Strong, size-selective, and electronically tunable C-H...halide binding with steric control over aggregation from synthetically modular, shape-persistent [34]triazolophanes

A series of shape-persistent [3(4)]triazolophanes bearing t-butyl or triethylene glycol (OTg) substituents on the phenylene linkers have been prepared in a modular manner from simple building blocks. Triazolophane-halide binding affinities were determined using UV titrations in order to help in understanding the driving forces behind the large receptor-anion binding strengths supported solely by CH hydrogen-bond donors. The fixed size of the central cavity provides a means for selective recognition of Cl(-) and Br(-) anions with large binding strengths (Ka > 1,000,000 M(-1); DeltaG > -8.5 kcal mol(-1)). The smaller F(-) and larger I(-) anions are bound less tightly by approximately 1 and approximately 3 orders of magnitude, respectively. The four triazole-based H-bond donors are believed to be of primary importance, while the four phenylene CH H-bond donors take on a secondary role. Consistent with this idea, the binding affinity can be tuned by as much as 1 kcal mol(-1) by changing the character of the four phenylene-based substituents from more (OTg) to less (t-butyl) electron-donating. Preorganization was also found to play a central role, on the basis of comparisons with a foldamer analogue that shows much-reduced binding. Aggregation was facilitated as the substituents were changed from t-butyl to OTg, increasing the degree of self-association from K(E) approximately = 0 to 230 M(-1) in CD2Cl2. Diffusion NMR experiments established aggregation as opposed to dimerization. These findings indicate the importance of the cavity size for selective anion recognition as well as the role of the phenylene linkers in tuning the binding strengths and modulating the aggregation of the [3(4)]triazolophanes.     

Cyclic Naphthalene Diimide with a Ferrocene Moiety as a Redox-Active Tetraplex-DNA Ligand

Cyclic naphthalene diimides (cNDIs), with a ferrocene moiety (cFNDs) and different linker lengths between the ferrocene and cNDI moieties, were designed and synthesized as redox-active, tetraplex-DNA ligands. Intramolecular stacking was observed between ferrocene and the NDI planes, which could affect the binding properties for G-quadruplexes. Interestingly, the circular dichroism spectrum of one of these compounds clearly shows new Cotton effects around 320–380 and 240 nm, which can be considered a direct evidence of intramolecular stacking of ferrocene and the NDI. Regarding recognition of hybrid G-quadruplexes, the less rigid structures (longer linkers) show higher binding affinity (10⁶ m ⁻¹ order of magnitude). All new compounds show higher selectivity for G4 during electrochemical detection than noncyclic FND derivatives, which further identifies the redox-active potentiality of the cFNDs. Two of the three compounds tested even show preferential inhibition of cell growth in cancer cells over normal cells in a low concentration range, highlighting the potential for bioapplications of these cFNDs.     

Recognition of amides by new rigid Calix

The synthesis of new hosts specifically designed for the recognition of amides, characterized by two binding regions: a rigid calix[4]arene cavity and a sidearm, inserted at its rim, able to form strong hydrogen bonds, is described. The binding abilities of the new receptors toward amides of general structure R(1)CONR(2)R(3) have been investigated in CDCl(3) solution by (1)H NMR spectroscopy. When the additional binding site is the N-phenylureido group spaced by a methylene unit from the apolar cavity, binding constants up to 756 M(-)(1) were measured. Neither the two separate potential binding sites, nor the model host, where the calix[4]arene skeleton is flexible show detectable binding ability toward the series of guests examined. The rigidity of the calix[4]arene apolar cavity is the key control element in determining the efficiency of these molecular recognition processes. The presence of NH groups in the guest controls the efficiency and selectivity of binding.     

Calix[4]pyrroles bearing quinolinium moiety for halide sensing in aqueous solution

Sensing of chloride in aqueous solution with high selectivity is a challenging task and has a great potential for cellular imaging and analytical applications in food chemistry. Supramolecular binding motif calix[4]pyrrole has been conjugated with a known fluorescent probe for chloride – a quinolinium dye - through conformationally flexible and rigid linkers. Effects of the supramolecular host on the properties of the fluorescent dye and vice versa have been investigated by NMR, X-ray crystallographic and spectroscopic methods. New fluorescent probes have demonstrated better binding and quenching properties towards chloride, bromide and iodide in a 1:1 water-methanol mixture as compared to free calix[4]pyrrole and the quinolinium dye.     

