Synthesis and crystal structures of Ag and Hg complexes of bis(N-heterocyclic carbenes) on p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene platform

A series of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene 1,3-diimidazolium salts were successfully prepared by the alkylation of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene with dibromoalkanes, and sequential substitution reaction with 1-alkylimidazole. Furthermore, coordination reactions of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene 1,3-diimidazolium salts with silver oxide and mercury acetate gave novel Ag and Hg complexes of bis(N-heterocyclic carbenes) on p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene platform. The single-crystal structures of four p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene 1,3-diimidazolium salts and three metal complexes were successfully determined by X-ray diffraction. An Ag–Ag argentophilic interaction (Ag–Ag bond length is 3.1599(6) Å) is formed between the two Ag–NHC complexes and a dimetallic coordination mode exists in Hg–NHC complexes.     

Ion transport across membranes prepared by gel crystallization

A one-step procedure for the preparation of ion-selective membranes is described. The method employs the thermally induced gel crystallization of ultrahigh molecular weight poly(ethylene) (UHMW-PE) from a dilute xylene solution. After evaporation of the xylene, a microporous UHMW-PE film remains, which can serve as the support for liquid and polymeric ion-selective membranes. The addition of a membrane solvent and suitable receptor molecules to the xylene solution allows a one-step incorporation of these membrane components into the UHMW-PE support. The influence of the preparation conditions of the UHMW-PE support on the rates of the p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene tetraethylester-mediated transport of NaClO₄ was studied. Two concepts to improve the life-time of the membranes are introduced. In a first approach, the addition of photocrosslinkable nitril-substituted siloxane copolymers to the membrane phase has been evaluated. The enhanced viscosity of the membrane phase reduces leaching of carrier and solvent molecules from the membrane into the aqueous phases. In a second approach, the solvent is omitted and the membrane-phase merely consists of a benzo-15-crown-5 or calix[4]arene modified siloxane-copolymer, which is substituted to such a degree that ion transport no longer has to take place via diffusion of host–guest complexes but by jumping of the cations from one fixed carrier to a neighboring carrier. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 36 : 383–394, 1998     

Arene Selectivity by a Flexible Coordination Polymer Host

The coordination polymers [Ag₄(O₂CCF₃)₄(phen)₃] ? phen ? arene ( 1? phen ? arene) (phen=phenazine; arene=toluene, p‐xylene or benzene) have been synthesised from the solution phase in a series of arene solvents and crystallographically characterised. By contrast, analogous syntheses from o‐xylene and m‐xylene as the solvent yield the solvent‐free coordination polymer [Ag₄(O₂CCF₃)₄(phen)₂] ( 2 ). Toluene, p‐xylene and benzene have been successfully used in mixed‐arene syntheses to template the formation of coordination polymers 1? phen ? arene, which incorporate o‐ or m‐xylene. The selectivity of 1? phen ? arene for the arene guests was determined, through pairwise competition experiments, to be p‐xylene>toluene≈benzene>o‐xylene>m‐xylene. The largest selectivity coefficient was determined as 14.2 for p‐xylene:m‐xylene and the smallest was 1.0 for toluene:benzene.     

Chromatographic molecular recognition for catechol-related compounds using thiacalix[4]arene as an effective selector

Thiacalix[4]arene (5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25,26,27,28-tetrahydroxy-2,8,14,20-tetrathiacalix[4]arene) is an amphiphilic molecule comprising four p-tert-butylphenol-like groups ortho-linked by single sulfur atoms. This molecule has a high electron density area owing to the close proximity of the hydroxyl groups and sulfur atoms. We studied the applicability of this interesting compound as a selector for high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) thereby presumably exploiting this feature. Firstly, uniformly sized polymer particles were prepared by using a multi-step swelling and polymerization method with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EDMA) as a cross-linker. Methacrylic acid (MAA) was introduced onto the surface of the resulting polymer particles through a new modification method. Thiacalix[4]arene was chemically bonded through the MAA group by using 1,4-dibromobutane as a spacer to reduce steric hindrance around the MAA and the polymer particle itself. The performance of the prepared polymer-based thiacalix[4]arene-modified stationary phase was evaluated with HPLC. Specific chromatographic retention behavior was observed for catechol relative to positional isomers of xylene, cresol, and benzene-diol. Catecholamine and catechol showed specific chromatographic retention behavior.     

