Selective and tuneable recognition of anions using C(3v)-symmetrical tripodal urea-amide receptor platforms

The synthesis and binding investigations of first generation C(3v)-symmetrical hydrogen bonding urea-amide based tripodal receptors, 1-6, with various anions such as acetate, phosphate, sulfate and chloride in DMSO-d(6) are presented. Analysis of the (1)H NMR titrations of 1-6 showed on all occasions the selective formation of 1?:?1 stoichiometries.     

Colorimetric and fluorescence sensing of anions using thiourea based coumarin receptors

Thiourea-containing coumarins 1, 2 have been designed and synthesized via reaction of 6-aminomethylcoumarin and the corresponding isothiocyanates. Their anion-binding ability has been examined using UV-vis, fluorescence and ¹H NMR. The anion recognition takes place through charge neutral thiourea receptor sites with concomitant fluorescence quenching of the coumarin moiety with 1 showing a strong binding to C₆H₅COO⁻ over F⁻ with a distinct change in color.     

Imidazolium receptors for the recognition of anions

This tutorial review covers imidazolium receptors for anion recognition according to their topological and structural classification, and includes benzene tripodal, cyclophane and calix-imidazolium, fluorescent imidazolium, ferrocenyl imidazolium, cavitand and calixarene, and polymeric imidazolium systems.     

Pharmacophore analysis of positive allosteric modulators of AMPA receptors

A 3D QSAR study of a set of positive allosteric modulators of AMPA receptors was performed using the CoMFA approach. It was shown that the van der Waals component introduces the major contribution to the predicted pEC₅₀ values, while the contribution of the electrostatic component is minor. The pharmacophore hypothesis for positive allosteric modulators was generated and validated.     

A luminescent microporous metal-organic framework for the recognition and sensing of anions

A luminescent microporous metal-organic framework Tb(BTC)G has been developed for the recognition and sensing of anions, exhibiting a high-sensitivity sensing function with respect to fluoride.     

Regulation of metal ion recognition by allosteric effects in thiacalix[4]crown based receptors

Three new ditopic receptors 3a-c based on thiacalix[4]arene of 1,3 alternate conformation possessing two different complexation sites have been designed and synthesized for both soft and hard metal ions. The imino nitrogens bind soft metal ion (Ag⁺/Pb²⁺/Cu²⁺) and the crown moiety binds K⁺ ion. The preliminary investigations show that 3a-c behave as ditopic receptors for Ag⁺/K⁺, Pb²⁺/K⁺, and Cu²⁺/K⁺ ions, respectively. In all the three receptors it was observed that the formation of 3a·Ag⁺/3b·Pb²⁺/3c·Cu²⁺ complex triggers the decomplexation of K⁺ ion from crown moiety and acts as a gateway, which regulates the binding of alkali metal to crown moiety. Thus, allosteric binding between metal ions ‘switch off’ the recognition ability of crown ether ring.     

Remarkably large positive and negative allosteric effects on ion recognition by the formation of a novel helical pseudocryptand

In supramolecular chemistry, a great deal of attention has focused on regulating guest binding via an external stimulus. To utilize the same effector for both highly guest-selective positive and negative allosteric effects, however, stricter and more precise regulation of the host structure is required. A novel allosteric host 1 binds Fe(II) to afford the pseudocryptand, 1.Fe(II), which bears a cavity that is surrounded by three polyether chains in a helical fashion. The binding selectivity of 1 (Na+ > K+ > Rb+ > Cs+) is the opposite of 1.Fe(II) (Cs+ > Rb+ > K+ > Na+). Single-ion transport through a liquid membrane shows ion selectivity similar to the equilibrium constants. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of an allosteric recognition system, in which the same effector, that is, Fe(II), exhibits both large positive and negative allosteric effects on equilibrium and dynamic recognition events. The X-ray analysis and 1H NMR examination indicate that the combination of the macrobicyclic effect and the intramolecular interchain interactions (CH-pi interaction and steric hindrance) finely controls the positive and negative allosteric effects, which depend on the size of the guest. The helical framework opens a new general method for constructing more sophisticated, controllable receptors for helical biomolecules, for example, DNA and proteins, and helical molecular devices such as a molecular coil or spring responding to a stimulus.     

