Solvent extraction and self-assembly of nanosized aggregates of p-tert-butyl thiacalix[4]arenes tetrasubstituted at the lower rim by tertiary amide groups and monocharged metal cations in the organic phase

New p-tert-butyl thiacalix[4]arenes functionalized with morpholide and pyrrolidide groups at the lower rim in cone, partial cone, and 1,3-alternate conformations were synthesized, and their receptor properties for monocharged cations (alkali metal and silver ions) were studied using the picrate extraction method and dynamic light scattering (DLS). To evaluate the ability of the p-tert-butyl thiacalix[4]arene derivatives to recognize metal ions, liquid-liquid extraction of their picrate salts has been carried out in a mutually saturated water-dichloromethane system. The degrees of extraction and the extraction constants for monocharged metal cations (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Cs⁺) have been determined. The ability of the systems, consisting of host and guest molecules, to self-assembly was proved by DLS using a Zetasizer Nano ZS particle size analyzer. It was shown that all the investigated thiacalix[4]arenes are able to form nanoscale particles with silver cations under the experimental conditions. The pyrrolidide derivative in the cone conformation showed both self-association and aggregation processes with lithium cations. The degree of extraction for all the investigated systems that formed nanoscale aggregates in the organic phase was more than 67% and the extraction constants, log K_ex determined by the picrate extraction method, more than 6.     

p-tert-Butyl thiacalix[4]arenes functionalized at the lower rim by o-, m-, p-amido and o-, m-, p-(amidomethyl)pyridine fragments as receptors for α-hydroxy- and dicarboxylic acids

A series of new p-tert-butyl thiacalix[4]arenes with o-, m-, p-amido and o-, m-, p-(amidomethyl)pyridine substituents at the lower rim in cone, partial cone, and 1,3-alternate conformations were synthesized. The ability of the obtained compounds to recognize the α-hydroxy (glycolic, tartaric) and dicarboxylic (oxalic, malonic, succinic, fumaric, and maleic) acids was investigated by UV-vis spectroscopy. Also, the efficiency and selectivity of binding, the association constants log K_a (10² to 10⁷ M⁻¹) and the stoichiometry were determined for the complexes of p-tert-butyl thiacalix[4]arenes with the acids. The receptors based on p-tert-butyl thiacalix[4]arenes with (amidomethyl)pyridine substitutes are most efficient in complexation in many cases.     

Monosubstituted lower rim thiacalix[4]arene derivatives

A clean and partially green route to monoalkyled thiacalix[4]arenes has been demonstrated. We have discovered that tetraalkylammonium halide can cleave selectively one of the two aryl alkyl ethers of dialkylated para-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arenes. Thus, p-tert-butyl thiacalix[4]arenes differently monoalkyled at the lower rim with acetyl, propyl, and benzyl group were synthesized in good yield.     

Structure–Activity Relationship of the Thiacalix[4]arenes Family with Sulfobetaine Fragments: Self-Assembly and Cytotoxic Effect against Cancer Cell Lines

Regulating the structure of macrocyclic host molecules and supramolecular assemblies is crucial because the structure–activity relationship often plays a role in governing the properties of these systems. Herein, we propose and develop an approach to the synthesis of the family of sulfobetaine functionalized thiacalix[4]arenes with regulation of the self-assembly and cytotoxic effect against cancer cell lines. The dynamic light scattering method showed that the synthesized macrocycles in cone, partial cone and 1,3-alternate conformations form submicron-sized particles with Ag⁺ in water, but the particle size and polydispersity of the systems studied depend on the macrocycle conformation. Based on the results obtained by ¹H and ¹H-¹H NOESY NMR spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy for the macrocycles and their aggregates with Ag⁺, a coordination scheme for the Ag⁺ and different conformations of p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene functionalized with sulfobetaine fragments was proposed. The type of coordination determines the different shapes of the associates. Cytotoxic properties are shown to be controlled by the shape of associates, with the highest activity demonstrated by thiacalix[4]arenes in partial cone conformation. This complex partial cone/Ag⁺ is two times higher than the reference drug imatinib mesylate. High selectivity against cervical carcinoma cell line indicates the prospect of their using as components of new anticancer system.     