Azocalixarenes. 6: Synthesis, complexation, extraction and thermal behaviour of four new azocalix[4]arenes

Four new azocalix[4]arenes {5,11,17,23-tetrakis[(2-hydroxy-5-tert-butylphenylazo)]-25,26,27,28-tetrahydroxycalix[4]arene (1), 5,11,17,23-tetrakis[(2-hydroxy-5-nitro phenylazo)]-25,26,27,28-tetrahydroxycalix[4]arene (2), 5,11,17,23-tetrakis[(2-amino-5-carboxylphenylazo)]-25,26,27,28-tetrahydroxycalix[4]arene (3) and 5,11,17,23-tetrakis[(1-amino-2-hydroxy-4-sulfonicacidnapthylazo)]-25,26,27,28-tetrahydroxycalix[4]arene (4)} have been synthesized from p-tert-butylphenol, p-nitrophenol, p-aminobenzoic acid and 1-amino-2-hydroxy-4-sulphonic acid by diazo coupling reaction with p-aminocalix[4]arene. The resulting ligands (1–4) were treated with three transition metal salts (e.g., CuCl₂·2H₂O, NiCl₂·6H₂O or CoCl₂·6H₂O). Cu(II), Ni(II) and Co(II) complexes of the azocalix[4]arene derivatives were obtained and characterized by UV-vis, IR, ¹H-NMR spectroscopic techniques and elemental analysis. All the complexes have a metal:ligand ratio of 2:1. The Cu(II) and Ni(II) complexes of azocalix[4]arenes are square-planar, while the Co(II) complexes of azocalix[4]arenes are octahedral with water molecules as axial ligands. The solvent extraction of various transition metal cations from the aqueous phase to the organic phase was carried out by using azocalix[4]arenes (1–4). It was found that, azocalix[4]arenes 1, 2 and 3 examined selectivity for transition metal cations such as Ag⁺, Hg⁺ and Hg²⁺. In addition, the thermal stability of metal:azocalix[4]arene complexes were also reported. Dedicated to Prof. Dr. Mustafa Yılmaz on the occasion of his 50th birthday     

Liquid-liquid extraction of transition and alkali metal cations by a new calixarene: Diphenylphosphino calix[4]arene methyl ether

The liquid-liquid extraction of various metal ions by a diphenylphosphino calix[4]arene (1) using picrate counter ion has been studied and compared with those ofp-tert-butyl-calix[4]arene methyl ether (2) and triphenylphosphine (3). The calixarene 1 shows strong binding ability to almost all metal cations examined, but calixarene 2 shows little ability to extract any of them. Based on the continuous variation method, calixarene 1 formed 1: 2 complexes with copper(II) ion.     

Comparative study on the transition metal complexes of a novel thiacalix[4]arene derivative

A comparative study on Zn²⁺ and Cu²⁺ complexes of the novel compound 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25,27-bis{[4-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl]methoxy}-2,8,14,20-tetrathiacalix[4]arene, that possesses potential as a core unit for the construction of molecular receptors, is presented using semiempirical AM1 calculation. The possible structures of each metal complex and their corresponding energetic data are compared with the parent 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-2,8,14,20-tetrathiacalix[4]arene. The complexation ability of both thiacalix[4]arenes towards the two metal ions is discussed on the basis of binding energies. Both thiacalix[4]arene 1:1 complexes show higher complexation ability towards Cu²⁺. However, 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25,27-bis{[4-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl]methoxy}-2,8,14,20-tetrathiacalix[4]arene presents lower complexation ability when compared with the 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-2,8,14,20-tetrathiacalix[4]arene. The results of liquid–liquid extraction experiments of the thiacalix[4]arenes are in good agreement with the theoretical calculations.     