硝基取代苯腙类荧光受体的阴离子识别与传感性能

合成了含萘荧光基团的硝基取代苯腙类受体,利用紫外-可见分光光度法、荧光发射光谱法和核磁等方法研究了受体的阴离子识别与光化学传感性能. 结果表明,在DMSO有机溶剂体系中,单硝基取代受体选择性比色和荧光识别氟离子,而双硝基取代受体可以比色和荧光识别氟离子和醋酸根离子. 归因于腙=N-NH基团质子酸性的进一步增强,双硝基取代受体能够在DMSO-H2O体系中实现对氟离子的比色和荧光识别. 此类受体是有效的“off-on”型阴离子荧光传感分子.     

Colorimetric "naked eye" sensing of anions in aqueous solution

[structure: see text] The synthesis and UV-vis and NMR spectroscopic studies of thiourea-based colorimetric sensors for anions are presented. These sensors can recognize anions through hydrogen binding even in competitive pH-buffered aqueous solutions, giving rise to large color changes that are clearly visible to the naked eye.     

Recognition and sensing of biologically relevant anions in alcohol and mixed alcohol-aqueous solutions using charge neutral cleft-like glycol-derived pyridyl-amidothiourea receptors

In this paper, the synthesis and the spectroscopic investigation of new colorimetric receptors for anions 3-6, possessing a glycol chain at the 4-position of the pyridyl ring, and 1 and 2, which lack such a chain, and the X-ray crystal structure of 2 is presented. Structures 3-6 are able to bind to anions in competitive media, such as alcohol or in a mixture of methanol and water, where the anion recognition gives rise to changes in the absorption spectra, which is red-shifted, in 1:1 or 1:2 (sensor/anion) stoichiometry. The anion recognition for 1 and 2 was also investigated in organic solvents and in a 4:1 mixture of DMSO/H(2)O. The binding of 1 to anions such as acetate, phosphate, and fluoride was also evaluated using (1)H NMR in DMSO-d(6).     

Polyfunctional recognition of pyridinedicarboxylate anions with macrocyclic polyamine receptors containing heteroaromatic groups

The interaction of the biologically relevant anions deriving from the six pyridinedicarboxylic acids (H2PDC) with two macrocyclic receptors containing a pentamine chain and a bipyridine (1) or a phenanthroline (2) moiety, as well as with the aliphatic analogue [21]aneN7 (3), was studied by means of spectroscopic methods (UV-vis, NMR) and potentiometric titrations affording the stability constants of the adducts formed. All three receptors form stable complexes with the substrates thanks to the formation of several salt bridges and hydrogen bond contacts, as observed in the crystal structure of the H8[3(2,6-PDC)4] x H2O x 0.5 EtOH solid compound. Additional pi-stacking interactions between the aromatic moieties of substrates and receptors enhance the stability of complexes with 1 and 2. Compounds 1 and 2 show a marked selectivity toward 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylate anions. In particular, 1 is able to perform a very efficient recognition of these species in the presence of 2 and 3. Molecular modeling calculations suggested that such recognition ability of 1 can be ascribed to a superior structural and electrostatic complementarity with the substrate compared to 2 and 3.     

Colorimetric and fluorescence sensing of fluoride anions with potential salicylaldimine based schiff base receptors

Salicylaldimine based schiff base receptors with different substituents showing fluorescent enhancement in the presence of fluoride anion was visualized through naked eye as well as by change in spectral properties (UV–vis and fluorescent techniques). The reason for such fluorescence enhancement may be due to hydrogen bond interaction between receptor recognition site and fluoride anion. Such a hydrogen bond interaction creates a six-membered transition state, which avoids quenching processes. To support this, fluorescence enhancement factor (FEF) was calculated and it was found to be more (FEF = 652) for –NO₂ substituted receptor compared to other receptors.     