Guest encapsulation and self-assembly of a cavitand-based coordination capsule

The synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of a cavitand-based coordination capsule 14 BF4 of nanometer dimensions is described. Encapsulation studies of large aromatic guests as well as aliphatic guests were performed by using 1H NMR spectroscopy in [D1]chloroform. In addition to the computational analysis of the shape and geometry of the capsule, an experimental approach to estimate the interior size of the cavity is discussed. The cavity provides a highly rigid binding space in which molecules with lengths of approximately 14 A can be selectively accommodated. The rigid cavity distinguished slight structural differences in the flexible alkyl-chain guests as well as the rigid aromatic guests. The detailed thermodynamic studies revealed that not only CH-pi interactions between the methyl groups on the guest termini and the aromatic cavity walls, but also desolvation of the inner cavity play a key role in the guest encapsulation. The cavity preferentially selected the hydrogen-bonded heterodimers of a mixture of two or three carboxylic acids 18-20. The chiral capsule encapsulated a chiral guest to show diastereoselection.     

A Tunable Cyclic Container: Guest‐Induced Conformational Switching,Efficient Guest Exchange,and Selective Isolation of C70 from a Fullerene Mixture

An adaptable cyclic porphyrin dimer with highly flexible linkers has been used as an artificial molecular container that can efficiently encapsulate various aromatic guests (TCNQ/C₆₀/C₇₀) through strong π–π interactions by adjusting its cavity size and conformation. The planar aromatic guest (TCNQ) can be easily and selectively exchanged with larger aromatic guests (C₆₀/C₇₀). During the guest‐exchange process, the two porphyrin rings switch their relative orientation according to the size and shape of the guests. This behavior of the cyclic container has been thoroughly investigated by using UV/Vis spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, and X‐ray crystal structure determination of the host–guest assemblies. The electrochemical and photophysical studies demonstrated the occurrence of photoinduced electron transfer from bisporphyrin to TCNQ/C₆₀/C₇₀ in the respective host–guest assemblies. The cyclic host can form complexes with C₆₀ and C₇₀ with association constants of (2.8±0.2)×10⁵ and (1.9±0.3)×10⁸ m ⁻¹, respectively; the latter value represents the highest binding affinity for C₇₀ reported so far for zinc(II) bisporphyrinic receptors. This high selectivity for the binding of C₇₀ versus C₆₀ allows the easy extraction and efficient isolation of C₇₀ from a C₆₀/C₇₀ fullerene mixture. Experimental evidence was substantiated by DFT calculations.     

Structure of Complex Natural Anthocyanins

We proposed four types of stabilization mechanisms of anthocyanin in aqueous solutions; (1) self-association, (2) copigmentation, (3) intramolecular sandwich-type stacking, and (4) metal chelation associated with self-association and copigmentation. The driving force of these stackings would be mainly hydrophobic interactions between the aromatic nuclei which are surrounded by hydrophilic sugar moieties.     

Multipoint recognition of catecholamines by hydrindacene-based receptors accompanied by the complexation-induced conformational switching

The molecular recognition of catecholamines by hydrindacene-based receptors 1 and 2, as well as the durene-based receptor 3, and the guest-induced conformational changes are reported. These receptors selectively bind adrenaline and dopamine salts through the guests' ammonium group and 3-hydroxyl group on the aromatic ring. In the case of adrenaline, an additional hydrogen bond with a benzylic hydroxyl group is formed. In 2 % CD3CN/CDCl3, the association constants are of the order of 10(4) M(-1), which is much larger than with guests without the 3-hydroxyl groups (10(3) M(-1)). The two amide groups of receptor 1 can rotate freely around the C(aromatic)--C(amide) bond, whereas the tert-amide in 2 changes between two stable conformations at a slow enough rate to allow detection by (1)H NMR spectroscopy. In the absence of a guest molecule, the syn-conformer is less stable than the anti-conformer. On complex formation with adrenaline, the syn-conformer becomes dominant due to an intramolecular dipole-reversal effect in addition to multipoint hydrogen bonding.     