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     

Energies of charge transfer and supramolecular interactions of some mono O-substituted calix[6]arenes with [60]fullerene by absorption spectrometric method

Equilibria for the formation of supramolecular complexes of [60]fullerene with a series of mono O-substituted calix[6]arenes, namely: (i) 37-methoxy-38,39,40,41,42-pentahydroxy-5,11,17,23,29,35-hexa(4-tert-butyl)calix[6]arene (1), (ii) 37-allyl-38,39,40,41,42-pentahydroxy-5,11,17,23,29,35-hexa(4-tert-butyl)calix[6]arene (2), (iii) 37-phenacyl-38,39,40,41,42-pentahydroxy-5,11,17,23,29,35-hexa(4-tert-butyl)calix[6]arene (3), (iv) 37-ethylester-38,39,40,41,42-pentahydroxy-5,11,17,23,29,35-hexa(4-tert-butyl)calix[6]arene (4) and (v) 37-benzyl-38,39,40,41,42-pentahydroxy-5,11,17,23,29,35-hexa(4-tert-butyl)calix[6]arene (5) have been studied in CCl4 medium by absorption spectroscopic technique. The stoichiometry has been found to be 1:1 ([60]fullerene:calix[6]arene) in each case. An absorption band due to charge transfer (CT) transition is observed in each case in the visible region. The vertical ionisation potentials (I(D)(v)) of all the calix[6]arenes under study have been estimated utilising CT transition energy. The experimental I(D)(v) values also yield a good estimate of the electron affinity of [60]fullerene. The degrees of CT in the ground state of the complexes have been found to be very low (about 0.15%). Resonance energy of the complexes have been estimated. Thermodynamic parameters for the supramolecular complex formation of [60]fullerene with mono O-substituted calix[6]arene receptors are reported. It is observed that among the calix[6]arenes under the present study, only 1 and 4 form inclusion complexes with [60]fullerene. This has also been substantiated by theoretical calculation using PM3 method. Thus presence of one substituent group (of different types) on the lower rim of the calix[6]arene molecule has been shown to govern the host-guest complexation process.     

Separation of xylenes by extractive crystallization with calixarenes

Several calixarenes1–5 and benzopinacolone6 were recrystallized from 1:1:1 mixtures of the three xylene isomers.p-Iso-propylcalix[4]arene 1 was shown to extractp-xylene with 86% selectivity.p-Iso-propylbishomooxacalix[4]arene5 extractso-xylene with 84% selectivity.     

X-Ray Structure of an Inclusion Compound of 5,5'-Biscalix[4]arene-hexabenzoate with Toluene

The structure of the 1:3 complex between 5,5'-biscalix[4]arene-hexabenzoateand toluene has been determined by a single crystal X-ray diffraction study. Thetwo calix[4]arene subunits of the 5,5'-biscalix[4]arene system are related by aninversion center and are joined by an eclipsed biphenyl para-para linkage. Each calix[4]arene moiety displays a 1,3-alternate conformation and includes a toluene molecule within two opposite benzoate groups, while a third toluene molecule lies close to a crystallographic inversion center.     

para‐Sulfonated Calixarenes Used as Synthetic Receptors for Complexing Photolabile Cholinergic Ligand

The water‐soluble tetra‐, hexa‐ and octasulfonated calix[4]arenes, calix[6]arenes, and calix[8]arenes 1 – 3 , respectively, were investigated as potential synthetic receptors for photolabile cholinergic ligand A , a photolytic precursor of choline. Ligand A is a bifunctional molecule carrying a photolabile 2‐nitrobenzyl group at one end and a choline moiety at the other end. Results from NMR studies have shown that calixarenes 1 – 3 form stable 1 : 1 complexes with A , having similar binding potential to that observed with the cholinergic enzymes acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase. Further studies have suggested that calix[8]arene forms a ditopic complex by binding concomitantly to both the cationic choline moiety and the aromatic photolabile group of A , whereas calix[4]arene and calix[6]arene form monotopic complexes with A . The ditopic complex between calix[8]arene and A results from mutually induced fitting process, while the monotopic complexes between calix[4]arene and A can be regulated by pH: at neutral pH, calix[4]arene specifically binds the cationic choline moiety, while, at acidic pH, it complexes unselectively both the cationic choline moiety and the aromatic group of A . Our results show that para‐sulfonated calixarenes are versatile artificial receptors which bind in various ways to the bifunctional photolabile cholinergic ligand A , depending on their size, geometry, and state of protonation.     

