Complexation of amino acids derivatives in water by calix[4]arene phosphonic acids

Series of the calix[4]arene phosphonic acids with various substituents at the lower rim was synthesized. Complexing properties of these receptors towards methyl esters of six amino acids strongly depended on the calix[4]arene conformation flexibility. The complex formation processes were monitored using ¹H NMR spectroscopy (deuterated phosphate buffer at pD 7.3, 22 °C) and association constant values were evaluated. Inherently mobile calix[4]arene molecule 3 occurred in cone conformation in aqueous solution turned out to be more effective in complexation of the basic amino acids methyl esters compared to the rigid 2 and flexible 4. Mixed 1:2 and 2:1 (host–guest) complexes were observed for compound 1 with all amino acids methyl esters.     

Novel redox receptors for ion-pair and α-amino acid: synthesis and complexation properties of calix[4]arene derivatives bearing large conjugated ferrocene groups

By reacting calix[4]arene 1,3-bi-hydrazide derivative (2) with formacylferrocene in “1?+?2” condensation mode, novel calix[4]arene derivative bearing two conjugated ferrocene groups (3) was obtained in yield of 88%. By reacting 1,3-bi-substituted [2-(p-formylphenyloxy)ethyloxy]-p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene (5) with 1,1′-diacetylferrocene hydrazone (4) in “1?+?1” condensation mode, novel calix[4]arene derivative with 1,3-substituted large conjugated ferrocene bridge (6) was synthesized in yield of 83%. The structures and conformations of new compounds were confirmed by elemental analyses, IR spectra, ESI-MS, ¹H NMR, etc. The electrochemical cyclic voltammetry experiments revealed that compounds 3 and 6 possessed excellent reversible electrochemical properties. The ¹H NMR titration study showed that compound 6 possessed excellent complexation abilities for NaH₂PO₄ and glycine in 1:1 host–guest complex with the association constants of 3,850 and 2,460?M^?1, respectively.     

A fluorescent probe for fluoride ion based on 2-aminopyridyl-bridged calix[6]arene

An 2-aminopyridyl-bridged calix[6]arene on the upper rim fixed in cone conformation (3) was successfully synthesized and its highly selective recognition towards fluoride ion was proved by fluorescent and ¹H NMR titration experiments.     

Syntheses of novel calix[4]arene hydrazone-based receptors and their cooperative complexation with soft and hard metal ions

Four novel calix[4]arene hydrazone-based receptors 3a?Cd were prepared in yields of 69?C87% by condensating formylated calix[4]arene ester (2) with salicylyl hydrazine, 2,4-dinitrophenyl hydrazine, nicotinyl hydrazine or phenyl thiosemicarhazide, respectively. New compounds were characterized through elemental analysis, IR, ESI?CMS, ¹H NMR studies. Compounds 3a?Cd containing two binding sites had the complexation abilities for hard and soft cations concurrently. The noncompetitive extracting experiments showed compounds 3a?Cd were excellent receptors for hard and soft metal cations. The competitive extracting experiments exhibited the cooperative complexation in binding hard and soft metal cations and compound 3a possessed outstanding selectivity for Na⁺ and Hg²⁺. The IR spectra of compound 3a before and after complexation revealed that the soft metal cation was binded in the cavity composed of hydrazone groups and azo groups at the upper rims of calix[4]arene units and hard metal cations was binded in cavity composed of ester groups and phenolic hydroxyl groups at the lower rims of calix[4]arene units.     

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.     

Metal ions recognition by 1,2,3-triazolium calix[4]arene esters synthesized via click chemistry

Two triazole-modified calix[4]arene diesters were synthesized via Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between azides esters and alkynylcalixarenes. Their structures had been deduced from ¹H NMR, element analysis and ESI-MS. Two-phase extraction experiments indicated that triazole-modified calix[4]arene diethylester 3a exhibited Cs⁺ selectivity.     