5-Alkynyl-2′-deoxyuridines, containing bulky aryl groups: evaluation of structure-anti-HSV-1 activity relationship

Four 5-alkynyl-2′-deoxyuridines containing different bulky substituents and flexible linkers between the triple bond and the aromatic residue have been prepared and tested against HSV-1 in Vero cells. Two nucleosides containing carbonyl groups, 5-(4-benzoylphenoxypropyn-1-yl)-2′-deoxyuridine (19a) and 5-(estron-3-yloxypropyn-1-yl)-2′-deoxyuridine (19c), showed low cytotoxicity and moderate antiviral activity. The flexible linker appears not to be favorable for antiviral properties of 5-alkynyl-2′deoxyuridines: 5-[(perylen-3-yl)methoxypropyn-1-yl]-2′-deoxyuridine (19d) showed considerable cytotoxicity and no antiviral activity in contrast to the active and nontoxic 5-(perylen-3-ylethynyl)-2′-deoxyuridine (9), a nucleoside with a rigid triple-bond-connection of the aromatic system to the nucleobase.     

Interplay of fidelity, binding strength, and structure in supramolecular polymers

In studies of a supramolecular network of polymers formed by self-association of UPy or UG recognition units displayed along a poly(butyl methacrylate) (PBMA) backbone, it was unexpectedly found that the more weakly dimerizing (Kdimer approximately 200 M-1) UG unit produced more assembly than did the very strongly dimerizing UPy unit (Kdimer = 2 x 107 M-1). Likewise, in examining supramolecular blends mediated by the heterocomplexation of DAN and UPy, which occurs upon the mixing of polystyrene containing the DAN unit (PS-DAN) and PBMA-UPy, increasing the mol % of UPy did not produce increased viscosity. 1H NMR showed that both observations can be explained by the intramolecular recognition of UPy. Structural studies show that the length of the chain linking the UPy unit to the backbone is critical, with longer linkers favoring intermolecular dimers. An interplay of linker chain length, polymer Mw, recognition unit mol %, and fidelity determines the extent of network growth.     

新型Schiff碱分子钳对中性分子的识别性能研究

采用差紫外光谱法考察了3种新型Schiff碱分子钳对一系列二苯甲酮、芳香二胺的识别性能.测定了主客体间的结合常数(Ka)和自由能变化(ΔG0).结果表明,分子钳对所考察的客体显示良好的识别作用,主客体间形成1:1型超分子配合物.讨论了识别作用的推动力与形状、大小匹配和几何互补等因素对形成主客体配合物的影响,并利用核磁氢谱与计算机模拟作为辅助手段对主要的实验结果与现象进行了解释.     

A Water‐Soluble Perylene Bisimide Cyclophane as a Molecular Probe for the Recognition of Aromatic Alkaloids

Herein, we report a water‐soluble macrocyclic host based on perylene bisimide (PBI) chromophores that recognizes natural aromatic alkaloids in aqueous media by intercalating them into its hydrophobic cavity. The host–guest binding properties of our newly designed receptor with several alkaloids were studied by UV/Vis and fluorescence titration experiments as the optical properties of the chromophoric host change significantly upon complexation of guests. Structural information on the host–guest complexes was obtained by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and molecular modelling. Our studies reveal a structure–binding property relationship for a series of structurally diverse aromatic alkaloids with the new receptor and higher binding affinity for the class of harmala alkaloids. To our knowledge, this is the first example of a chromophoric macrocyclic host employed as a molecular probe for the recognition of aromatic alkaloids.     

Molecular Mechanics Study of the Steric Structure of the Dipeptides Vilon and Thymogen

Molecular dynamics trajectories of two dipeptides, vilon (Lys-Glu) and thymogen (Glu-Trp), were traced up to 700 ps. Both structures comprise intramolecular salt bridges which make them less conformationally flexibile. Vilon is comparatively more flexible due to the aliphatic side chain of Lys, whereas thymogen is quite a rigid structure, which is defined by the mutual arrangement of salt bridges and aromatic rings in the side chain of Trp. A probable mechanism of ligand-receptor binding of dipeptides with excitable membrane was proposed. The binding can be effected via the nitrogen and oxygen atoms forming the salt bridges.     

