladamantano[2.2.0]cryptand (1), 1,3-diethoxyadamantano[2.2.2]cryptand (2), 1,3-di[(ethyloxy)methyl]adamantano[2.2.2]-cryptand (3), 1,3-di[(ethyloxy)methyl]-2-oxaadamantano[2.2.3]cryptand (4), and 1,2-diethyloxynoradamantano[2.2.2]cryptand (5)] and their alkali metal binding properties are reported. The results obtained by extraction experiments showed that all the cryptands displayed lower extraction capabilities than the parent [2.2.2]cryptand. However, cryptands 1 and 2 showed much higher selectivity toward K⁺ than the reference [2.2.2]cryptand. When the third bridge is enlarged by two additional CH₂-groups as well as by two oxygen atoms, as in cryptands 3 and 4, the complexational abilities for bigger cations (K⁺, Rb⁺ and Cs⁺) are enhanced. Cryptand 5 displayed very good extraction capabilities of all cations, but showed practically no selectivity towards any of the alkali metal cation. The experimental findings are corroborated by calculation studies consisting of force field based conformational search using Monte Carlo method followed by investigation of the stabilities of the complexes of cryptands with Na⁺ and K⁺ metal ions in chloroform by means of quantum chemical calculations at the density functional theory level.     

Impact of substituents on the luminescent properties and thermostability of Zn(II) 8-hydroxyquinolinates: insight from experimental and theoretical approach

Four unique 2-arylethenyl-8-hydroxyquinoline ligands (B1–B4) and their corresponding Zn(II) complexes (C1–C4) were synthesized and characterized by ¹H NMR, ESI-MS, FTIR, and elemental analysis. The aggregation behavior of Zinc salt and ligands in solution was investigated by several techniques, including ¹H NMR, UV–vis, and photoluminescence (PL). The electronic nature of arylethenyl substituents affects the absorption wavelength, the emission color, fluorescence lifetime, fluorescence quantum yield, and thermostability of Zn(II) complexes. Luminescent properties of the Zn(II) complexes correspond to the electron-withdrawing/-donating character of the arylethenyl substituents. Photophysical analyses combined with density functional theory (DFT) calculations established that the introduction of strong electron-withdrawing group (CN) decreased the HOMO–LUMO energy gap, and the introduction of electron-donating group (tert-butyl) enlarged the HOMO–LUMO energy gap.     

Highly selective complexation of metal ions by the self-tuning tetraazacalixpyridine macrocycles

By means of UV-vis and ¹H NMR titrations and X-ray crystallography, complexation of tetramethylazacalix[4]pyridine L1 and tetramethylazacalix[2]arene[2]pyridine L2 with metal ions was studied. While no interaction was observed with alkali and alkaline earth metal ions, both ligands have been found to act as powerful and selective macrocyclic hosts to complex a number of transition and heavy metal ions. Due to the intrinsic nature of the bridging nitrogen atoms that can adopt different electronic configurations and form varied degrees of conjugations with their adjacent pyridine rings, tetramethylazacalix[4]pyridine L1 regulated its conformation and cavity structure to best fit the guest metal ion species, yielding a 1:1 square planar L1-Mⁿ⁺ complex with binding constants log K_1:1 ranging from 2.7(1) to 8.2(8).     

Water-soluble aminocalix[4]arene receptors with hydrophobic and hydrophilic mouths

We report the new water-soluble aminocalix[4]arene hosts 1 and 2 with deep hydrophobic cavity facilitating hydrophobic mouth and hydrophilic mouth, respectively. The ¹H NMR titrations revealed that host 1 shows high selectivity for neutral guests 9 and 10, with log K of 4.2 and 4.6, respectively. The host 2 shows log K of 4.9 for binding with guest 15. Moreover, the binding ability of the host 2 for guest 14 is stronger by a factor of 1000 than that of the host 1.     

‘Two-point’-bound supramolecular complexes from semi-rigidified dipyridine receptors and zinc porphyrins

Two linear compounds 1 and 2 have been designed and synthesized as new receptors for zinc porphyrins. Both compounds consist of two folded aromatic amide moieties, which are connected with an acetylene linker in 1 or directly in 2. The rigid conformations of their folded moieties are stabilized by intramolecular tri-centered hydrogen bonding, while the whole molecule adopts a ‘S’- or ‘C’-styled conformation depending on the relative orientation of the two rigid moieties. Two pyridine units are introduced at the ends of 1 and 2 for the complexation of zinc porphyrin guests. Although the ¹H NMR investigation indicated that both compounds can bind two zinc porphyrin guests at high concentrations (≥5 mM) in chloroform, the UV-vis studies revealed that, at low concentration of 1 and 2 (4 μM), both compounds complex one zinc porphyrin guest to form structurally unique ‘two-point’-bound 1:1 complexes. The association constants of the 1:1 complexes have been determined with the UV-vis titration experiments.