Hard–Soft Receptors, Tetrakis[(N,N-diethylaminocarbonyl)methoxy] thiacalix[4]arene Derivatives with cone and 1,3-alternate Conformation

Direct O-alkylation of p-tert-butyltetrathiacalix[4]arene with N,N-diethylchloroacetamide afforded two conformational isomers (1,3-alternate and cone) of tetrakis[(N,N-diethylaminocarbonyl)methoxy]thiacalix[4]arene and 1,3-disubstituted bis[(N,N-diethylaminocarbonyl)methoxy]thiacalix[4]arene, depending on the base used. The complaxation behaviors of the tetrakis isomers were assessed by ¹H NMR titration experiments. Evidence of 1:2 (homo- and hetero-dinuclear) complexes formation of 1,3-alternate-tetrakis[(N,N-diethylaminocarbonyl)methoxy]thiacalix[4]arene with alkali (K⁺ and Na⁺) or transition (Ag⁺) metal ions was obtained. Interestingly, it was found that the cone-tetrakis[(N,N-diethylaminocarbonyl)methoxy]thiacalix[4]arene required a prior Ag⁺ complexation to form 1:2 heterodinuclear complex. Received in final form: 26 January 2005     

Synthesis and conformational behaviour of lower-rim tetraacetylated thiacalix[4]arenes

The acylation of thiacalix[4]arenes with AcCl or Ac₂O gave the corresponding lower-rim tetraacetoxy derivatives. In contrast to classical calix[4]arenes, tetraacetylated thiacalix[4]arenes are conformationally mobile in solution and represent a thermodynamic equilibrium of three different conformers at room temperature. As proven by a dynamic ¹H NMR study, conformational preferences of acetylated thiacalix[4]arenes considerably depend on the upper-rim substitution. Hence, t-Bu thiacalixarene prefers 1,3-alternate and 1,2-alternate conformations (43% and 38%, respectively), while the upper-rim unsubstituted compound adopts preferably the partial cone conformation (70%).     

Dimeric water embedded within a hydrophobic cavity of tetra-(p-tert-butyl)thiacalix[4]arene

X-ray crystallographic analysis and density functional B3LYP/6-31G(d) calculation confirm that dimeric water is embedded within a hydrophobic cavity of tetra-(p-tert-butyl)thiacalix[4]arene and stabilized by hydrogen bondings of aromatic π?H₂O(1) and methyl?H₂O(2) in the dimeric water inclusion complex with binding energies of 1.4 and 0.9 kcal mol⁻¹ respectively, and by hydrogen bonding formed between H₂O(2) and four phenolic OH groups from an adjacent tetra-(p-tert-butyl)thiacalix[4]arene, with binding energy of 3.8-4.2 kcal mol⁻¹.     

The conformation and dynamic behaviour of tetrathiacalix[4]arenes functionalized by hydrazide and hydrazone groups

The ¹H, ¹³C and ¹⁵N NMR data, conformation and dynamic behaviour of the new tetrathiacalix[4]arenes functionalized by hydrazide and hydrazone groups are reported and compared with the result of earlier investigations of 4-tert-butylphenoxyacetylhydrazones. The unusual fact of formation of N,N′-diacetylhydrazine bridge and factors leading to its formation in the cone conformer of calixarene has been discussed. The barriers of rotation of hydrazone fragments of tetrathiacalix[4]arenes were determined by NMR-measurements at various temperatures. The structure of 1,3-alternate conformer of 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25,26,27,28-tetrakis[hydrazinocarbonylmethyl]-2,8,14,20-tetrathiacalix[4]arene in solution is compared with crystal structure obtained by the X-ray analysis.     

