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.     

Cyclometalated complexes derived from calix[4]arene bisphosphites and their catalytic applications in cross-coupling reactions

Palladium and platinum dichloride complexes of a series of symmetrically and unsymmetrically substituted 25,26;27,28-dibridged p-tert-butyl-calix[4]arene bisphosphites in which two proximal phenolic oxygen atoms of p-tert-butyl- or p-H-calix[4]arene are connected to a P(OR) (R = substituted phenyl) moiety have been synthesized. The palladium dichloride complexes of calix[4]arene bisphosphites bearing sterically bulky aryl substituents undergo cyclometalation by C-C or C-H bond scission. An example of cycloplatinated complex is also reported. The complexes have been characterized by NMR spectroscopic and single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. During crystallization of the palladium dichloride complex of a symmetrically substituted calix[4]arene bisphosphite in dichloromethane, insertion of oxygen occurs into the Pd-P bond to give a P,O-coordinated palladium dichloride complex. The calix[4]arene framework in these bisphosphites and their metal complexes adopt distorted cone conformation; the cone conformation is more flattened in the metal complexes than in the free calix[4]arene bisphosphites. Some of these cyclometalated complexes proved to be active catalysts for Heck and Suzuki C-C cross-coupling reactions but, on an average, the yields are only modest.     

Time Programmable Locking/Unlocking of the Calix[4]arene Scaffold by Means of Chemical Fuels

In this work, we report that 2-cyano-2-phenylpropanoic acid and its p-Cl, p-CH₃ and p-OCH₃ derivatives can be used as chemical fuels to control the geometry of the calix[4]arene scaffold in its cone conformation. It is shown that, under the action of the fuel, the cone calix[4]arene platform assumes a “locked” shape with two opposite aromatic rings strongly convergent and the other two strongly divergent (“pinched cone” conformation). Only when the fuel is exhausted, the cone calix[4]arene scaffold returns to its resting, “unlocked” shape. Remarkably, the duration of the “locked” state can be controlled at will by varying the fuel structure or amount. A kinetic study of the process shows that the consume of the fuel is catalyzed by the “unlocked” calixarene that behaves as an autocatalyst for its own production. A mechanism is proposed for the reaction of fuel consumption.     

Aminolysis reaction of calix [ 4 ] arene esters and crystal structures and conformational behaviors of calix[4]arene amides

We first make use of aminolysis of calix[4]arene esters to synthesize calix[4]arene amides. When the two ethyl esters of the calix[4]arene esters are aminolysized, the 1, 3-amide derivative is formed selectively. The crystal structures of the calix-[4]arene with two butyl amide (3b) and four butyl amide moieties (4b) were determined. The intermolecular hydrogen bonds make 4b form two-dimensional net work insolid state. The 1H NMR spectra prove that 3b is of a pinched cone conformation, while 4b and tetraheptylamide-calix[4]arene (6b) take fast interconversion between two C2v isomers in solution and appear an apparent cone conformation at room temperature. As decreasing temperature, the interconversion rate decreases gradually and, finally, the interconversion process is frozen at Tc = -10℃, which makes both conformations of 4b and 6b the pinched cone structures. The hydrogen bond improves the interconversion barrier, and the large different values of the potential barrier between 6b and 4b (or 6b) may     

Structures and properties of solvated and unsolvated isopropyl functionalised calix[4]arenes

The tetra-isopropyl ethers of calix[4]arene and p-t-butylcalix[4]arene have been isolated in the cone conformation, and structurally characterised as chloroform solvates. Thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated that the parent isopropylcalix[4]arene solvate is significantly more stable than the p-t-butylcalix[4]arene analogue, retaining the solvent up to a temperature of 125°C. It was found that the calix[4]arene ether sublimes at atmospheric pressure, and solvent-free crystals appropriate for structure determination were produced at reduced pressure. The p-t-butylcalix[4]arene ether was also isolated without solvent in the lattice, but in this case the calixarene was crystallised from acetone, as sublimation did not produce crystals of sufficient quality.     