Synthesis and characterization of azocalix[4]arene ester and ketone derivatives incorporated in a polymeric backbone with bisphenol-A and their cation-binding properties

This study comprises synthesis and characterization of azocalix[4]arene compounds having copolymeric structures. The novel bisazocalixphenol-A and copolymer containing pendant azocalix[4]arene units with ester (5) and ketone (6) functionalities at their lower rim have been synthesized via diazo-coupling reaction. The phase transfer study is performed by liquid?Cliquid extraction method. It has been deduced from the observations that their precursors 25,26,27-tribenzoyloxy-28-hydroxy-5-(4-aminophenylazo)calix[4] arene (3), 25,27-diacetoniloxy-26,28-dihydroxy-5,17-(4-aminophenylazo)calix[4]arene (4) and bisazocalixphenol-A (5) show a good phase transfer affinity towards selected transition metal cations, unlike copolymer (6). These compounds are studied by the selective extraction of Fe³⁺ cation from the aqueous phase into the organic phase and it is carried out using compounds 1?C6. It is observed that the reduced azocalix[4]arene 4 is the most efficient (82.93?%) carrier of all compounds (3?C6) in the extraction of Fe³⁺ at pH 5.4.     

Synthesis, characterization and electrochemical properties of two new calix[4]arene derivatives bearing two ferrocene imine or ferrocene amine units at the upper rim

A novel calix[4]arene derivative with two ferrocenyl Schiff-base groups at the upper rim 3 has been synthesized from 5,17-diformyl-25,27-dipropoxy-26,28-dihydroxy calix[4]arene and 4-ferrocenylaniline via condensation reaction. Reduction of 3 with sodium borohydride led to calix[4]arene derivative 4 with two amino ferrocenyl groups at the upper rim. The ferrocenyl Schiff-base calix[4]arene and its corresponding reduced amine have been purified and characterized by elemental analysis,¹H NMR, FTIR, Mass and UV-vis spectral data. Electrochemical properties of compounds 3 and 4 have been investigated. Cyclic voltammograms of 3 and 4 show reversible redox couples of ferrocene/ferrocinium at E_1/2=0.401 V and 0.346 V, respectively. Electrochemical studies show these redox active compounds electrochemically recognize trivalent lanthanides La³⁺ and Ce³⁺ and divalent Pb²⁺ and Cu²⁺cations. With ferrocenyl Schiff-base calix[4]arene 3 an anodic shift as large as 130 mV is observed on addition of one equivalent of Ce³⁺ ion. Also extraction properties of compound 4 towards some metal cations have been described. It has been observed that compound 4 has a good selectivity for metal cations Fe³⁺, Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ against Ni²⁺ and Co²⁺.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic studies of isosteviol-calix[4]arene and -calix[6]arene conjugates

Novel calix[4]arene derivatives functionalized with two or four isosteviol units at the upper rim and a new calix[6]arene having six isosteviol moieties at the lower rim have been synthesized. The structures of these compounds have been confirmed by NMR and mass spectrometry data. All ¹H and ¹³C NMR chemical shifts of isosteviol were fully assigned by extensive NMR spectroscopic methods, and used to clarify the structures and conformations of isosteviol-calixarene conjugates.     

Synthesis, structure and property of three divalent metal complexes of the piperidinoacetyl-containing calix[4]arene

