Strain-Induced Ring Expansion Reactions of Calix[3]pyrrole-Related Macrocycles

The recent discovery of calix[3]pyrrole, a porphyrinogen-like tripyrrolic macrocycle, has provided an unprecedented strain-induced ring expansion reaction into calix[6]pyrrole. Here, we synthesized calix[n]furan[3-n]pyrrole (n=1∼3) macrocycles to investigate the reaction scope and mechanism of the ring expansion. Single crystal X-ray analysis and theoretical calculations revealed that macrocyclic ring strain increases as the number of inner NH sites increases. While calix[1]furan[2]pyrrole exhibited almost quantitative conversion into calix[2]furan[4]pyrrole within 5 minutes, less-strained calix[2]furan[1]pyrrole and calix[3]furan were inert. However, N-methylation of calix[2]furan[1]pyrrole induced a ring-expansion reaction that enabled the isolation of a linear reaction intermediate. The mechanism analysis revealed that the ring expansion consists of regioselective ring cleavage and subsequent cyclodimerization. This reaction was further utilized for synthesis of calix[6]-type macrocycles.     

Complexation of fullerenes by calix[n]arenes: molecular dynamic simulations and benesi-hildebrandequilibrium constants

MD simulations using a combination of AMI and AMBER are performed to elucidate the origin of complexation between fullerenes and calix[n]arenes (n = 4,6,8). Only calix[6]arenes and calix[8]arenes are suitable for complex formation. By introducing benzyl substitutents on the upper rim of the calixarenes the interaction energy between host and guest is even improved. Analysis of the data also reveals a strong stabilization by t-butyl or benzyl substitutents beside π-π interactions between the arene units of the calixarene and fullerenes. The calculated data perfectly correlate with the experimentally observed equilibrium constants.     

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.     

Synthesis of huge macrocycles using two calix[4]arenes as templates

Macrocycles with up to 100 atoms have been synthesised using two calix[4]arenes as templates: first, (3,5-dialkenyloxy)phenyl groups are attached to the wide rim of a calix[4]arene via urea links, then the alkenyl groups are connected via a metathesis reaction using a tetratosylurea calix[4]arene for their correct prearrangement and finally the urea functions are cleaved to detach the newly formed macrocycles.     

Calix[4]arenes with 1,2- and 1,3-upper rim tetrathiafulvalene bridges

Herein we report the synthesis of several calix[4]arene derivatives with tetrathiafulvalene bridges at the upper rim. Calix[4]arene-tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) conjugates 4a–d, fixed in cone conformation and comprising two smaller 1,2-bridges, were prepared by cyclisation of tetrakis-chloromethylated calix[4]arene 1 with 2,3-dithiolates of TTFs. Larger calix[4]arene-TTF macrocycles 14 and 15, also in cone conformation, contain 1,3-bridges and were synthesised by cyclisation of 2,6- and 2,7-dithiolates of TTFs with bis-bromomethylated calix[4]arene 7. Redox properties of new calix[4]arene-TTF conjugates were characterised using cyclic voltammetry.     

Calix[6]pyrrole and hybrid calix[n]furan[m]pyrroles (n+m=6): syntheses and host-guest chemistry

Calix[6]pyrrole 2 and the "hybrid systems" calix[3]furan[3]pyrrole 12, calix[2]furan[4]pyrrole 13, and calix[1]furan[5]pyrrole 14, have been synthesized by increasing conversion of the furan units present in the readily accessible calix[6]furan 3 to pyrroles. The host-guest chemistry of these novel macrocycles towards a number of anions, including halogen ions, dihydrogen phosphate, hydrogen sulfate, nitrate, and cyanide has been investigated in solution by (1)H NMR titration techniques and/or phase transfer experiments. The solid-state structures of the free receptors 2, 12, and 13, the 1:1 complexes of calix[6]pyrrole 2 with chloride and bromide, and the 1:1 complex of 14 with chloride are also reported.     

Allosterically driven self-assemblies of interlocked calix[6]arene receptors

The construction of self-assembled receptors based on flexible concave subunits is a challenging task and constitutes an interesting approach to mimic binding processes occurring in biological systems. The receptors studied herein are based on flexible calix[6]arene skeletons bearing three (or more) acid-base functionalities at their narrow rim. When complementary, they self-assemble in a tail-to-tail manner to give a diabolo-like complex, provided that each calixarene subunit hosts a guest. The allosterically-driven multi-recognition pattern is highly selective and leads to stable quaternary adducts. In order to evaluate the scope of this system, various polyamino and polyacidic calix[6]arenes have been studied. It is shown that modifications of the nature of the wide rim substituents do not alter the efficiency of the quaternary self-assembling process, even with the more flexible macrocycles that lack tBu substituents. On the contrary, the replacement of the latter by smaller groups led to receptors with broader scope, as larger guests such as tryptamine and dopamine derivatives were stabilized in the cavities. Implementation of extra-functionalities at the narrow rim were revealed also to be of high interest. Indeed, it is shown that secondary interactions take place between the two calix-subunits when they present additional and complementary functions such as carboxylate and ureido moieties. The ureido arms are also capable of binding the counter anion Cl(-) of the ammonium guest, thus leading to a quinternary neutral complex. Such remarkable behavior is due to the versatility of the calix[6]arene platform, which allows the implementation of a high number of functions, leading to multiple non-covalent attractive interactions, whereas the macrocycle remains flexible, thus allowing induced-fit processes to occur.     