Preparation of p-nitrocalix[n]arene methyl ethers via ipso-nitration and crystal structure of tetramethoxytetra-p-nitrocalix[4]arene

Nitration of p-tert-butylcalix[n]arene methyl ethers under a variety of reaction conditions has been examined. It has been determined that amongst different nitration procedures adopted (AlCl₃/KNO₃, HNO₃/CH₃COOH, HNO₃/(CH₃CO)₂O, cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate/CH₃COOH), ipso-nitration with CH₃COOH/HNO₃ gives best yields of p-nitrocalixarenes and work up conditions. ipso-Nitration of tetramethoxytetra-p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene gives tetramethoxytetra-p-nitrocalix[4]arene as triclinic crystals with space group with a=9.102(3) Å, b=11.623(3) Å, c=18.368(3) Å and α=77.99(2)°, β=81.10(2)°, γ=73.37(2)°. Its conformation is partial cone and it forms an exocylic 1:1 complex with DMF.     

Determination of cefuroxime axetil in tablets and biological fluids using liquid chromatography and flow injection analysis

In the present work, the separations of calixarene derivatives have been investigated using both high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis (NACE) techniques. HPLC-1 method with LC-318 (pore size = 300 Å) column and MeCN mobile phase was optimized for the separation of calixarenes. At the flow-rate of 1 ml/min p-nitrocalix[6]arene, calix[4]arene and calix[6]arene could be well baseline and symmetrically separated within 5 min. For the separation of p-tert-butylcalix[n]arenes (n = 4, 6, 8), HPLC-2 and NACE methods have been optimized. The optimal conditions in HPLC-2 method included NH₂ column and MeCN mobile phase, and p-tert-butylcalix[n]arenes (n = 4, 6, 8) were baseline separated within 10 min at 0.8 min/min. The optimal conditions for NACE method employed MeCN-H₂O (8:2, v/v) as the nonaqueous medium and 120 mM Tris/HCl (pH 9.0) as the buffer, and p-tert-butylcalix[n]arenes (n = 4, 6, 8) were successfully baseline resolved within 16 min. With the detection at 280 nm, the calibration lines were linear in the ranges of 1-200 μg/ml for calixarene derivatives by HPLC-1 and HPLC-2 methods, and of 2.5-200 μg/ml for p-tert-butylcalix[n]arenes (n = 4, 6, 8) by NACE method, respectively. The detection limits (S/N = 3) and recoveries ranged from 0.5 to 1.4 μg/ml and from 98.1 to 102.4% by both HPLC-1 and HPLC-2 methods, and from 1.3 to 2.0 μg/ml and from 97.9 to 105.1% by NACE method, respectively. The intra-day reproducibility of the methods was determined with satisfactory results. The proposed HPLC and NACE methods were accurate and reproducible, and could be utilized to separate and determine calixarene derivatives.     

Synthesis of new chiral calix[4]arene diamide derivatives for liquid phase extraction of α-amino acid methylesters

The synthesis of chiral diamide derivatives of calix[4]arene from the reaction of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene diester 1a and calix[4]arene diester 1b with various amino alcohols were reported. The ¹H and ¹³C NMR, data showed that the compounds synthesized exist in the cone conformation. The extraction study properties of these new compounds 3a,b–4a,b towards some selected α-amino acid methylesters are also reported.     

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.     

Stilbene-bridged 1,3-alternate calix[4]arene crown ether for selective alkali ion extraction

A series of stilbene-bridged calix[4]arenes was synthesized through an intramolecular reductive McMurry coupling of bisbenzaldehyde calix[4]arene in high yields. Tetra- and pentaethylene glycol chains were tethered to the phenolic groups of calix[4]arene to form stilbene-bridged calix[4]arene crown-5 and crown-6, respectively. The presence of stilbene bridge over the calix[4]arene rim effectively prevented the connection of the polyether chains in the cone conformation resulting in the exclusive formation of 1,3-alternate stilbene-bridged calix[4]arene crown product. Compared to the cone analogues, the 1,3-alternate calix[4]arene crown ethers showed a greater extraction ability and selectivity toward Cs⁺.     