Determination of Tryptophan using a p-Sulfonated Calix [4,6,8]arene Modified Gold Electrode

The ability of p-sulfonated calix[n]arenes (n = 4, 6, 8) to form complexes with tryptophan was studied. The electrochemical properties of these complexes immobilized on gold surfaces were examined by cyclic voltammetry. Parameters affecting the performance of the modified electrodes including the arene concentration, scan rate, applied potential, and pH were optimized. Under the optimal conditions, the method had a linear response to tryptophan between 1 × 10^?7 M and 1 × 10^?5 M with a detection limit of 3 × 10^?8 M. The interaction of the tryptophan–p-sulfonated calix[4]arene complex was more stable than the tryptophan–p-sulfonated calix[6]arene and p-sulfonated calix[8]arene complexes. Molecular modeling calculations indicated that electrostatic interactions and structural matching effects were predominant stabilizing factors. The modified electrodes demonstrated good reproducibility and high selectivity, illustrating their effectiveness for analytical measurements.     

Synthesis and Properties of New Thiacalixarene Derivatives with Palladium Ion

Three new thiacalix[4]arene derivatives, 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25,27-di(2-hydroxyethoxy)-26,28-dihydroxythiacalix-{}[4]arene (2), 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-25, 26,27,28-tetrakis[(methylcarboxyl)methoxy]thiacalix[4]arene (3),5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25,26,27,28-tetrakis(2-hydroxy-1-propanoxy)thiacalix[4]arene (4), were synthesized for the first time. The coordination properties of thiacalix[4]arene(1) and its derivatives (2 and 4) were investigated by detecting the interactions betweenthese compounds and two palladium complexes, cis-[Pd(en)(H₂O)₂]²⁺ and cis-[Pd(dtco-3-OH)(H₂O)₂]²⁺, by means of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) technique.     

p-tert-Butylcalix[4]arene Derivatives Containing Azathiol Receptors and Their Recognition towards Hg(II)

25,27(2,2'-bis(ethoxybenzyl))-1,9-diimine-3,7-dithianonane-p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene (3),25,27(4,4'-bis(ethoxybenzyl))-1,9-diimine-3,7-dithianonane-p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene (4),25,27(2,2'-bis(ethoxybenzyl))-1,8-diimine-3,6-dithianonane-p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene (5) and25,27(4,4'-bis(ethoxybenzyl))-1,8-diimine-3,6-dithianonane-p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene (6) havebeen synthesized by condensation reactions between25,27(2,2'-bis(ethoxybenzaldehyde))-p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene (1) and25,27(4,4'-bis(ethoxybenzaldehyde))-p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene (2) and appropriateamines. Reduction of 3 and 4 withNaBH₄ and subsequent protonation byHCl/CH₃OH resulted in25,27(2,2'-bis(ethoxybenzyl))-1,9-diaza-3,7-dithianonane-p-tert-butylcalix[4]arenedihydrogenchloride (7) and25,27(4,4'-bis(ethoxybenzyl))-1,9-diaza-3,7-dithianonane-p-tert-butylcalix[4]arenedihydrogenchloride (8), respectively. Complexation studies of 7 and 8 withZn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) ions were carried out bypotentiometric titration. Compounds 7 and8 selectively form 1 : 1 complexes with Hg(II), andtheir stability constants (log Ks) were estimated tobe 4.47 ± 0.08 and 3.20 ± 0.13, respectively. From spiecies distribution plots, 7 and 8were found to form the highest amount of 1 : 1 complexes with Hg(II) at pH 8.7 and 9.1, respectively.     

Separation of Linear and Branched Alkanes Using Host–Guest Complexation of Cyclic and Branched Alkane Vapors by Crystal State Pillar[6]arene

Activated crystals of pillar[6]arene produced by removing the solvent upon heating were able to take up branched and cyclic alkane vapors as a consequence of their gate‐opening behavior. The uptake of branched and cyclic alkane vapors by the activated crystals of pillar[6]arene induced a crystal transformation to form one‐dimensional channel structures. However, the activated crystals of pillar[6]arene hardly took up linear alkane vapors because the cavity size of pillar[6]arene is too large to form stable complexes with linear alkanes. This shape‐selective uptake behavior of pillar[6]arene was further utilized for improving the research octane number of an alkane mixture of isooctane and n‐heptane: interestingly, the research octane number was dramatically improved from a low research octane number (17 %) to a high research octane number (>99 %) using the activated crystals of pillar[6]arene.     