Synthesis and conformational study of the first triply bridged calix[6]azatubes

[reaction: see text] The first C(3)(v)- and D(3)(h)-symmetrical triply bridged calix[6]azatubes were prepared in good yields from the known 1,3,5-tris-methylated calix[6]arene through an efficient [1 + 1] macrocyclization reaction. A remarkably regioselective hexa ipso-nitration reaction led to a calix[6]azatube substituted at the wide rim in alternate position by tBu and nitro groups. A (1)H NMR study showed that, whereas the parent bis-calix[6]arenes self-include their methoxy groups, thereby closing their inner tube, the nitro-substituted calix[6]azatube undergoes a conformational change with the expulsion of the methoxy groups, hence presenting a three-dimensional structure open for host-guest applications.     

A stereoselective synthesis of asymmetrically substituted calix[4]arenecarbamates

Calix[4]arenes bearing a methoxy and an R or S α-phenylethylacetamido group at the narrow rim of macrocycles are stereoselectively acylated with 1 equiv of trichloroacetyl isocyanate to give chiral asymmetrically substituted calix[4]arenecarbamates in preparative yields and high diastereomeric excess.     

Tuning the anion binding properties of calixpyrroles by means of p-nitrophenyl substituents at their meso-positions

Extended cavity calix[4]pyrroles and a calix[6]pyrrole were synthesized by cyclization of 5-methyl-5-(4-nitrophenyl)dipyrromethane with acetone in the presence of acid. The solid-state structures of the novel macrocycles were determined by X-ray crystallography. The host-guest chemistry of these receptors towards halide ions was investigated in solution by ¹H NMR titration techniques and compared with those of the meso-octamethylcalix[4]pyrrole and meso-dodecamethylcalix[6]pyrrole. The binding of chloride anions was observed to occur with different affinities on the two faces of the novel calix[6]pyrrole derivative described here.     

Missing-link macrocycles: hybrid heterocalixarene analogues formed from several different building blocks

The synthesis and structural characterization of hybrid heterocalix[4]arene analogues containing pyrrole, benzene, methoxy-substituted benzene, and pyridine subunits is described. Macrocycles 1 and 2, examples of calix[2]benzene[2]pyrrole and calix[1]benzene[3]pyrrole systems, respectively, are synthesized by the condensation of pyrrole and an appropriate phenylbis(carbinol). Macrocycles 3 and 7, examples of calix[2]benzene[1]pyridine[1]pyrrole and calix[1]pyridine[3]pyrrole, respectively, are synthesized by the use of a carbene-based pyrrole-to-pyridine ring-expansion procedure. Single-crystal X-ray analysis reveals that compounds 1a, 1b, and 2b adopt 1,3-alternate conformations in the solid state, whereas compounds 3 and 7 display structures that are best described as "flattened partial cones" in terms of their conformation. (Series a refers to pure benzene-derived systems, whereas series b indicates macrocycles containing 5-methoxyphenyl subunits). In the solid state, the methoxy-functionalized macrocycles 1b and 2b, and the chloropyridine-containing macrocycle 7 exist as dimers. In the case of 1a and 7, these compounds interact with neutral solvent in the solid state. The conformations of the macrocycles in solution were explored by temperature-dependent proton NMR and NOESY spectral analysis. At 188 K, macrocycles 1a and 2a adopt flattened 1,3-alternate conformations, whereas macrocycles 3 and 7 exist in the form of flattened partial-cone conformations. Standard proton NMR titration analyses were carried out in the case of macrocycles 1a and 2a, and reveal that at least the second of these systems is capable of binding fluoride and chloride anions in CD(2)Cl(2) solution at room temperature (K(a)=571 and 17M(-1) in the case of 2a and F(-) and Cl(-), respectively).     

Calixarenes as ligands for transition-metal catalysts: a bis(calix[4]arene-11,23-dicarboxylato) dirhodium complex

A novel dirhodium tetracarboxylate complex is described in which two calix[4]arene macrocycles, bridged at the upper rim by a Rh-Rh unit, serve as ligands and whose solid-state structure shows an unusual coordination of a toluene molecule in the axial position at each rhodium atom.     

Synthesis of Novel Macrocyclic Ligands Containing Phosphoryl and Aminoacetal Fragments

Abstract

A method for the synthesis of novel phosphorylated aminoacetals was developed. The latter are involved in Mannich reaction as amine component with calix[4]resorcinol and formaldehyde to form tetrasubstituted macrocycles containing four acetal groups and four phosphonate (phosphine oxide) fragments on the “upper” rim of molecule with high yields.     

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.     