Ab initio and density functional studies of cooperative hydrogen bonding in calix[4]-and calix[6]arenes

The cone conformation of C ₄ symmetry is shown by the Hartree-Fock method (3-21G basis) to be the predominant conformer of calix[4]arene; the compressed cone of C ₂ symmetry is the major conformer of calix[6]arene. Using quantum chemical methods we calculated hydrogen bond cleavage energies for calix[4]-(ab initio and density functional methods) and calix[6]arene (ab initio), and also for the complex of calix[4]arene with carbon disulfide. These energies along with structural data point to the cooperative effect of hydrogen bonds. The results of these studies provided an explanation to the greater conformational lability of calix[6]arene compared with calix[4]arene molecules. It is also predicted that the nucleophilic substitution reaction involving calix[6]arene in the presence of weak bases and in aprotic solvents, as well as in the gas phase, will occur via diastereomeric transition states.     

Microwave-assisted synthesis of resorcin[4]arene and pyrogallol[4]arene macrocycles

A series of resorcin[4]arene and pyrogallol[4]arene macrocycles have been synthesized efficiently within 5 min, affording crystalline products suitable for single crystal X-ray diffraction, utilising microwave irradiation in a ‘one-pot’ reaction whilst controlling the selective formation of the rccc cone stereoisomer.     

Conformationally Selective Synthesis of Mononitrocalix[4]arene in Cone or Partial Cone

Nitro‐substituted calixarenes in a cone and a partial cone conformation were prepared selectively using distinct synthetic routes. The selective nitration of tris‐ or penta‐substituted phenols of calix[4]arene or calix[6]arene provided mononitrocalix[n ]arenes (n  =  4, 6). Subsequent addition of ethylene glycol (EG) moieties to mononitrocalix[4]arene provided tetraEGylcalix[4]arene in locked partial cone conformation. By an alternative route – initial addition of EG moieties to the non‐derivatized calix[4]arene followed by the uncontrolled nitration – provided mononitro‐ and dinitro‐tetraEGylcalix[4]arenes locked in the cone conformation. These nitrocalix[4]arenes with locked cone or partial cone conformation are useful building blocks for further assembly of supramolecular systems, especially in the area of material sciences.     

Upper rim tetrathiafulvalene-bridged calix[4]arenes

The synthesis of novel upper rim calix[4]arene-tetrathiafulvalene conjugates 1a-d has been performed by bridging the tetrachloromethylated calix[4]arene derivative 4 with the corresponding tetrathiafulvalene-dithiolates. The cyclic voltammetry of 1a-d shows a two-step oxidation behavior, whereas NMR binding titrations showed their binding affinity to pyridinium salts. X-ray structure of 4 features calixarene fixed in the pinched cone conformation; its crystal packing is defined by the network of C-H···Cl weak hydrogen bonds.     

Bridge-disubstituted calix[4]arenes obtained via a new preparative route. Synthesis and structural study

A series of calix[4]arenes bearing various substituents including alkyl, p-bromobenzyl, carboxy and allyl at opposite methylene bridges has been synthesized via successive metallation followed by nucleophilic substitution. In a first step, mono-lithiated calix[4]arenes react with terminal bromoalkanes to give 2-alkylated calix[4]arenes or with CO₂ the respective calixarene-2-carboxylic acid in good yields. A second lithiation step of the monosubstituted products with subsequent attachment of both polar and non-polar substituents yields several new diametrally bridge-disubstituted calix[4]arenes. 2D-NMR measurements establish the disubstituted calixarenes to predominantly adopt the 1,2-alternate conformation in solution. First examples of X-ray crystal structures of the new type of disubstituted calix[4]arenes are described featuring the calix[4]arene also in the rare 1,2-alternate conformation.     