Three new mononuclear complexes [Cd(L)](ClO₄)₂·4(MeCN) (1) (L?=?5,11,17,23-tetra-t-butyl-25,26,27,28-tetrakis(piperidinocarbonylmethoxy)calix[4]arene), [Zn(L)](ClO₄)₂·4(MeCN)·CH₂Cl₂ (2), [Cu(L)](ClO₄)₂·3(MeCN)·Et₂O (3) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and X-ray single crystal diffraction (CCDC: 838342, 838343 and 838344). The results of the crystal structural analyses show that calix[4]arene backbones in 1, 2, 3 are fixed in the cone conformation while the divalent metal cations (Cd, Zn and Cu) are coordinated with the discrepant geometry. The cadmium ion in 1 is eight-coordinated with four carbonyl oxygen atoms and four ethereal oxygen atoms in the low rim of calix[4]arene, whereas zinc ion in 2 and copper ion in 1 are four-coordinated with the acyl oxygen atoms. The atomic net charges distribution and frontier molecular orbital energies were obtained by Gaussian 98 program with DFT method at B3LYP/lanl2dz level. Furthermore, the SOD-like activities of 3 were measured by xanthine/xanthine oxidase-NBT assay at pH 7.2 and 7.8.     

Synthesis and extraction abilities of mono-formylated calix[4]-1,3-aza-crown and its hydrazone derivatives

By formylation of calix[4]-1,3-aza-crown in hexamethylenetetramine/trifluoroacetic acid system, the first formylated calix[4]-aza-crown derivative 6 was synthesized in yield of 61%. Reacting compound 6 with salicyloyl hydrazine, 2,4-dinitrophenyl hydrazine, nicotinyl hydrazine or phenyl thiosemicarbazide afforded four novel calix[4]crown hydrazone derivatives 7a–d in yields of 70–90%. By condensating compound 6 with series of bifunctional reagents, the novel mono-bridged biscalix[4]-aza-crown hydrazone derivatives 8a–c were prepared in high yields. The extraction experiments showed that all new compounds were good receptors for metal cations, especially, for soft metal cations. The extraction results suggested that the hydrazone groups produced favorable influences for binding soft cations. The two calix[4]arene units in compounds 8a–c could bind metal cations concurrently.     

Synthesis of calix[4]arene(amido)monocrowns and their photoresponsive derivatives

A series of new calix[4]arene(amido)mono-crown compounds have been synthesized through aminolysis of calix[4]arene esters and intramolecular cyclization of the intermediates. The title compounds were converted into their nitro and azo substituted derivatives to provide novel photoresponsive molecular receptors for transition metal ions. Single crystal X-ray analysis of calix[4]arene(ethyleneamido)mono-crown (2a) revealed that the compound is present in a cone conformation with an amido loop that caps the lower rim of calix[4]arene cavity to result in stacking along axis a and axis c to provide supramolecular aggregates in the solid state. Evaluation of synthesized macrocycles in the solution phase for recognition of transition metal cations (Cr³⁺, Fe²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ag⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, Hg⁺, Hg²⁺, Pd²⁺, and Pt²⁺) by UV-visible spectroscopy revealed that p-tert-butyl-calix[4]arene mono-(amidocrown) 1c selectively shows a blue shift at 38 nm on interaction with Hg⁺ ions.     

Anion receptors based on ureido-substituted thiacalix[4]arenes and calix[4]arenes

The regioselective nitration of 25,27-dipropoxythiacalix[4]arene was carried out as a key step in the synthesis of thiacalix[4]arene derivative bearing two arylureido functions on the upper rim. The preorganisation of ureido units using the thiacalix[4]arene/calix[4]arene moieties as a molecular scaffold gave novel anion receptors. These compounds, albeit based on hydrogen bonding interactions, show good complexation ability even in highly HB-competitive solvent, such as DMSO. Direct comparison of otherwise identical structures 6a and 7a revealed remarkable dominance of the thiacalix[4]arene derivative over its classical analogue in anion binding.     

