Sterically and guest-controlled self-assembly of calix[4]arene derivatives

In solvents such as chloroform or benzene, tetraurea calix[4]arenes 1 form dimeric capsules in which one solvent molecule is usually included as guest. To explore the structural requirements for the formation of such hydrogen-bonded dimers we replaced one p-tolylurea residue by a simple acetamide function. The resulting calix[4]arene 2 a, substituted at its wide rim with one acetamide and three p-tolylurea functions, assumes a C(1)-symmetrical conformation in apolar solvents as shown by (1)H NMR, which is not compatible with the usual capsule. In the crystalline state, four molecules of 2 a, adopting a pinched cone conformation, assemble into a quasi S(4)-symmetrical tetramer stabilized by a cyclic array of 24 NH.O==C hydrogen bonds and four NH.pi interactions. Four acetamide groups are hydrogen-bonded to each other and pack tightly in the center of the assembly. All polar residues are buried inside the tetramer, the surface of which is lipophilic. Extensive NMR studies revealed similar structures in apolar solvents such as [D]chloroform or [D(6)]benzene for calixacetamides 2 a-c. The formation of these tetramers in solution is critically dependent on the size of the amide fragment, so that propionamide 2 d, butyramide 2 e, and p-tolylamide 2 f form only ill-defined aggregates. This is caused by steric crowding inside the tetrameric assembly. The tetramers persist during molecular dynamics simulations, and the optimized average structure of the MD run is similar to that found in the crystalline state. Theoretical studies revealed that cooperation of hydrogen bonds with multiple NH.pi, C--H.pi, and pi.pi attractions make the tetramer more stable than the capsular dimer with the solvent as guest. In the presence of tetraethylammonium salts, however, compounds 2 a-e form dimeric capsular assemblies, each incorporating a single ammonium cation. Only one of two possible regioisomeric dimers is formed, in which both acetamide groups are surrounded by two urea residues. These examples give striking evidence of how self-assembly in solution can be strongly dependent on subtle structural factors and of how the formation of dimeric capsules can be induced by the presence of an appropriate guest.     

新型杯[4]芳烃衍生物的合成及其氨基酸萃取性能

杯[4]-1,3-二乙酸乙酯衍生物(1)与水合肼反应生成杯[4]芳烃酰肼衍生物(2),化合物(2)与异硫氰酸苯酯反应得到含酰胺和硫脲单元的新型杯[4]芳烃衍生物(3).总产率达70%.系列氨基酸萃取实验表明化合物(3)对异亮氨酸有较好的选择性萃取能力.     

Synthesis and fluorescence sensing properties of novel pyrene-armed calix[4]arene derivatives

Fluorogenic tert-butylcalix[4]arenes bearing two pyrene pendant groups at the lower rim were synthesized. Based on ratiometric changes of monomer and excimer emissions, the pyrene amine derivative of calix[4]arene has been found to act as a selective sensor for Pb²⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions, respectively, due to a conformational change upon chelation of these ions.     

Allosteric coextraction of sodium and metal ions with calix[4]arene derivatives 1

Solvent extraction of three alkali metal ions with p-t-octylcalix[6]arene hexacarboxylic acid, p-t-octylcalix[4]arene tetracarboxylic acid, corresponding linear trimeric and monomeric analogs was investigated. Cyclic tetramer selectively extracts sodium ion among alkali ions at extremely low pH, while the corresponding cyclic hexamer, the trimer, and the monomer exhibited only poor extraction ability for all alkali metals examined. The detailed extractive investigation of sodium ions with the cyclic tetramer was carried out. It was found that two sodium ions are simultaneously extracted by a single molecule of calix[4]arene derivative and that the second sodium extraction is facilitated by the uptake of the first sodium. The self-coextraction mechanism of sodium ions proposed in the present paper also strongly supports allosteric coextraction of sodium and other metal ions. In the competitive extraction of four alkali metal ions, potassium ion was slightly extracted as the second ion at low pH region, whereas it was hardly extracted in the individual extraction system. The result also supports the coextraction mechanism and role of the first-extracted sodium ion as an allosteric trigger. The extraction equilibrium constants of the cyclic tetramer and two sodium ions, K _ex1 and K _ex2, were estimated.     

Transition metal-directed self-assembly of calix[4]arene based dithiocarbamate ligands

The transition metal-directed self-assembly of dithiocarbamate ligand functionalized upper and lower rim calix[4]arenes affords novel dimeric bimetallic bis(calix[4]arene) species as determined by a combination of analytical methods including X-ray crystallography. An exception is a zinc(II) dithiocarbamate upper rim calix[4]arene assembly which is monomeric in nature. Electrochemical investigations reveal the bimetallic copper(II) bis(calix[4]arene) systems can electrochemically sense dihydrogen phosphate and carboxylate anions via significant cathodic perturbations of the respective copper(II)/(III) dithiocarbamate oxidation wave.     