Synthesis and binding properties of carboxylphenyl-modified calix[4]arenes and cytochrome c

Two novel carboxylphenyl-modified calix[4]arenes, tetrakis-carboxylphenylcalix[4]arene (TCPC) and 1,3-bis-carboxylphenylcalix[4]arene (BCPC), as well as a corresponding analogue for comparison, tetrakis-phenylcalix[4]arene (TPC), have been synthesized by palladium-catalyzed Suzuki cross-coupling of arylboronic acid and tetrabromocalix[4]arene as a key step. The binding properties of these calix[4]arene derivatives with bovine heart cytochrome c (cyt c) in dimethylformamide (DMF) was investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy. The binding affinity in the order of TCPC > BCPC ? TPC reflects a clear dependence on the number of carboxyl ligating groups attached onto a receptor and suggests the electrostatic force may be the predominant factor driving the complexing process. The stable 1:1 complexes of TCPC and BCPC with cyt c were evidenced with the binding constants of 3.15 × 10⁶ and 5.85 × 10⁵ L mol⁻¹, respectively. Due to a large overlap between the emission spectrum of TCPC and the absorption spectrum of cyt c, and a short interaction distance (estimated to be 5.6 nm) between them, the fluorescence quenching of TCPC upon complexation with cyt c is attributed to an efficient energy transfer.     

Studies on Properties of p—Nitrophenylazo Calix[4]arene Derivatives

The p-nitrophenylazo calix[4] arene derivatives la-ld with nonlinear optical(NLO)properties were prepared by the diazo-coupling reaction of calix[4]arene with p-nitrophenyl diazonium.The diazotization reaction of p-nltroaniline was caried out with isoamyl nitrite as a source of nitrous acid in EtONa/EtOH under refluxing conditon.X-Ray crystallographic analysis and ^1H NMR sptectra reveal that they exist as cone conformation in crystal state or in soution.HRS measurements at 1064 nm in THF indicate that p-nitrophenylazo calix[4]arenes have higher hyperpolarizability βz values than the corresponding reference compound 4-(4-nitrophenylazo)-2,6-dimethyl-phenol,without red shift of the charge transfer band.The tetrakis p-nitropheylazo calix[4]arene(2)with longer alkyl chains can form monolayer aht the air/water interface.     

Calix[4]Arenes in the partial cone conformation as ionophores in silver ion-selective electrodes

Two calix[4]arene derivatives, in the partial cone conformation, with sulfur-containing functionalities, were tested as neutral carrier ionophores in potentiometric silver-selective electrodes of conventional membrane and membrane-coated glassy carbon electrode types. Comparison with a calix[4]arene in the cone conformation was made. The membranes were prepared using either 2-nitrophenyl octyl ether or bis(ethylhexyl)sebacate as plasticizers and potassium tetrakis(p-chlorophenyl)borate as the lipophilic salt in a poly(vinyl chloride) matrix. Both calix[4]arenes yielded electrodes of good sensitivity (approx. 47 mV dec⁻¹) in the range 10⁻⁴–10⁻¹ M and excellent selectivity [log K_Ag,_MH+ < −1.5] of transition, alkali and heavy metal cations, including sodium, mercury(II) and lead(II) cations. Temperature effects and reproducibility of response were determined and the interfering effects of mercury(II) and lead (II) ions on the membranes were noted. The partial cone conformation allows improved selectivity over certain cations relative to calix[4]arenes in the cone conformation.     

Studies on Properties of Tetra‐p‐nitro‐tetra‐O‐alkylcalix[4]arenes

Ibis paper reports the properties of the novel tetra‐p‐nitro‐tetra‐O‐alkyl‐calix[4]arenes (alkyl= n‐C₄H₉, 1; n‐C₈H₁₇ 2; n‐C₁₂H₂₅, 3; n‐C₁₆H₃₃, 4). X‐ray crystallographic analysis and ¹H NMR revealed that they exist as pinched‐cone conformation in crystal or cone conformation in solution. EFISH experiments at 1064 nm in CHCl₃, indicated that tetra‐p‐nitro‐tetra‐O‐butyl‐calix[4]arene (1) has higher hyperpolarizability β, values than the corresponding reference compound p‐nitro‐phenyl butyl ether, without red shift of the charge transfer band. Compounds 2, 3 and 4 with longer alkyl chains can form monolayer at the air/water.     

Convenient direct synthesis of bisformylated calix[4]arenes via ipso substitution

[reaction: see text] A facile synthesis of bisformylated calix[4]arenes via ipso substitution of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arenes through treatment with hexamethylenetetramine/trifluoroacetic acid is described. Under identical conditions, p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene tetramethyl ether 4 gives proximally substituted bisformylated derivative 4a in a pinched cone conformation.