Calix[4]arene-based ditopic receptor for dicarboxylates

Shape-selective recognition for the dicarboxylates in DMSO can be attained by a new calix[4]arene-based receptor 1 having two urea groups. Biologically active chorismate selectively bound in 1 over its dehydrated derivative. Molecular mechanics calculations gave a plausible explanation for the selective binding.     

Calix[4]arene-based ligands as endotoxin receptors

Three new calix[4]arene-based receptors as potential antimicrobial agents have been synthesized. Their recognition ability towards lipopolysaccharides of Gram-negative bacteria has been studied by NMR and UV titrations.     

Calix[4]- and calix[5]arene-based multicavity macrocycles

Synthesis and single-crystal X-ray structures of mixed triple and double calixarenes 6 and 7, obtained from the base-catalyzed condensation of calix[5]arene 1 with cone pertosylated calix[4]arene 2, are reported. VT-NMR studies on 7 are consistent with a molecular motion arising from the anti-gauche conformational interconversion of its ethylene linkages.     

Calix[4]arene-based crab-like molecular sensors for highly selective detection of mercury and copper ions

In this work, two novel chemosensors based on calix[4]arene bearing (thio)barbituric acid groups (BC1 and BC2) were synthesised, and their structures were characterised by HRMS, NMR and FTIR. Furthermore, their binding properties towards various biologically relevant metal ions were studied by fluorescence titrations, ¹H NMR spectroscopies and Job’s plot evaluations. The chemosensor BC1 displayed excellent binding affinity and selectivity towards Cu²⁺, which was characterised using fluorescence spectroscopy. On the other hand, BC2 exhibited a very remarkable fluorescence enhancement as well as visible colour change from pale green to sunset yellow, in presence of Hg²⁺ ions. Finally, Job’s plot method revealed 1:1 binding stoichiometry for both BC1:Cu²⁺ complex and BC2:Hg²⁺ complex.     

Calix[4]pyrrole-capped metalloporphyrins as ditopic receptor models for anions

Strapped calix[4]pyrrole-metalloporphyrin conjugates, potential hosts for anionic guests, have been synthesized and characterized. The condensation unexpectedly resulted in the formation of the two conformational isomers of calix[4]pyrrole-capped porphyrins 6 and 7. The anion binding studies revealed that only isomer 6 showed strong binding with fluoride anion in organic solvent, and neither isomer showed any appreciable binding with Cl-, Br-, and I-. [structure: see text]     

Calix[4]arene-based bis[2]catenanes: synthesis and chiral resolution

The exclusive formation of hydrogen-bonded dimers between tetraaryl and tetratosylurea calix[4]arenes has been used to prepare a series of ten "bisloop" tetraurea calix[4]arenes 3, in which adjacent phenylurea groups are covalently linked through alpha,omega-dioxyalkane chains. This dimerization with tetratosylurea 2 as template preorganizes the alkenyl residues of tetra(m-alkenyloxyphenyl) ureas 1 and enables their selective connection in high yield (up to 95 %) by olefin metathesis followed by hydrogenation. The "bisloop" calixarenes 3 also exclusively form heterodimers with 1. Thus, in a separated metathesis/hydrogenation sequence, a series of 14 cyclic bis[2]catenanes 4, in which two calix[4]arenes are connected through their wide rims by two pairs of interlocked rings (total size 29 to 41 atoms), were prepared in yields of up to 97 %. Optical resolution of these chiral bis[2]catenanes was studied by HPLC on chiral stationary phases. The single-crystal X-ray structure of one example (4(P,10)) confirmed the interlocking rings and revealed that the hydrogen-bonded dimeric capsule of the calix[4]arene can be "completely" opened.     

Calix[4]arene-based metal-organic frameworks: towards hierarchically porous materials

An upper rim-functionalised calix[4]arene dicarboxylic acid (H(2)caldc) has been used to prepare four metal-organic frameworks, three of which have been structurally characterised and shown to form two- or three-dimensional network structures. Simulations suggest that such networks are likely to display interesting selectivity to guest molecules.     

Calix[4]pyrrole virtuous sensor: a selective and sensitive recognition for Pb(II) ions by spectroscopic and computational study

A novel supramolecular sensor derived from calix[4]pyrrole system i.e. calix[4]pyrrole bearing aminoanthraquinone derivative (CAAQ) have been designed and synthesized. The complexation behavior of metal cations [Ag(I), Ba(II), Ca(II), Ni(II), Co(II), Fe(III), Hg(II), Cu(II), Cr(II), Pb(II), Zn(II), (1 × 10^?4 M)] with CAAQ (1 × 10^?6 M) was studied by spectrophotometry and spectrofluorometry. Metal ion like Pb(II) produces red shift in absorption spectra and quenching in emission spectra likelihood of strong complexation of Pb(II) ions with CAAQ. Fluorescence cell imaging also supports the complexation of Pb(II) ions with CAAQ. The binding constants, quantum yield, stoichiometry of complex, mechanism of quenching by Stern–Volmer equation and Density functional theory calculation have been determined.     

