Formation and conformational conversion of flattened partial cone oxygen bridged calix[2]arene[2]triazines

A stepwise fragment coupling reaction starting with substituted dichlorotriazine and resorcinol derivatives gave rise to thermodynamically favored 1,3-alternate tetraoxacalix[2]arene[2]triazines and kinetically controlled flattened partial cone tetraoxacalix[2]arene[2]triazines. The flattened partial cone conformer, which was stable due to the steric effect, converted into the 1,3-alternate conformer via ether bond cleavage upon treatment with an inorganic base.     

Stereoselective dialkylation of the proximal hydroxy groups of calix- and thiacalix[4]arenes

Treatment of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene (C1) and its sulfur-bridged analog T1 with 1,3-dichloro-1,1,3,3-tetraisopropyldisiloxane in the presence of imidazole gives proximally O,O'-disiloxane-1,3-diyl-bridged calixarenes C2 and T2 in excellent yields, respectively. Subsequent base-catalyzed etherification of the remaining hydroxy groups with alkyl halides gives syn- and anti-O',O'-dialkylated products, the stereoselectivity of which varies depending on the nature of the macrocycle, as well as the metal cation of the base employed. Thus, conventional calixarene C2 preferentially affords syn compounds of 1,2-alternate conformation (C3) with the aid of tert-BuOK and K(2)CO(3) and anti counterparts of partial-cone conformation (C4) with Cs(2)CO(3). On the other hand, thiacalixarene T2 affords syn compounds of 1,2-alternate conformation (T3) with any of the bases. The disiloxanediyl bridge of the resulting products can readily be removed by treatment with tetrabutylammonium fluoride. Thus, the net process provides an efficient method for the regio- and stereoselective synthesis of proximally dialkylated calix[4]arenes.     

Complexation of quaternary ammonium ions by tetraester derivatives of [3.1.3.1]homooxacalixarene in mobile and in fixed conformation

In the tetraalkylation of p-tert-butyl[3.1.3.1]homooxacalixarene with BrCH2CO2R and K2CO3 in acetone, the initially formed cone conformer is converted into the more stable 1,4-alternate conformer when R = Me or Et, but not when R = i-Pr or t-Bu. In the case of R = i-Pr, derivatives in fixed 1,4-alternate conformation and in partial cone conformation were also isolated. Compounds in fixed cone conformation are good ligands for tetramethylammonium, acetylcholine, and N-methylpyridinium salts in CDCl3, but the partial cone isomer proved to be somewhat better and even the 1,4-alternate conformer turned out to be active. The possible involvement of the ester functions as additional binding sites is discussed; moreover, an insight into the energetics of the complexation and conformational isomerization processes is given.     

Synthesis and NMR conformational studies of p-tert-butyldihomooxacalix[4]-arene derivatives

Abstract

The tetramethyl (2) and tetraethyl (3) ethers, and the tetraacetate (4) derivatives of the p-tert-butyldihomooxacalix[4]arene were prepared. The mobility of these compounds studied by temperature-dependent ¹H NMR spectroscopy. For the tetraacetate derivative, at room temperature, 1,2- or 1,3-alternate conformations are suggested. Those conformations were confirmed by NOE difference and COSY spectra for the tetraethyl ether derivative in CDCl₃ at -20°C.     

Conformational analysis of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene derivatives with trans-alkyl substituents on opposite methylene bridges: destabilization of the cone form by axial alkyl substituents

The stereochemistry of calix[4]arenes substituted by a pair of identical alkyl substituents in a trans fashion at two distal bridges is analyzed. MM3 calculations suggest that increasing the bulk of the alkyl group at the bridges destabilizes those conformations possessing an axial disposition of the substituent. In contrast to the 1,3-dimethyl ether of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene, which adopts a cone conformation, solution NMR data indicate that the 1,2-alternate conformation is preferred in the dimethyl ether derivatives 5b (alkyl = i-Pr) and 5c (alkyl = t-Bu). In the derivative substituted by the less bulky methyl substituent (5a), both the cone and 1,2-alternate forms coexist in CDCl3. Increasing the polarity of the solvent increases the relative population of the cone form of 5a and 5b. The steric destabilization ensuing from the presence of the axial substituent is so large in the cone conformation of 5c that the 1,2-alternate conformer is the major form even in polar solvents. The cone --> 1,2-alternate interconversion barrier of 5a is 18.2 kcal mol(-1), indicating that the presence of an axial methyl group both destabilizes the cone conformation and decreases its rigidity.     