Exclusive self-assembly of a polar dimeric capsule between tetraurea calix[4]pyrrole and tetraurea calix[4]arene

The exclusive self-sorting observed in the self-assembly process between tetraurea benzyl calix[4]pyrroles and tetraurea tolyl calix[4]arene to afford unprecedented hybrid dimeric capsules with polar interiors is described. The coencapsulation of a solvent molecule with an organic guest yields four particle aggregates in which the guests are confined and restricted into single hemispheres due to the polar requirements of the internal cavity.     

Synthesis of upper rim calix[4]arene carcerands

The synthesis of novel tetra-olefinic calix[4]arene carcerands is described using a synthetic strategy involving palladium catalysed Heck coupling followed by imine formation.     

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.     

Synthesis and binding properties of calix[4]arene telomers

Two calix[4]arene derivatives (5 and 8) and their telomers are synthesized to estimate selective extraction of alkali and transition metal cations from the aqueous to the organic phase (chloroform). Compound 5 shows selectivity toward Hg²⁺. Compound 8 and telomers 6 and 9 are not selective but are good extractants for all used transition metal ions. The observations suggest that ethylene glycol bridges are efficient for carrying transition metal cations in a two-phase solvent system. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 4351–4355, 1999     

Photo-physical properties of the transition metal ions complexes of the calix[4]arene derivatives

The complexing properties of the calix[4]arene having two anthracene moieties at the upper rim toward transition metal ions and their photo-physical properties have been studied. The presence of a Schiff Base unit allows the chelation of transition metal cations such as Cu²⁺, Co³⁺, which leads to a weakening of the charge transfer process in the absorption spectrum and to an enhancement of the fluorescence of the anthracene moiety.     

Complexation of di-benzyloxy ether derivatives of calix[4]arene with alkali earth metal cations

The synthesis and complexing abilities of 26,28-bis-benzyloxy-25,27-dihydroxy-5,11,17,23-tetra-tertbutyl-calix[4]arene towards alkali earth metal ions Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, and Ba²⁺ in a methanol-chloroform mixture have been evaluated at 25°C, using UV-Vis spectrophotometric techniques. The results showed that the ligand is capable to complex all alkali earth cations by 1:1 metal to ligand ratios. The selectivity presented considering the calculated stability constants are in the order Mg²⁺ > Ca²⁺ > Sr²⁺ > Ba²⁺ towards the ligand.     

Synthesis and self-assembly of novel calix[4]arenocrowns: formation of calix[4]areno[2]catenanes

A series of novel calix[4]arenocrowns 1a-c were efficiently synthesized by a one-pot reaction of calix[4]monohydroquinone diacetate 5 with ditosylate 6 and its analogues in the presence of sodium hydroxide. It was found that the calix[4]arenocrowns could form stable pseudorotaxane-type complexes 2a-c with paraquat, and further self-assemble into calix[4]areno[2]catenanes 3a-c with dicationic salt 8 and p-bis(bromomethyl)benzene.     

Heterodimerization studies of calix[4]arene derivatives in polar solvents

[reaction: see text] Several calix[4]arene derivatives propylated on the lower rim and substituted on the upper rim with amino or carboxyl groups have been synthesized. Examples include calixarenes substituted with alanino (C- and N-linked), amino, carboxy, carboxyphenyl, and amidino groups. The self-assembly of these derivatized calixarenes into heterodimers has been studied by NMR in DMSO-d(6) or CD(3)OD with 5% aqueous phosphate buffer.     

Asymmetric calix[4]-thiacalix[4]arene tubes: Synthesis and ionophore properties

Asymmetric p-tert-butylcalix[4]-p-R-thiacalix[4]arene tubes (R = tert-Bu, H, 1-adamantyl) were prepared for the first time by reaction of tosyloxyethoxy derivative of p-tert-butylcalix-[4]arene and the corresponding p-R-thiacalix[4]arenas in acetonitrile in the presence of K₂CO₃. Complex formation of compounds obtained with sodium, potassium, and rubidium iodides in CDCl₃-CD₃OD, 4:1, was studied by means of ¹H NMR. The ionophore properties of the molecule were governed by the character of substituents on the upper rim of the thiacalixarene fragment, and only the molecular tube containing a fragment of the p-(1-adamantyl)-thiacalix[4]arene quantitatively bound potassium ions (quickly) and rubidium ions (slowly).     