Supramolecular Detoxification of Colchicine through Electrochemical Recognition

The complex characteristics of p-sulfonated calix[n]arene and colchicine were examined using various techniques. Cyclic voltammetry indicated that the structural matching and electrostatic interactions were the dominant stabilizing factors for the host–guest complexes. The method showed a long linear voltammetric range for p-sulfonated calix[4]arene from 1?×?10^?8 to 1?×?10^?6?mol?L^?1 with a detection limit of 3?×?10^?9?mol?L^?1. Ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy confirmed that a 1:1 ratio complex was formed. Molecular mechanics showed that the benzene ring of colchicine entered the p-sulfonated calix[4]arene cavity. The solubility of colchicine increased with the p-sulfonated calix[4]arene concentration 50-fold from 0.13 to 6.4?mol?L^?1. The simulation of cell membrane permeability indicated that colchicine was released from the colchicine-p-sulfonated calix[4]arene complex and entered the hydrophobic micelles. These results show that p-sulfonated calix[4]arene is suitable as a drug carrier for colchicine. This work has expanded applications of drug loading, transport, and targeted release for the treatment of gout.     

Host–Guest Complexation Using Pillar[5]arene Crystals: Crystal-Structure Dependent Uptake,Release, and Molecular Dynamics of an Alkane Guest

Host–guest complexation has been mainly investigated in solution, and it is unclear how guest molecules access the assembled structures of host and dynamics of guest molecules in the crystal state. In this study, we studied the uptake, release, and molecular dynamics of n-hexane vapor in the crystal state of pillar[5]arenes bearing different substituents. Pillar[5]arene bearing 10 ethyl groups yielded a crystal structure of herringbone-type 1:1 complexes with n-hexane, whereas pillar[5]arene with 10 allyl groups formed 1:1 complexes featuring a one-dimensional (1D) channel structure. For pillar[5]arene bearing 10 benzyl groups, one molecule of n-hexane was located in the cavity of pillar[5]arene, and another n-hexane molecule was located outside of the cavity between two pillar[5]arenes. The substituent-dependent differences in molecular arrangement influenced the uptake, release, and molecular dynamics of the n-hexane guest. The substituent effects were not observed in host–guest chemistry in solution, and these features are unique for the crystal state host–guest chemistry of pillar[5]arenes.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of a binuclear zirconium complex of tetraanionic p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene bridged by methanol

A zirconium complex with the p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene anion was synthesized and its crystal structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis. The complex [Zr(μ₂-CH₃OH)(p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene)]₂·9H₂O (1) belongs to the orthorhombic system, space group Pnnm, with a?=?20.436(16), b?=?12.160(8), c?=?20.305(12)?Å, V?=?6774(7)?ų and Z?=?2. In Complex 1 zirconium coordinates to four phenolic anions of the deprotonated p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene and is bridged by two methanol molecules; the p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene adopts a cone conformation.     

Supramolecular interactions of [60]- and [70]fullerenes with calix[n]arenes

[60]- and [70]fullerenes have been shown to form 1:1 supramolecular complexes with (i) 24,26-dimethoxy-25,27-dihydroxy-5,11,17,23-tetra(4-tert-butyl)calix[4]arene (1) and (ii) 37,39,41-trimethoxy-38,40,42-trihydroxy-5,11,17,23,29,35-hexa(4-tert-butyl)calix[6]arene (2) in CCl(4) medium by absorption spectroscopy. Charge transfer absorption bands of the complexes have been located in each of the cases (except [70]fullerene-2 complex) studied from which the vertical ionisation potential of 1 has been obtained. Formation constants of the complexes have been determined at four different temperatures from which the enthalpies and entropies of formation of the complexes have been obtained. Moreover, the formation constant of [70]fullerene-2 complex is higher than that of the [60]fullerene-1 and [60]fullerene-2 complexes at all the four temperatures studied. This has been accounted in terms of greater cavity size of 2 which is a calix[6]arene compared to 1 which is a calix[4]arene and also by the fact that a high degree of preorganisation takes place in case of 2 through intramolecular H-bonding at its lower rim.