Water-soluble supramolecular bowls formed by intra-clipping of resorcin[4]arene-based ligands with Pd(II) ions

Bowl-shaped superstructures have been constructed by intra-clipping of resorcin[4]arene derivatives with two equivalents of (en)Pd(NO3)2 in water. The binding phenomena of the aromatic carboxylates were proven to be both enthalpically and entropically favoured.     

Calix[4]arene-based Mannich and Schiff bases as versatile receptors for dichromate anion extraction: synthesis and comparative studies

A series of novel calix[4]arene-based Mannich (5 and 6) and Schiff base (9–11) receptors have been synthesized and characterized by various analytical techniques. Competitive two-phase extraction experiments of these novel calix[4]arene amine- and imine-containing derivatives revealed a strong affinity for dichromate anions $\left({\text{Cr}}_2{\text{O}}_7^{2?}/{\text{HCr}}_2{\text{O}}_7^{?}\right)$. The protonated alkylinium form of 5, 6 and 9–11 proved to be effective extractants for transferring the dichromate anions from an aqueous into an organic phase. Moreover, the extraction of dichromate anions by 5 and 9 in the presence of competitive anions such as F^?, Cl^?, Br^?, ${\text{NO}}_3^{?}$, ${\text{NO}}_2^{?}$, ${\text{PO}}_4^{3?}$ and ${\text{SO}}_4^{2?}$ showed that 5 and 9 could be selective anion receptors for dichromate anions in the presence of those anions.     

Synthesis of a novel calix[4]arene-based fluorescent ionophore and its metal ions recognition properties

A novel fluorescent ionophore derived from calix[4]arene and pyrazoline was designed and synthesized. Its molecular structure was confirmed by 1H NMR and element analysis. The resulting material shows specific fluorescent behavior toward the Zn2+ ion among the other divalent metal ions, such as Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+. The primary results indicate this ionophore material is a potential material for developing efficient fluorescent Zn2+ chemosensors.     

Anion effects on the recognition of ion pairs by calix[4]arene-based heteroditopic receptors

A novel heteroditopic receptor (5) based on a rigid calix[4]arene cavity bearing at the upper rim four arylsulfonamido binding sites has been synthesized. The binding abilities of this new host have been investigated in apolar solvents toward a series of tetramethylammonium salts (tosylate, chloride, acetate, trifluoroacetate, and picrate) and compared with those of monotopic and heteroditopic calix[4]arene-bis(crown-3)-based receptors 1 and 2 in order to evaluate the role of the anion on ion-pair recognition. While monotopic host 1 shows an efficiency order toward the different salts that increases when the anion is less interactive (Hofmeister trend), an opposite role of the counteranion on the recognition process was observed with host 5 (anti-Hofmeister trend). A more complex behavior is experienced by host 2, which shows a high and leveled efficiency for all the anions tested. The results obtained were explained on the basis of the different types of ion pairs present in the recognition process. Further information on the role of the anion were obtained by the "dual host" strategy utilizing the tri-n-butylthioureido derivative of tren 7, which forms a stable complex with chloride anion. The very high efficiency shown by these heteroditopic hosts opens new routes in supramolecular projects and is a very interesting tool in the molecular recognition of ion-pairs and its applications.     

H-point standard addition method for simultaneous determination of cobalt(II) and zinc(II) ions

The H-point standard addition method (HPSAM) was applied to the simultaneous determination of zinc(II) and cobalt(II). This method is based on the difference in the absorbance of methylthymol blue complexes of Zn(II) and Co(II) at pH 6 using different wavelength pairs. The results showed that Zn(II) and Co(II) can be determined simultaneously with concentration ratios of 20:1 and 1:7.5. Under working conditions, the proposed method was successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of zinc and cobalt in synthetic, drinking water and vitamin samples.     

H-point standard addition method for simultaneous determination of cobalt(II) and zinc(II) ions

The H-point standard addition method (HPSAM) was applied to the simultaneous determination of zinc(II) and cobalt(II). This method is based on the difference in the absorbance of methylthymol blue complexes of Zn(II) and Co(II) at pH 6 buffered solution in different wavelength pairs. The results showed that Zn(II) and Co(II) can be determined simultaneously with concentration ratios of 20:1 and 1:7.5. Under working conditions, the proposed method was successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of zinc and cobalt in synthetic and real samples.     

A novel calix[4]arene-based neutral semicarbazone receptor for anion recognition

A series of novel calix[4]arene-based neutral semicarbazone and thiosemicarbazone receptors have been synthesized and characterized. The molecular receptor 4a recognizes in preference to other anions (Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, , and ) through a 1:1 binding-stoichiometry.     

Resorcin[4]arene-based anion receptors with four phenylurea substituents

Cavitand-based anion receptors were developed by the introduction of four phenylurea moieties on the upper rim of a resorcin[4]arene. Their binding properties for various anions were investigated in DMSO-d₆ using ¹H NMR spectroscopic methods, and the high 1:1 binding affinity for carboxylates was observed due to hydrophobic as well as charge-dipole interactions between host and guest.