Exchange coupling mediated through-bonds and through-space in conformationally constrained polyradical scaffolds: calix[4]arene nitroxide tetraradicals and diradical

Calix[4]arenes constrained to the 1,3-alternate conformation and functionalized at the upper rim with four and two tert-butylnitroxides have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography, magnetic resonance (EPR and (1)H NMR) spectroscopy, and magnetic studies. The 1,3-alternate nitroxide tetraradical and diradical provide unique polyradical scaffolds for dissection of the through-bond and through-space intramolecular exchange couplings. In addition, detailed magnetic studies of the previously reported calix[4]arene nitroxide tetraradical, which possesses cone conformation in solution, reveal conformational dependence of exchange coupling. Through-bond coupling between the adjacent nitroxide radicals is mediated by the nitroxide-m-phenylene-CH(2)-m-phenylene-nitroxide coupling pathway, and through-space coupling is found between the diagonal nitroxide radicals at the conformationally constrained N...N distance of 5-6 A. Magnetic studies of the calix[4]arene polyradical scaffolds in frozen solutions show that the through-bond exchange coupling in the 1,3-alternate calix[4]arene tetraradical is antiferromagnetic, while that in cone calix[4]arene tetraradical is ferromagnetic. The through-space exchange couplings are antiferromagnetic in both cone and 1,3-alternate calix[4]arene tetraradical, as well as in the 1,3-alternate calix[4]arene diradical. The exchange coupling constants (|J/k|) are of the order of 1 K.     

Synthesis and Cesium Binding Affinity of New 25,27-Bis(alkyloxy)calix[4]arene-crown-6 Conformers in Relation to the Alkyl Pendent Moiety

The preparation of new 25,27-bis(alkyloxy)calix[4]arenes-crown-6 in the cone, partial-cone and 1,3-alternate conformation is reported. We have also investigated the alkylation of the cone monoalkylated calix[4]arene-crown-6 achieved using Cs 2 CO 3 . This reaction afforded a mixture of cone and partial-cone calix[4]arenes-crown-6 having an alkyl chain anti or syn to the polyether ring. Conformations have been probed using 1 H, 13 C, 2D-NMR and NOESY analysis, and using X-ray crystallography. Extraction experiments using a two-phase solvent method involving cesium picrate were performed for these newly synthesized conformers. They reveal and confirm the strong preference for the 1,3-alternate conformers. The affinity of 1,3-alternate calixarenes for Cs + has been assessed by complexation measurements (log g ) using a spectrophotometric technique. No significant Cs + extraction difference was observed in relation to the nature of the alkyl chains on the aromatic rings. 1 H NMR studies of the 1,3-alternate calixarene Cs + complexes confirms the cation's spacial position between the two aromatic rings, due to cation- ~ interactions.     

A series of tetrahomodioxacalix[4]biscrown-n. Syntheses, crystal structures, and metal binding abilities

A series of novel tetrahomodioxacalix[4]biscrowns with crown-2, crown-3, crown-4, crown-5, and crown-6 units were synthesized. Conformations of each product are dependent on the base used and their conformation stabilities. All conformations were proven by NMR spectra and/or X-ray crystal structures. The 1,3-alternate homodioxacalix[4]biscrown-4 (4b) shows the best selectivity for K+, whereas the 1,3-alternate homodioxacalix[4]crown-5 (5) does for Cs+. Those selectivities are attributable to electrostatic interaction between the metal ion and the crown ring, as well as a pi-metal complexation. However, the C-1,2-alternate conformation does not take the metal ions regardless of the crown species as a result of steric hindrance from the methylene bridge of an ArCH2Ar unit.     