Nucleotide recognition in water by a guanidinium-based artificial tweezer receptor

The water-soluble tweezer receptor 1 with two symmetric peptidic arms, which are connected by an aromatic scaffold and contain lysine, phenylalanine, and a guanidinium-based anion-binding site as headgroup, has been synthesized. UV/Vis-derived Job plots show that the receptor forms 1:1 complexes with nucleotides and phosphate in buffered water at neutral pH. Binding constants have been determined by fluorescence and UV/Vis spectroscopy. All nucleotides tested were bound very efficiently, even in pure water, with binding constants between 10(4) and 10(5) M(-1) . Interestingly, all mononucleotides were bound much stronger than phosphate by a factor of at least 5 to 10. Furthermore 1 favors the binding of adenosine monophosphate (AMP) over adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is unprecedented for artificial nucleotide receptors reported so far. According to NMR spectroscopy and molecular modeling studies, the efficient binding is a result of strong electrostatic contacts supported by π-π interactions with the nucleobase within the cavity-shaped receptor.     

Spacer‐Modulated Differentiation Between Self‐Assembly and Folding Pathways for Bichromophoric Merocyanine Dyes

We have synthesized a large series of bis(merocyanine) dyes with varying spacer unit and investigated in detail their self‐organization behavior by concentration‐ as well as solvent‐dependent UV/Vis spectroscopy. Our in‐depth studies have shown that the self‐organization of the present bis(merocyanine) dyes is subtly influenced by the nature of the spacer unit. The utilization of rigid spacers results in the formation of self‐associated bimolecular complexes with high binding strength, while flexible spacers drive the respective bichromophoric dyes to intramolecular folding. Our thorough investigations on the impact of alkyl spacer chain length on the folding tendency of the present series of bis(merocyanine) dyes revealed a biphasic behavior, that is, a steep increase of the folding tendency for the dyes containing C4 to C7 chains and then a gentle decrease for dyes with longer alkyl spacer chains as evidenced by free energy (ΔG) values for the folding of these dyes. Furthermore, analyses of aggregates’ optical properties based on exciton theory as well as quantum chemical calculations suggest a bimolecular aggregate structure for the dye possessing a rigid spacer and a rotationally twisted pleated structure for the bis(merocyanine) dyes having spacer units with less than seven carbon atoms, while the application of longer alkyl chain linkers (≥C7) provides enough flexibility to orient the chromophores in electrostatically most favored antiparallel fashion.     

Smart macrocyclic molecules: induced fit and ultrafast self-sorting inclusion behavior through dynamic covalent chemistry

A family of macrocycles with oligo(ethylene glycol) chains, 4O, 5O, and 6O, was developed to construct a series of new incorporated macrocycles through dynamic covalent chemistry. These flexible macrocycles exhibited excellent "self-sorting" abilities with diamine compounds, which depended on the "induced-fit" rule. For instance, the host macrocycles underwent conformational modulation to accommodate the diamine guests, affording [1+1] intramolecular addition compounds regardless of the flexibility of the diamine. These macrocycles folded themselves to fit various diamines with different chain length through modulation of the flexible polyether chain, and afforded intramolecular condensation products. However, if the chain of the diamine was too long and rigid, oligomers or polymers were obtained from the mixture of the macromolecule and the diamine. All results demonstrated that inclusion compounds involving conformationally suitable aromatic diamines were thermodynamically favorable candidates in the mixture due to the restriction of the macrocycle size. Furthermore, kinetic and thermodynamic studies of self-sorting behaviors of both mixed 4O-5O and 4O-6O systems were investigated in detail. Finally, theoretical calculations were also employed to further understand such self-sorting behavior, and indicated that the large enthalpy change of H(2)NArArNH(2)@4O is the driving force for the sorting behavior. Our system may provide a model to further understand the principle of biomolecules with high specificity due only to their conformational self-adjusting ability.     

