Pentapyrrolic calix[4]pyrrole

A new calix[4]pyrrole has been synthesised that contains a 3,4,5-trisbromopyrrole appended to a meso-position which shows enhanced anion affinity as compared to the parent meso-octamethylcalix[4]pyrrole macrocycle.     

Cyclo[2]carbazole[2]pyrrole: a preorganized calix[4]pyrrole analogue

A cyclo[2]carbazole[2]pyrrole (2) consisting of two carbazoles and two pyrroles has been synthesized by directly linking the carbazole 1- and 8-carbon atoms to the pyrrole α-carbon atoms. Macrocycle 2 is an extensively conjugated 16-membered macrocyclic ring that is fixed in a pseudo-1,3-alternate conformation. This provides a preorganized anion binding site consisting of two pyrrole subunits. ¹H NMR spectroscopic analysis revealed that only the two diagonally opposed pyrrole NH protons, as opposed to the carbazole protons, take part in anion binding. Nevertheless, cyclo[2]carbazole[2]pyrrole 2 binds representative anions with higher affinity in CD₂Cl₂ than calix[4]pyrrole (1), a well-studied non-conjugated tetrapyrrole macrocycle that binds anions via four pyrrolic NH hydrogen bond interactions. On the basis of computational studies, the higher chloride anion affinity of receptor 2 relative to 1 is rationalized in terms of a larger binding energy and a lower host strain energy associated with anion complexation. In the presence of excess fluoride or bicarbonate anions, compound 2 loses two pyrrolic NH protons to produce a stable dianionic macrocycle [2–2H]²⁻ displaying a quenched fluorescence.

Less is more: two NH hydrogen bond donors in a preorganized receptor provide greater anion affinity than the four NH moieties present in the classic anion receptor, calix[4]pyrrole.     

meso-Indanyl calix[4]pyrrole receptors

Two new meso-indanyl-substituted calix[4]pyrrole receptors, 2 and 3, have been synthesized. A range of calix[4]pyrrole host-neutral molecule complexes crystallise from solutions of 2 in a variety of solvents and the structures of four have been elucidated by X-ray crystallography. The F⁻ and Cl⁻ anion affinities of 2 have been measured in acetonitrile, and are significantly different from the corresponding affinities of the prototypical calix[4]pyrrole, the octamethyl-derivative, 1. ESI-FTICR-MS has been used to determine the relative F⁻ and Cl⁻ anion affinities of receptors 1 and 2 in methanol-acetonitrile solution. Deprotonation of 1 and 2 by fluoride is observed (under the conditions of the MS experiment).     

Zirconium complexes in homogeneous ethylene polymerization

This article reviews the recent progress of zirconium complexes for ethylene polymerization. Zirconium complexes are one of the most important types of catalysts for homogeneous ethylene polymerization. Polymerization behavior and polymer structure can be adjusted through the balancing of ligand structure. We surveyed the zirconium complexes synthesized from 2006 to early 2009 and summarize their comparative catalytic activities. Generally, the main factor observed is the steric bulk which on increasing reduces the catalytic activity. Electron count, electronic cloud, and inductive effect also influence the catalytic activity.     

Efficient organocatalysis with a calix[4]pyrrole derivative

The 10α,20β-bis(4-nitrophenyl)-calix[4]pyrrole was found to act as an effective organocatalyst for the hetero Diels-Alder reaction of Danishefsky’s diene with aromatic aldehydes. This discovery is the first reported case of a calixpyrrole that exhibits organocatalytic activity.     

Synthesis of molybdenocene(IV) and tungstenocene(IV) tropolonato complexes: Its derivative containing calix[4]arene moiety

The cationic di-μ-hydroxo dinuclear complexes of molybdenocene and tungstenocene [Cp₂M(μ-OH)₂MCp₂]⁺ (Cp = η-C₅H₅; M = Mo or W) react with tropolone to afford corresponding tropolonato complexes [Cp₂M(trop)]⁺ (trop = C₇H₅O₂). The products were investigated by IR, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy as well as by X-ray crystallography (M = W). The structure shows that the central metal is surrounded by a distorted tetrahedral array of the two centers of cyclopentadienyl ligands and the two oxygen atoms of tropolonato ligand. The reaction has been extended to the synthesis of calix[4]arene receptor functionalized at the 1,3-positions of the upper rim with two tropolonato-molybdenocene centers.     

Asymmetrically substituted calix[4]pyrrole with chiral substituents

We have prepared first calix[4]pyrrole containing unprotected carbohydrate moiety directly linked to meso-position of oligopyrrole by stable "C-glycosidic" bond. Basic examination of its superassembly capability is presented.     

Synthesis of a new calix[n]pyrrole: meso-pentaspirocyclohexyl calix[5]pyrrole

We describe the first synthesis of the novel meso-pentaspirocyclohexyl calix[5]pyrrole 2b. Anion-guest properties of the new compound were evaluated with respect to fluoride, chloride, and bromide tetrabutylammonium salts by ¹H NMR titration techniques in deuterated dichloromethane at 22 °C by following the induced shifts in the NH resonances upon complexation.     

Uranium(IV) complexes of calix[n]arenes (n = 4, 6 and 8)

Reaction of UCl4 with calix[n]arenes (n = 4, 6 and 8) in THF or pyridine gave the mononuclear [UCl2(calix[4]arene--2H)(THF)2], bis-binuclear [U2Cl2(calix[6]arene--6H)(THF)3]2 and trinuclear [Hpy]6[U3Cl11(calix[8]arene--7H)] complexes, respectively, which are the first U(IV) complexes of O-unsubstituted calixarenes.     