Modification of silica nanoparticles with stereisomers of <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-butylthiacalix[4]arene containing four 2-oxo-2-{[3-(triethoxysilyl)prop-1-yl]amino}ethoxy substituents at the lower rim

Three stereoisomers (cone, partial cone, and 1,3-alternate) of p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene bearing four anchor propyltriethoxysilane substituents at the lower rim were synthesized for the first time. Surface modification of silica nanoparticles (d = 12 nm) with the synthesized macrocycles gave novel hybride thiacalix [4]arene?SiO₂ particles. The obtained nanostructured adsorbents were found to efficiently extract nitroaromatic compounds from aqueous solutions. The partial cone and 1,3-alternate thiacalix[4]arene–SiO₂ hybrid particles showed affinity to nitrophenols.     

New host molecules based on the thiacalix[4]arene platform for cation recognition

The synthesis of four new tetra-and di-carbonyl p-tert-butyl thiacalix[4]arenes is reported. The three tetracarbonyl compounds differ as conformational isomers (cone, partial cone, and 1,3-alternate). The influence of the alkali metal ion templates on the formation of the different conformational isomers of the compound was studied by the solvent extraction method.     

Improvement of selective d-cation binding by tetrathiacalix[4]arene hydrazides: synthesis and extraction properties

New de-tert-butyltetrathiacalix[4]arenes with acetylhydrazide substituents in cone and 1,3-alternate conformations have been synthesised with good yield by the hydrazinolysis of calix[4]arene ester derivatives. The recognition ability of synthesised macrocycles towards transition and alkali metals has been investigated by the picrate extraction method. The stoichiometry of complexes and the extraction constants have been determined. It has been found that tetrahydrazides do not extract alkali metal ions, but show an excellent affinity towards transition and heavy metal cations. The 1,3-alternate conformer of de-tert-butyltetrathiacalix[4]arene has revealed a remarkable selectivity for Ni²⁺ and Ag⁺ in the row of d-elements and for Cd²⁺ ion among the toxic heavy metals. The experimental data show that the removal of tert-butyl groups from tetrathiacalix[4]arene framework leads to the drastic improvement of extraction efficiency and selectivity of new tetrahydrazides.     

Quantum chemical study of the self-assembly of tetrathiacalix[4]arenes and their oxygen analogs functionalized by hydrazide groups

The self-assembly of tetrathiacalix[4]arene and tetraoxacalix[4]arene molecules functionalized by hydrazide groups was studied by DFT calculations at B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level. The calculations were performed for the cone and 1,3-alternate conformations. The associates of calix[4]arenes in the cone conformation are stabilized by multiple hydrogen bonds with inclusion of all hydrazide groups in the formation of the globule, which suppresses the formation of extended structures.     

Pyridinyl hydrazone derivatives of thiacalix[4]arene as selective extractants of transition metal ions

The recognition ability of pyridinyl hydrazone derivatives of cone- and 1,3-alternate tetrathiacalix[4]arenes towards transition and alkali metals has been investigated by picrate extraction method. The stoichiometry of complexes and the extraction constants have been determined. It has been found that hydrazones do not extract alkali metal ions but show an excellent affinity towards transition and heavy metal cations. The removal of tert-butyl groups from calix[4]arene platform in the case of cone and 1,3-alternate isomers leads to an increase of d-ion extraction selectivity or efficiency.     

Pentakis-thiacalix[4]Arenes with Nitrile Fragments: Receptor Properties toward Cations of Some s-and d-metals and Self-assembly of Nanoscale Aggregates

Pentakis-thiacalix[4]arenes containing thiacalix[4]arene fragments in cone, partial cone and 1,3-alternate conformations as their central core have been obtained. Their interaction with cations of s- and d-metals gives supramolecular assemblies whose composition depends on the conformation of pentakis-thiacalix[4]arenes and the nature of the ‘guests’.     