Ion pair cooperative binding of potassium salts by new rhenium(I) bipyridine crown ether receptors

The new rhenium(I) bipyridine crown ether receptors 1-4 have been prepared and their ion pair recognition properties examined. The crystal structure of [1.KCl](2).2H(2)O demonstrates that potassium is coordinated by benzo-18-crown-6 and chloride is hydrogen bonded to the amide groups. Receptor 3 extracts solid KCl and KOAc into chloroform via ion pair complexation. NMR and emission titration studies with receptors 1-4 and KCl/KOAc show that cobound potassium enhances anion binding strength by electrostatic and conformational effects. Significant cooperative interactions are observed between the anion and cation sites for host 4 in CH(3)CN. This molecule coordinates potassium to form a 1:1 intramolecular sandwich complex, which preorganizes the host for acetate binding.     

Selective CO2 adsorption by a triazacyclononane-bridged microporous metal-organic framework

Metal-organic frameworks constructed by self-assembly of metal ions and organic linkers have recently been of great interest in the preparation of porous hybrid materials with a wide variety of functions. Despite much research in this area and the large choice of building blocks used to fine-tune pore size and structure, it remains a challenge to synthesise frameworks composed of polyamines to tailor the porosity and adsorption properties for CO(2). Herein, we describe a rigid and microporous three-dimensional metal-organic framework with the formula [Zn(2)(L)(H(2)O)]Cl (L=1,4,7-tris(4-carboxybenzyl)-1,4,7-triazacyclononane) synthesised in a one-pot solvothermal reaction between zinc ions and a flexible cyclic polyaminocarboxylate. We have demonstrated, for the first time, that a porous rigid framework can be obtained by starting from a flexible amine building block. Sorption measurements revealed that the material exhibited a high surface area (135 m(2) g(-1)) and was the best compromise between capacity and selectivity for CO(2) over CO, CH(4), N(2) and O(2); as such it is a promising new selective adsorbent for CO(2) capture.     

Thermodynamics of molecular recognition of bile salts by 3,6'-(oligoethylenediamino-bridged) beta-cyclodextrin dimers

The molecular recognition behaviors of some representative bile salts by three 3,6'-bridged beta-cyclodextrin dimers with oligo(ethylenediamino) linkers in different lengths, i.e. 3,6'-(ethylenediamino-bridged) beta-cyclodextrin dimer (1), 3,6'-(diethylenetriamino-bridged) beta-cyclodextrin dimer (2), and 3,6'-(triethylenetetraamino-bridged) beta-cyclodextrin dimer (3), were investigated in aqueous phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.20) at 25 degrees C by means of 2D NMR spectroscopy and isothermal titration microcalorimetry. Owing to the cooperative host-linker-guest binding mode between host and guest, these 3,6'-bridged beta-cyclodextrin dimers showed significantly enhanced binding abilities and molecular selectivities as compared with native beta-cyclodextrin through the simultaneous contributions of hydrophobic, hydrogen bond, and electrostatic interactions. Thermodynamically, the inclusion complexations of these beta-cyclodextrin dimers with bile salts were mainly driven by large enthalpic gain, accompanied by slight to moderate entropic loss. An enthalpy-entropy compensation analysis demonstrated that these beta-cyclodextrin dimers experienced large conformational changes and extensive desolvation effect upon inclusion complexation with guest molecules.     

Sulfated mesoporous alumina: a highly effective solid strong base catalyst for the Tishchenko reaction in supercritical carbon dioxide

Heterogeneous strong base catalysis for the intramolecular Tishchenko reaction of aromatic 1,2-dicarbaldehydes to the corresponding phthalides in supercritical CO2CscCO2 has been realized with mesoporous alumina containing SO4(2-) ions in the alumina framework (mesoAl2O3/SO4(2-)). Infrared spectroscopy of pyrrole adsorbed on the alumina and strong poisoning by a weak Br?nsted acid of methanol revealed that the SO4(2-) ions in the framework slightly suppressed the average strength of base sites (O2-) on mesoAl2O3/SO4(2-), but there exists a small number of strong base sites that promote the Tishchenko reaction in scCO2. Although the intramolecular Tishchenko reaction of phthalaldehyde to phthalide in scCO2 was somewhat slower than those in organic solvents such as tetrahydrofuran (THF) and benzene, the addition of a small amount of THF as a cosolvent remarkably increased the reaction rate; the reaction in the scCO2-THF system proceeded 1.5-fold faster than those in pure benzene and THF solvents.