Colorimetric sensing of anions in water using ratiometric indicator-displacement assay

The analysis of anions in water presents a difficult challenge due to their low charge-to-radius ratio, and the ability to discriminate among similar anions often remains problematic. The use of a 3 × 6 ratiometric indicator-displacement assay (RIDA) array for the colorimetric detection and identification of ten anions in water is reported. The sensor array consists of different combinations of colorimetric indicators and metal cations. The colorimetric indicators chelate with metal cations, forming the color changes. Upon the addition of anions, anions compete with the indicator ligands according to solubility product constants (K_sp). The indicator–metal chelate compound changes color back dramatically when the competition of anions wins. The color changes of the RIDA array were used as a digital representation of the array response and analyzed with standard statistical methods, including principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering analysis. No confusion or errors in classification by hierarchical clustering analysis were observed in 44 trials. The limit of detection was calculated approximately, and most limits of detections of anions are well below μM level using our RIDA array. The pH effect, temperature influence, interfering anions were also investigated, and the RIDA array shows the feasibility of real sample testing.     

Novel chiral fluorescent macrocyclic receptors: synthesis and recognition for amino acid anions

New chiral fluorescence macrocycles 1 and 2 containing naphthalene and amino acid units were synthesized. The binding properties for amino acid anions were examined by the fluorescence and ¹H NMR spectra. The results indicated good enantioselectivity of 1 toward the N-protected phenylalanine anions.     

Electrochemical sensing of anions by redox-active receptors built on the ferrocenyl cyclam framework

A range of ferrocenyl derivatives, L₁–L₃ and L₁Cu, has been prepared and their electrochemical recognition properties in organic solvents have been studied. These compounds are built on the same cyclam framework (ferrocenyl trans di-substitued cyclam), but they differ by the nature of their anions binding sites. While L₁ and its corresponding N-methylated L₂ derivative can interact with anionic species via H-bonding, strong electrostatic and hard acid–hard base interactions with anionic species are mainly involved in the ammonium derivative L₃ and the copper(II) complex L₁Cu, respectively. Significant CV perturbations in the characteristic potential of the Fc/Fc⁺ subunit in the presence of anions were found with L₁ and L₃. Selectivity of the electrochemical process is likely to be based on the formation of multiple H-bonds between the secondary amines of L₁ and the phosphate anions (both H-donor and acceptor) when the topology of the ammonium derivatives, L₃, governs mainly the anion complexation. Clear cyclic voltammetric features, such as a well-defined two-wave behavior allowing an accurate amperometric titration, require that the redox receptor contain an appropriate binding site and the ferrocene group in close proximity. Lewis acid–base interactions were shown to influence more deeply the electroactivity of Lewis acid center, namely the copper center in L₁Cu, than that of the ferrocenyl redox probe that is not directly connected to the associated anion. However, the precipitation of the host structure (e.g., L₃ or L₁Cu) in the presence of oxo-anions shows that a compromise has to be found between the establishment of strong interactions and the formation of soluble ion-pairs based complexes.     

Thermodynamic aspects of dicarboxylate recognition by simple artificial receptors.

Recognition of dicarboxylates by bis-functional hydrogen-bonding receptors displays divergent thermodynamics in different solvent systems. NMR titration and isothermal titration calorimetry indicated that neutral bis-urea and bis-thiourea receptors form exothermic complexes with dicarboxylates in DMSO, with a near zero entropic contribution to binding. The increased binding strength of bis-guanidinium receptors precluded quantitative measurement of binding constants in DMSO, but titration calorimetry offered a qualitative picture of the association. Formation of these 1:1 complexes was also exothermic, but additional endothermic events occurred at both lower and higher host-guest ratios. These events indicated multiple binding equilibria but did not always occur at a discrete 2:1 or 1:2 host-guest molar ratio, suggesting higher aggregates. With increasing amounts of methanol as solvent, bis-guanidinium receptors form more endothermic complexes with dicarboxylates, with a favorable entropy of association. This switch from association driven by enthalpy to one driven by entropy may reflect a change from complexation involving the formation of hydrogen bonds to that promoted by solvent liberation from binding sites.     

Surface recognition of biomacromolecules using nanoparticle receptors

Nanoparticles present a versatile scaffold to target biomacromolecule surfaces via complementary interactions. This review highlights some unique features of nanoparticles that make them particularly attractive resources for biomacromolecular recognition, and displays their use in modulation of structure and function of biomacromolecules.     

Redox sensing of anions in pure aqueous environment by ferrocene-containing 4,4'-bipyridinium-based receptors and polymer films

Selective voltammetric sensing of ATP(2-) anions in water was achieved using ferrocene-viologen based redox active receptors and related polymer films.