Structures of urea/thiourea 1,3-disubstituted thia[4]calixarenes and corresponding monofunctional receptors and their anion recognition properties

Two thiacalix[4]arenes in 1,3-alternate conformation functionalized by two (CH₂)₂NH(C=X)NHC₆H₄-NO₂-p groups (X = S,O) as well as two related monofunctional receptors MeO(CH₂)₂NH(C=X)NHC₆H₄-NO₂-p were prepared and characterized by X-ray crystal structures. The thioureido and ureido derivatives have E,Z and E,E conformations respectively both in monofunctional receptors and thiacalixarenes. The thiacalixarene attached thiourea groups are well separated from each other, but respective urea groups are much closer to each other and have mutual parallel orientation making the bisurea derivative a better preorganized receptor as compared to bisthiourea. Binding of Cl^?, F^?, H₂PO₄ ^? and AcO^? anions in chloroform and DMSO was studied by spectrophotometric and NMR titrations. In chloroform both bisurea and bisthiourea thiacalix[4]arenes bind anions 3–5 times stronger than corresponding monofunctional compounds in spite of better preorganization of the urea derivative. In DMSO simultaneous deprotonation of ureido NH groups of receptors and hydrogen bonding reactions are observed. Deprotonation by H₂PO₄ ^? is accompanied by a strong association between liberated H₃PO₄ and H₂PO₄ ^? (log K = 3.9). For hydrogen bonding associations the binding constants of H₂PO₄ ^? and AcO^? with bisurea thiacalixarene are up to two orders of magnitude larger than those with corresponding monofunctional receptor, but with bisthiourea thiacalixarene the effect is less than two-fold. Thus in this solvent in contrast to chloroform the preorganization is an important factor.     

Regioselective ipso formylation of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene

A convenient procedure for direct introduction of one formyl group into p-tert-butylcalix[4]arenes through ipso substitution is described.     

Synthesis and properties of mono-O-[(N-(aminoalkyl)aminocarbonyl)-methoxy]thiacalix[4]arenes and novel mono-O-bridged bisthiacalix[4]arene

A simple method for thiacalix[4]arene O-monoamide preparation with high yields using 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-28-(ethoxycarbonyl)methoxy-2,8,14,20-tetrathiacalix[4]arene reaction with diaminoalkanes is reported. The solid state cyclization reaction of the acylethylenediamines function of 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-28-O-[(N-(2-aminoethyl)aminocarbonyl)-methoxy]thiacalix[4]arene leading to the formation of the 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-28-[2-methoxy-imdazoline]thiacalix[4]arene compound is described for the first time for the calixarene macrocycle family. Finally, preliminary results show that O-mono-amide-thiacalixarene derivatives are promising candidates for the production of self-assembled materials and efficient precursors for the synthesis of bisthiacalix[4] arenes.     

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.     

A simple approach to the synthesis of dialkyl 5-tert-butylamino-[2,2′]bifuranyl-3,4-dicarboxylates

Reaction of tert-butyl isocyanide with electron-deficient acetylenic esters in the presence of N¹-[(Z)-1-benzoyl-3-oxo-3-phenyl-1-propenyl]-2-(2-furyl)-2-oxoacetamide leads to dialkyl 5-tert-butylamino-[2,2′]bifuranyl-3,4-dicarboxylates in moderate yields.     

Synthesis of an inherently chiral O,O′-bridged thiacalix[4]crowncarboxylic acid and its application to a chiral solvating agent

Treatment of readily available O,O′-1,1,3,3-tetraisopropyldisiloxane-1,3-diyl-bridged p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene (1) with tri(ethylene glycol) di-p-tosylate and subsequent desilylation gave O,O′-bridged thiacalix[4]crown 3 in an excellent yield. Mono-O-alkylation of 3 with ethyl bromoacetate, followed by optical resolution by chiral HPLC, and subsequent hydrolysis of the ester moiety gave inherently chiral O,O′-bridged thiacalix[4]crowncarboxylic acid (+)-6, which clearly discriminated enantiomeric primary amines, as well as amino esters, by ¹H NMR spectroscopy.