Synthesis and crystal structure of p-acylated calix[4]arene ethers

C-acylation of calix[n]arenes is an important reaction which has been primarily utilized for their further functionalization to provide conformers with varying shapes, cavity dimensions and molecular receptor characteristics that can bind ionic and neutral species in a selective and specific manner. The length of the alkyl chain at the upper or the lower rim of calixarenes can be adjusted as required to give derivatives which can span the channels and membranes and majorly influence transport phenomenon. As a part of our program to obtain calixarene based derivatives that can span and scan artificial membranes, C-acylation of calix[4]arene has been examined to yield peracylated and partially acylated calixarene ethers. 5,11,17,23-Tetraacetyl-25,26,27,28-tetramethoxycalix[4]arene has been obtained in 80 % yield by treatment of tetramethoxycalix[4]arene with acetyl chloride in the presence of aluminum chloride using dichloromethane as the solvent. The structure was established by the conversion to corresponding phenyl hydrazones and oximes. The tetraacetyltetramethoxycalix[4]arene 2a crystallized in a monoclinic lattice, space group P2₁/C with a = 10.320(2) Å, b = 18.928(4) Å, c = 18.421(4) Å, β = 95.44(3)^o, Z = 4. The corresponding methyl substituted O7 directs inwards towards the cavities of calix[4]arene to give an inward flattened partial cone conformation. Molecular packing shows the presence of intermolecular C–H···O, H-bonding interactions between methyl and methylene hydrogens and oxygens of the acetyl groups.     

Synthesis and fluorescence enhancement of oligophenylene-substituted calix[4]arene assemblies

Tetra-oligophenylene substituted calix[4]arene assemblies containing up to three phenylene units have been synthesized by a convergent approach using Suzuki cross-coupling and their optical properties were investigated and compared with the corresponding monomer.     

Synthesis of calix[4]arene alkylamine derivatives as new phase-transfer catalysts for esterification reaction

This study reports the synthesis of calix[4]arene-based phase-transfer catalysts derived from the reaction of 5,17-di-tert-butyl-25,27,26,28-tetrahydroxycalix[4]arene with N-ethylpiperazine, diallylamine or 4-benzylpiperidine. The catalytic efficiency of the calix[4]arenes alkylamine derivatives was evaluated by carrying out the ester-forming reaction of alkali metal carboxylates (sodium butyrate or sodium caprylate) with p-nitrobenzyl bromide. It has been observed that the ester-forming reaction of alkali metal carboxylates with p-nitrobenzyl bromide, using the N-ethylpiperazine amine derivative of calix[4]arene as a phase-transfer catalyst in dichloromethane at 25 °C, provided the best yields.     

Computational study of calix[4]arene derivatives and complexation with Zn

High level DFT was applied to study structure and conformational equilibrium of amino and mercaptocalix[4]arenes possessing methylene groups or sulfur atoms at their four junctions. All the calculations point to cone and 1,3-alternate as the most stable conformers for sulfur and methylene bridged compounds, respectively. The presence of four sulfur atoms in place of the methylene bridges can lead to novel features in the complexation with transition metals. The host–guest 1:1 complexes between Zn²⁺ and each conformer of tetraaminothiacalix[4]arene were also investigated at the same DFT level. The four nitrogens of amino groups play a dominant role in the interaction with Zn²⁺ via distorted tetrahedral coordination for 1,3-alternate, or distorted square planar for partial cone and 1,2-alternate. On the other hand, the 2:1 complexes with cone show that the sulfur bridges can also bind Zn²⁺ and contribute to form two sets of five-membered chelated rings with two N donor atoms.     

Study on thermal decomposition of calix[6]arene and calix[8]arene

Thermal decomposition kinetics of calix[6]arene (C6) and calix[8]arene (C8) were studied by Thermogravimetry analysis (TG) and Differential thermal analysis (DTA). TG was done under static air atmosphere with dynamic heating rates of 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 K min⁻¹. Model-free methods such as Friedman and Ozawa–Flynn–Wall were used to evaluate the kinetic parameters such as activation energy (E _a) and pre-exponential factors (ln A). Model-fitting method such as linear regression was used for the evaluation of optimum kinetic triplets. The kinetic parameters obtained are comparable with both the model-free and model-fitting methods. Within the tested models, the thermal decomposition of C6 and C8 are best described by a three dimensional Jander’s type diffusion. The antioxidant efficiency of C6 and C8 was tested for the decomposition of polypropylene (PP).     

Synthesis and chiral recognition properties of two novel chiral calix[4]arene tartaric ester derivatives

Two new chiral calix[4]arene derivatives containing tartaric acid ester moieties were synthesized. The chiral calix[4]arenes are in a ‘cone’ conformation according to NMR spectroscopy. The chiral recognition capabilities of 1–4 toward the guests, 1,2-propanediol and serine methyl ester hydrochloride (SerOMe), were investigated (¹H NMR spectroscopy). The extraction properties of compounds 1 and 2 toward selected α-amino acid methyl esters were also studied.