The associations of macrocyclic ethers with cations in 1,4-dioxane/water mixtures; potentiometric Na+ and K+ binding measurements and computational study

This paper deals with the study of different degrees of association constants of Na⁺ and K⁺ ions with macrocycles of [12]crown-4, [15]crown-5, [18]crown-6, and Diaza[18]crown-6 in (1:1)dioxane/water mixture using the sodium and potassium ion selective electrodes (ISE). The gas phase molecular mechanical and quantum chemical calculations of [18]crown-6 and diaza[18]crown-6 were performed at MM+, AM1, MINDO/3, HF/6-31G(d), and B3LYP/6-31G(d) levels with the help of Gaussian03 program. Conformational abilities were compared with the ion binding results of ISE measurements. The results were also discussed in terms of oxygen charges and enthalpy stabilized association mechanism.     

Synthesis of derivatives of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene containing on lower rim fragments of 2-aminoalkylbenzimidazoles

Reactions of calix[4]arene carboxymethoxy derivatives with 2-aminoalkylbenzimidazoles in the presence of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and hydroxybenzotriazole afforded a series of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene derivatives containing on the lower rim N-(2-benzimidazolylalkyl)carbamoylmethoxy fragments. The reaction carried out in the absence of hydroxybenzOtriazole resulted in macrocycles containing one N-(2-benzimidazolylalkyl)carbamoyl fragment and a fragment of N-(acyl)dicyclohexylisourea.     

上端含长链烷基的手性杯[4]芳烃合成

脱叔丁基的杯[4]芳烃与长链的叔醇或者叔氯代烷烃进行傅-克反应, 在其上端引入长链烷基. 然后在下端引入光学活性的1-苯基乙胺基团, 得到了一系列上端含长链烷基的手性杯[4]芳烃.     

Selectivity of bis(calix[4]diquinone) ionophores towards metal ions in solvent dimethylsulfoxide: a molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics study

Molecular modelling studies have been carried out on two bis(calix[4]diquinone) ionophores, each created from two (calix[4]diquinone)arenes bridged at their bottom rims via alkyl chains (CH(2))(n), 1: n = 3, 2; n = 4, in order to understand the reported selectivity of these ligands towards different sized metal ions such as Na(+), K(+), Rb(+), and Cs(+) in dmso solution. Conformational analyses have been carried out which show that in the lowest energy conformations of the two macrocycles, the individual calix[4]diquinones exhibit a combination of partial cone, 1,3-alternate and cone conformations. The interactions of these alkali metals with the macrocycles have been studied in the gas phase and in a periodic box of solvent dmso by molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics calculations. Molecular mechanics calculations have been carried out on the mode of entry of the ions into the macrocycles and suggest that this is likely to occur from the side of the central cavity, rather than through the main axis of the calix[4]diquinones. There are energy barriers of ca. 19 kcal mol(-1) for this entry path in the gas phase, but in solution no energy barrier is found. Molecular dynamics simulations show that in both 1 and 2, though particularly in the latter macrocycle, one or two solvent molecules are bonded to the metal throughout the course of the simulation, often to the exclusion of one or more of the ether oxygen atoms. By contrast the carbonyl oxygen atoms remain bonded to the metal atoms throughout with bond lengths that remain significantly less than those to the ether oxygen atoms. Free energy perturbation studies have been carried out in dmso and indicate that for 1, the selectivity follows the order Rb(+) approximately K(+) > Cs(+) > Na(+), which is partially in agreement with the experimental results. The energy differences are small and indeed the ratio between stability constants found for Cs(+) and K(+) complexes is only 0.60, showing that has only a slight preference for K(+). For the larger receptor , which is better suited to metal complexation, the binding affinity follows the pattern Cs(+) > Rb(+) > K(+) > Na(+), with energy differences of 5.75, 2.61, 2.78 kcal mol(-1) which is perfectly consistent with experimental results.     

Calix[4]arenequinazolinones. Synthesis and structure

The synthesis of calix[4]arenes bearing two quinazolin-4-ones group at the upper rim is decribed. ¹H NMR spectra and quantum chemical calculations make it possible to suggest that calix[4]arenequinazolinones form three rotamers in solutions at room temperature, due to the restricted rotation of the quinazolinone fragments. The X-ray structure investigation indicates that quinazolin-4-onecalix[4]arene exists in the crystal state as the methanol 1:1 inclusion complex.     

Selective hetero-trisfunctionalization of the large rim of a biomimetic calix[6]arene using host-guest chemistry as a synthetic tool

A calix[6]arene has been selectively functionalized by three different groups at the large rim. The strategy relies on the hostguest recognition chemistry of a biomimetic metal complex at the small rim (so-called "funnel complex") and the Huisgen cycloaddition. The intramolecular thermal reaction proceeds with a high efficiency, chemio- and regioselectivity, allowing the monofunctionalization of one aromatic unit among three. Thanks to the high yield and selectivity of the reaction, it can be applied successively twice on the same compound, which opens the route for inherently chiral calix[6]arenes. This methodology not only is of wide potential for obtaining and exploiting calix[6]arenes that are dissymmetrized at the large rim, but also stands as an exemplary strategy for the selective appending of a functional group on a host platform.