Exclusive self-assembly of a polar dimeric capsule between tetraurea calix[4]pyrrole and tetraurea calix[4]arene

The exclusive self-sorting observed in the self-assembly process between tetraurea benzyl calix[4]pyrroles and tetraurea tolyl calix[4]arene to afford unprecedented hybrid dimeric capsules with polar interiors is described. The coencapsulation of a solvent molecule with an organic guest yields four particle aggregates in which the guests are confined and restricted into single hemispheres due to the polar requirements of the internal cavity.     

Synthesis and Properties of Functionalized Schiff Bases of 5α,10α-Di（4-hydroxylphenyl）calix[4]pyrrole and 5α,15β-Di（4-hydroxylphenyl）calix｜4] pyrrole

A series of calix[4]pyrrole meso-substituted Schiff bases was synthesized with 5α,10α-di（4- hydroxylphenyl）calix[4]pyrrole or 5α,15β-di（4-hydroxylphenyl）calix[4]pyrrole as starting materials. The synthetic routes included alkylation with methyl a-chlroroaceate, ammonolysis with alkylene diamine, and condensation with salieylladehyde or 2-hydroxynaphthaldehyde. The crystal structures of the new calix[4]pyrroles and their Schiff bases were determined by X-ray diffraction. The coordination properties of the representative ealix[4]pyrrole Sehiff bases to transition metal ions were also investigated by UV-Vis spectra.     

Catalytic Hydrogenation of meso‐Octamethylporphyrinogen (Calix[4]pyrrole)

Hydrogenation of meso‐octamethylporphyrinogen (calix[4]pyrrole) with a number of heterogeneous catalysts under different experimental conditions has been investigated. GC‐MS analyses of the reaction mixtures showed the formation of one to four products in low to moderate yields: three of them were diastereoisomers of the product derived from half‐hydrogenation of the substrate, and displayed alternating pyrrolidine and pyrrole rings, while the fourth was the all‐cis saturated product. An acidic medium was necessary to achieve hydrogenation. However, the use of too strongly acidic solvents or additives was detrimental to the stability of the substrate and/or the catalyst.     

Nanoencapsulation of calix[4]arene inclusion complexes

A hexameric resorcinarene nanocapsule in wet CDCl3 forms inclusion complexes of calix[4]arene with tetramethylammonium and trimethylsulfoxonium cations to give highly stable Russian-doll-type multicomponent assemblies. The 2D NOESY experiments revealed the size of the assembly, the close proximity of the encapsulated calix[4]arene molecule to the resorcinarene molecules of the capsule, and the inclusion of the tetramethylammonium cation in the calix[4]arene cavity.     

N-Tosylpyrrolidine calix[4]pyrrole: synthesis and ion binding studies

The synthesis and preliminary solution phase ion binding properties of the N-tosylpyrrolidine calix[4]pyrrole 2 are reported. This β-octaalkyl-substituted calix[4]pyrrole, the first to be prepared via a direct condensation reaction, was obtained by reacting the 3,4-alkyl-functionalized pyrrole 8 with acetone in the presence of an acid catalyst. On the basis of (1)H NMR spectroscopic analyses and isothermal titration calorimetry, it was concluded that, compared with the parent, β-unsubstituted calix[4]pyrrole (1), compound 2 possesses significantly enhanced binding ability for halide anions in chloroform. Furthermore, 2 proved capable of solubilizing in chloroform solution the otherwise insoluble salts, CsF and CsCl. These effects are ascribed to the interactions between the four tosyl groups present in 2 and the counter cations of the halide anion salts.     

Squaramide-substituted calix[4]pyrrole: Synthesis and ion binding studies

Squaramide-substituted calix[4]pyrrole 2 was synthesized and its anion-binding properties were investigated. On the basis of UV spectroscopy, ¹H NMR spectroscopic and computational DFT model analyses, compared with the parent calix[4]pyrrole 1, compound 2 shows significantly enhanced binding affinities for anions in CH₂Cl₂, and it was concluded that this increase in affinity is ascribed to participation of the squaramide unit in anion binding.     

Self-assembled calix[6]pyrrole capsules: solid-state encapsulation of different guests in preorganized calix[6]pyrrole capsules

meso-hexamethyl-meso-hexaphenyl calix[6]pyrrole assembles into well-defined dimeric capsules in the crystalline state; the preorganized capsule serves as an efficient host for different organic guests as well as for solvent molecules.     

Zirconium(IV) complexes ofSchiff bases

Zirconium(IV)Schiff base derivatives have been synthesised by reacting zirconium isopropoxide with monofunctional bidentateSchiff bases in different stoichiometric ratios. The resulting derivatives of the type Zr(O-Isopr)₃(SB) and Zr(O-Isopr)₂(SB)₂, whereSB ^– is the anion of the correspondingSchiff baseSBH, have been isolated in almost quantitative yields. Their molecular weights have been determined ebullioscopically and their ir spectra recorded.

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Zirkonium(IV)-Komplexe von Schiff-Basen

Zusammenfassung Es wurden Zirkonium(IV)-Schiff-Basen-Derivate in verschiedenen stöchiometrischen Zusammensetzungen über die Reaktion von Zirkoniumisopropoxid mit monofunktionellen zweizähnigenSchiff-Basen synthetisiert. Die Komplexe vom Typ Zr(O-Isopr)₃(SB) und Zr(O-Isopr)₂(SB)₂ [SB ^– als Anion derSchiff-BaseSBH] wurden in fast quantitativer Ausbeute erhalten. Es werden Strukturen vorgeschlagen, die auf ebullioskopisch bestimmten Molekulargewichten und den IR-Spektren basieren.