Synthesis of novel chiral Schiff base and amino alcohol derivatives of calix[4]arene and chiral recognition properties

In the present study, the synthesis and liquid phase extraction properties towards some amino acid methylesters and amino alcohols of Schiff base and amino alcohol substituted calix[4]arene are reported. The Schiff base substituted calix[4]arene 5 has been synthesized via condensation reaction involving 5,17-diformyl-11,23-di-tert-butyl-25,27-di[3-(4-formylphenoxy)propoxy]-26,28 dihydroxycalix[4]arene 4 and (R)-(?)-2-phenylglycine methyl ester in CHCl₃:MeOH. To give the amino alcohol substituted calix[4]arene 6, the synthesized chiral compound 5 was reduced by LiAlH₄. The new chiral Schiff base and amino alcohol derivatives of calix[4]arene have been characterized by a combination of FT-IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, FAB-MS and elemental analysis. Also, the extraction behaviors of 5 and 6 towards some selected amino acid methylesters and amino alcohols have been studied by liquid–liquid extraction.     

Calix[4]azacrowns as ionophores for liquid?Cliquid extraction and facilitated transport of biological supramolecular complexes

The native and methyl ester amino acids have been extracted by calix[4]azacrowns 1 (1,3-[ethylene-bis-aminocarbonylmethoxy)]-p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene) and 2 (1,3-[propylene-bis-aminocarbonylmethoxy)]-p-tert-butyl-calix[4]arene) from an aqueous phase into a chloroform phase and transported through a chloroform liquid membrane as ion pairs in the presence of picrate or tropaeolin 00 as counter ions aiming their separation. The amino acids under study exhibited good extractability by calix[4]azacrowns 1 and 2. Both receptors 1 and 2 showed good extractability towards amino acids under study. The results are discussed in term of correlation of structural properties of amino acids and calix[4]azacrowns involved in experiments. In this respect, the influence of chain length of receptors upon extraction and transport of amino acids, and the nature of anions used as counter ions are evaluated.     

Syntheses and extraction properties of novel biscalixarene and thiacalix[4]arene hydrazone derivatives

By reacting thiacalix[4]arene with p-tosyloxyethoxylbenzaldehyde 1, 3-bis(benzaldehyde-4-oxyethyloxy)-p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene (2) were prepared in yield of 65%. Refluxing compound 2 with aniline, salicylic hydrazide, nicotinic hydrazide and isonicotinic hydrazide, novel ringopening 1,3-bis-arylformyl-hydrazone substituted thiacalix[4]arene derivatives (3a–3d) were obtained in yields of 77–89%. Refluxing compound 2 with o-phenylendiamine, oxalyl dihydrazide, malonic dihydrazide and adipic dihydrazide in “1 + 1” intermolecular condensation mode under diluted condition, novel 1,3-bis-acyl hydrazone-bridged calix[4]arene derivatives (4a–4d) were prepared in good yields. Moreover, by condensating compound 2 with 1,3-bis(hydrazinocarbonyl-methoxy)-p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene (5), the first example of hydrazone-bridged biscalixarene (6) with calix[4]arene and thiacalix[4]arene subunits was facilely synthesized in yield of 90%. The noncompetitive and competitive extracting experiments showed that these novel hosts were good receptors for both metal cations and α-amino acids. Compounds 3a–3d and 4a–4d showed similar binding properties with high extraction percentage but low extracting selectivities. Biscalixarene 6 exhibited not only high extracting abilities but also good extracting selectivities.     

Sulphur-enriched thiacalix[4]arenes in the cone conformation: synthesis, crystal structures and cation binding properties

The synthesis and crystal structure of p-tert-butylthia- and p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene derivatives 1–7 substituted at the narrow rim by diethylthiophosphate ester groups, -PS(OEt)₂ are reported. In these compounds the phosphorus atoms are directly attached to the phenolic O atoms of the calix units and the S atoms of the thiophosphate may serve as a two-electron donor to a metal ion. Their crystal structures were solved, which revealed their cone conformation. Their cation-binding properties have been established by liquid-liquid extraction of metal picrates from water into dichloromethane and stability constant determination in acetonitrile using UV-absorption spectrophotometry. Quantitative extraction was achieved for Ag⁺ (%E = 99) with the tetra-substituted thiacalix[4]arene derivative. The complexes were found to be of 1:1 stoichiometry and the location of the metal cations was shown to be nearby the sulphur atoms by ¹H NMR.     