1,3-Alternate calix[4]arenes, selectively functionalized by amino groups

General strategies are described to synthesize calix[4]arenes which are fixed in the 1,3-alternate conformation and substituted selectively by amino groups. These derivatives are useful starting materials for the attachment of various groups via amide bonds, as demonstrated by several examples, but may be converted also to ureas, imides or azomethines. Four amino groups may be attached to the narrow rim via(several) methylene groups as spacer by O-alkylation with omega-bromophthalimides or omega-bromonitriles. From the resulting tetraethers the amino functions are obtained by cleavage with hydrazine or by hydrolysis, allowing a selective functionalisation of both sides of the molecule (phenolic units A, C versus B, D). Amino functions at the wide rim are introduced by ipso-nitration of the respective t-butylcalix[4]arene derivatives and subsequent reduction. Selective ipso-nitration of a 1,3-diether, followed by O-alkylation with allylbromide to obtain the tetraether in the 1,3-alternate conformation, hydrogenation of allyl and nitro groups (in one step), protection of the amino functions as phthalimides followed by ipso-nitration of the remaining t-butyl phenol rings, allows again to distinguish both sides of the molecule (units A, C versus B, D). Reaction of a wide rim tetraamine in the 1,3-alternate conformation by Boc-anhydride allows not only to obtain the mono- and tri-Boc derivative, but also in nearly 60% yield the C2-symmetrical di-Boc derivative, in which two adjacent phenolic units are protected (distinction of A, B from C, D). This paves the way for the preparation of chiral derivatives or assemblies. O-Alkylation with omega-bromophthalimides followed by ipso-nitration leads to precursors for octaamines in the 1,3-alternate conformation, in which the potential amino functions on both rims can be selectively "activated" by reduction or hydrazinolysis. The structures of the newly synthesized molecules were mainly confirmed by their 1H NMR spectra, which allow a distinction from isomeric derivatives in the cone and partial cone conformation. Single crystal X-ray analyses were obtained for two analogous derivatives in the 1,3-alternate conformation (27, n = 3,4), an isomeric compound in the cone conformation (27, n = 3,4), and a derivative in the partial cone conformation (11).     

Calixazacrown ethers for copper(II) ion-selective electrode

Five novel 1,3-alternate calix[4]azacrown ethers having 2-picolyl, 3-picolyl, and benzyl unit on the nitrogen atom were synthesized and used as ionophores for transition metal-selective polymeric membrane electrodes. The electrode based on 2-picolyl armed 1,3-alternate calix [4] azacrown ether exhibited Nernstian response toward copper (II) ion over a concentration range (10(-4.5) M-10(-2.5) M). The detection limit was determined as 10(-5) M in pH 7 and the selectivity coefficients for possible interfering cations were evaluated. Anions in the sample solution strongly affected the electrode response.     

Molecular tectonics: silver coordination networks based on tetramercaptothiacalix[4]arene in 1,3-alternate conformation bearing four nitrile groups

Russian Chemical Bulletin - Two tetrasubsituted derivatives of tetramercaptothiacalix[4]arene in 1,3-alternate conformation bearing either four (3-cyano)propyl (1) or (4-cyano)benzyl (2) moieties...     

Electrochemical investigation of nano-baskets of calix[4]-1,3-crowns-5,6 complexes

Four nano-baskets of calixarene including cone 25,27-di(carboxymethoxy)calix[4]arene-crown-5, 1,3-alternate 25,27-di[carboxymethoxy]-calix[4]arene-crown-5, cone 25,27-bis[carboxymethoxy]calix[4]arene-crown-6 and 1,3-alternate 25,27-di[carboxymethoxy]-calix[4]arene-crown-6 were synthesized and their binding abilities towards alkali and alkaline earth metals as well as some lanthanides were studied using differential pulse voltammetry. The novelty of this study was investigation of those macrocyclic complexes by voltammetric behaviors of two acidic moieties in each scaffold during complexation of crown ether ring. Their voltammetric behaviors were closely related to the complex formation by entrapment of cation into crown ether cavity and ion–dipole interaction between cation and acidic moieties in calixcrowns. The results revealed the selective changes in voltammetric behavior of synthesized scaffolds toward the cations. Moreover, the position of crown ether in 1,3-alternate instead of cone enhanced the domain of binding ability to more cations. Furthermore, it was shown that those carboxylic acid moieties, which were far from the crown ether ring in the 1,3-alternate, did not affected by encapsulated cations in the coordination space of crown ether and showed no voltammetric behavior.     

Switching and fluorescence signal amplification with metal ions in allosteric systems based on 1, 3-alternate thiacalix[4]crown

New thiacalix[4]crown derivatives 4 and 5 of 1,3-alternate conformation possessing anthracene and quinoline moieties respectively were synthesised and examined for their cation recognition abilities toward different cations by fluorescence spectroscopy. Selective optical recognition with fluorescence amplification was observed for Fe(3+)/K(+) and Hg(2+)/K(+) in chemosensors 4 and 5 respectively. Further it was observed that the formation of 4·Fe(3+) complex triggers the decomplexation of K(+) ion. Similar allosteric behaviour between Hg(2+) and K(+) was observed in chemosensor 5.     

Informational rigidity in mesitylene-based calix[4]arenes adopting a 1,3-alternate conformation

Two chiral derivatives of a mesitylene-based calix[4]arene known to exist in the 1,3-alternate conformation were prepared by the attachment of homochiral residues to the four exo-hydroxy groups. Thus, the enantiotopic protons of the central scaffold became diastereotopic, leading to a doubling of their ¹H NMR signals in one example. From the temperature independence of the NMR spectrum, a lower limit of 24.2 kcal/mol could be estimated for the barrier of ring inversion. MM3 calculations confirm the 1,3-alternate conformation as the energy minimum, and estimate a barrier of 25.7 kcal/mol for the 1,3-alternate-to-1,3-alternate* interconversion process. This high barrier is due to the repulsive steric interactions between exo-methyl groups at vicinal rings when these groups pass each other.     

Synthesis of Enantiomerically Pure Thiocrown Ethers Derived from 1,1'-Binaphthalene-2,2'-diol

Synthetic methodology is given for the preparation of two different types of thiocrown ethers from optically pure 1,1'-binaphthalene-2,2'-diol (10). The conceptually simplest approach starts from optically pure 10 itself, which is alkylated (4 equiv of K(2)CO(3) in DMF at 110 degrees C) with 2-chloroethanol followed by mesylation to provide 2,2'-bis(2-(mesyloxy)ethoxy)-1,1'-binaphthyl (14). When allowed to react with ethane-1,2-dithiol, propane-1,3-dithiol, 1,4,7-trithiaheptane, 1,4,8,11-tetrathiaundecane, 2,2-dimethylpropane-1,3-dithiol, 2-(mercaptomethyl)-1-propene-3-thiol, and 1,2-benzenedithiol in the presence of Cs(2)CO(3) in DMF at 60 degrees C the corresponding thiocrown ethers 22-25, 28, 30, and 32 are formed in 30-54% yields. Test reactions were carried out to establish that no racemization occurs during alkylation under these conditions. Reaction of optically pure 10 with tetrahydropyranyl (THP)-protected 3-chloropropanol under similar conditions for the preparation of 14 proceeded more sluggishly but cleanly. Removal of the THP protecting groups afforded 2,2'-bis(3-bromopropoxy)-1,1'-binaphthyl (20), which on reaction with propane-1,3-dithiol, 1,5,9-trithianonane, 2,2-dimethylpropane-1,3-dithiol, 2-(mercaptomethyl)-1-propene-3-thiol, and 1,2-bis(mercaptomethyl)benzene provided the respective thiocrown ethers 26, 27, 29, 31, and 33 in 24-68% yields. Another class of thiocrown ethers was prepared from optically active 10, which was converted via ortho-lithiation to 3,3'-bis(bromomethyl)-2,2'-dimethoxy-1,1'-binaphthyl (39) by means of methylation (K(2)CO(3)/CH(3)I), ortho-lithiation followed by formylation (n-C(4)H(9)Li/N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA)/ether followed by DMF and H(2)O workup) followed by reduction (NaBH(4)) followed by bromination (PBr(3) in C(5)H(5)N). Reaction (Cs(2)CO(3) in DMF at 60 degrees C) with 1,4,7-trithiaheptane, 1,4,8-trithiaoctane, 1,4,7,10-tetrathiadecane, 1,4,8,11-tetrathiaundecane, and 1,5,10,14-tetrathiatetradecane afforded the corresponding thiocrown ethers 40-44 in 40-75% yields. Despite repeated attempts using a wide range of reagents, demethylation of the methoxy ether functionalities failed. Attempts to prepare the free phenol derivatives of the latter type of crown ethers by oxidative coupling of two naphthol units failed.     