Click synthesis of triazole-linked calix[4]arene ionophores. Potentiometric and ESI-MS screening of ion-selectivity

A series of 1,2,3-triazole-linked calix[4]arene ionophores comprised of different O-donor groups (OH, COOEt, CONEt₂) attached either to the lower rim of calix or to the triazole moieties were synthesized to explore their ion-selectivity for the first time in potentiometric transduction. Plasticized PVC membrane electrodes (ISEs) were fabricated, and their potentiometric selectivities were measured toward a series of mono- and divalent metal ions. Structure-ion-selectivity relationship and the structural requirements of the coordination sphere for selective binding were established. ISEs made of calix[4]arene-bis-triazoles were found generally to exhibit distinct Ag⁺ selectivity in the order 3 ≈ 4 > 2 > 1, indicating the beneficial effect of the carboxamide or ester groups in the complexing site. In contrast, calix[4]arene-tetratriazole 5 comprised only sp ² N-donor atoms displayed excellent Cu²⁺ selectivity over a series of alkali-, alkaline earth- and transition metal ions. A unique feature of the outstanding Ag⁺ selective electrodes made of 3 and 4 was recognized and suggested their potential application as Na⁺ ISEs in systems not containing silver ions. Further, the potential use of competitive ESI-MS experiments for screening the binding affinities of ionophores 3–6 to different metal ions was also demonstrated.     

Synthesis and characterization of three novel azocalix[4]arene Schiff base derivatives and their selective copper extraction

The synthesis and characterization of three novel Schiff bases of azocalix[4]arene and their selective copper extraction are described. The preparation of azocalix[4]arenes (1c, 2c and 3c) has been achieved by the condensation of 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde with the amine group of upper rim mono-, di- and tetra-(aminophenylazo) calix[4]arene in ethanol. The synthesized products (1c, 2c and 3c) are characterized by both ¹H and ¹³C NMR techniques, IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Extraction capabilities of interested derivatives of azocalix[4]arene from aqueous phase into organic phase are also examined. While extraction of Ag⁺, Hg⁺ and Hg²⁺ cations gave strong complexes with azo groups, extraction of Cu²⁺ cation is found to be highly effective with ?CCH=N?C and neighboring ?COH groups.     

Synthesis of novel p-tert-butyl-calix[4]arene derivatives and their cation binding ability: chromogenic effect upon side arms binding

A series of novel double-armed calix[4]arene derivatives, i.e. 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl -25,27-bis[2-[(2-hydroxy-5-(4-nitroazo)benzylidene)amino]ethoxy]-26,28-dihydroxy-calix[4]-arene (4), 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25,27-bis[2-[(2-hydroxy-5-(2-nitroazo)benzylidene) amino]ethoxy]-26,28-dihydroxycalix[4]arene (5), 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25,27-bis[2-[(2-hydroxy-5-(4-chloroazo)benzylidene)amino]ethoxy]-26,28-dihydroxycalix[4]arene (6), have been synthesized as an selective chromoionophore for Na⁺. The complexation behavior of ligands 4-6 with alkali metal ions Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺and Cs⁺ has been evaluated by using UV-Vis spectrometry in CH₃CN-H₂O (99:1/V:V) solution at 25°C. The UV-Vis spectra show that the complexation of 4-6 with Na⁺exhibits obvious bathochromic shifts (λ_max 379→480 nm) and there is a unique color change in the solution from yellow to red upon complexation. The binding constants for Na⁺ are higher than that of other alkali metal ions, giving the highest cation selectivity up to 7 for Na⁺/K⁺. The binding ability and photophysical behavior of alkali cations by calix[4]arene derivatives 4-6 are discussed from the point of view of substituted effects at the lower rim of parent calix[4]arene and size-fit concept between host calix[4]arenes and guest cations.