Synthesis and alkaline earth metal cation extraction by proton di-ionizable p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene-crown-5 compounds in cone, partial-cone and 1,3-alternate conformations

Synthetic strategies for novel, proton di-ionizable p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene-crown-5 compounds in cone, partial-cone and 1,3-alternate conformations are reported. Selective linkage of the two diametrical phenolic oxygens in p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene with tetraethylene glycol ditosylate gave 1,3-bridged p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene-crown-5. The two remaining phenolic units were alkylated using NaH and KH as the bases to give the cone and partial-cone conformers, respectively. Preparation of the 1,3-alternate conformers utilized a different sequence in which O-alkylation was followed by crown ether ring formation. Structures of these new ligands were elucidated by (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy. These proton-ionizable ligands were tested for their solvent extraction properties toward alkaline earth metal cations. Surprising differences in their extraction behaviors are noted compared to those reported previously for di-ionizable p-tert-butylcalix[4]arenecrown-6 analogues.     

K2CO3-catalyzed synthesis of chromones and 4-quinolones through the cleavage of aromatic C-O bonds

Phenol-derived electrophiles are favorable substrates because phenols are naturally abundant or can be readily prepared from other aromatic compounds. However, the cleavage of aromatic C-O bonds is a great challenge because of their high energy. K(2)CO(3)-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization of 1-(2-alkoxyphenyl)-3-akylpropane-1,3-dione and 3-(alkylimino)-1-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-methylpropan-1-one derivatives via the selective cleavage of aromatic C-O bonds is reported. The corresponding chromone and 4-quinolone derivatives were obtained in reasonable yields.     

Synthesis and conformational evaluation of p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene-crowns

Bridging of p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene afforded 1,3-dihydroxythiacalix[4]arene-monocrown-5 (3b), 1,2-alternate thiacalix[4]arene-biscrown-4 and -5 (4a,b), and 1,3-alternate thiacalix[4]arene-biscrown-5 and -6 (5a,b), depending on the metal carbonates and oligoethylene glycol ditosylates used. Starting from 1,3-dialkylated thiacalix[4]arenes, the corresponding bridging reaction gave 1,3-alternate, partial-cone, and cone conformers 10-19, depending on the substituents present. Temperature-dependent studies revealed that the conformationally flexible 1,3-dimethoxythiacalix[4]arene-crowns 10a-c exclusively occupy the 1,3-alternate conformation. Demethylation exclusively gave the cone 1,3-dihydroxythiacalix[4]arene-crowns (3a,c), which could not be obtained by direct bridging of thiacalix[4]arene. The different structures were assigned on the basis of several X-ray crystal structures and extensive 2-D (1)H NMR studies.     

Chromogenic azo-coupled calix[4]arenes

Novel 1,3-alternate calix[4]azacrowns having an azo chromophoric pendent group were synthesized, and their 1,3-alternate conformations were confirmed by X-ray crystal structure. In view of the hypsochromical UV band shifting upon cation complexation, azo-coupled calix[4]azacrown-5 (3) showed the most selective shifting with alkali and alkaline metal ions. In addition, 3 revealed K+ ion selectivity not only due to the size comparability between the K+ ion and the azacrown-5 loop but also due to a significant K+-pi interaction between the two aromatic rings and the K+ ion. The UV band shifting is also dependent on the lipophilicity of the species of counteranion used.     

Synthesis of cone, partial-cone, and 1,3-alternate 25, 27-Bis

The preparation of 25,27-bis[1-(2-ethyl)hexyl]- and 25, 27-bis[1-(2-tert-butoxy)ethyl]calix[4]arene-crown-6 combining one polyether crown-6 and one alkylchain O-attached on each side of a calix[4]arene in the cone, partial-cone, and 1,3-alternate conformations are reported. The control over 25, 27-bisalkylcalix[4]arene-crown-6 conformation via varying specific reaction conditions was studied. The series of calix[4]arenes have been prepared by two routes, which differ in the order in which the alkyl or polyether groups were introduced. Moreover, methods have been developed to selectively prepare the cone and partial-cone conformers by using an appropriate base in the alkylation reactions. The conformations of these new derivatives have been probed by (1)H NMR analysis and X-ray crystallography. The (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra of 25,27-bis[1-(2-ethyl)hexyl]calix[4]arene-crown-6, 1, 3-alternate 1, cone 2, and partial-cone 3 are also discussed.