Recognition of N‐Alkyl and N‐Aryl Acetamides by N‐Alkyl Ammonium Resorcinarene Chlorides

N‐Alkyl ammonium resorcinarene chlorides are stabilized by an intricate array of intra‐ and intermolecular hydrogen bonds that leads to cavitand‐like structures. Depending on the upper‐rim substituents, self‐inclusion was observed in solution and in the solid state. The self‐inclusion can be disrupted at higher temperatures, whereas in the presence of small guests the self‐included dimers spontaneously reorganize to 1:1 host–guest complexes. These host compounds show an interesting ability to bind a series of N‐alkyl acetamide guests through intermolecular hydrogen bonds involving the carbonyl oxygen (C?O) atoms and the amide (NH) groups of the guests, the chloride anions (Cl^?) and ammonium (NH₂⁺) cations of the hosts, and also through CH ??? π interactions between the hosts and guests. The self‐included and host–guest complexes were studied by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, NMR titration, and mass spectrometry.     

A Tetraferrocenyl‐Resorcinarene Cavitand as a Redox‐Switchable Host of Ammonium Salts

Tetraannulation of a resorcinarene‐octaamino cavitand with ferrocenecarboxaldehyde allows the preparation of a tetrabenzimidazole‐resorcinarene cavitand with four ferrocenyl moieties directly linked to the C2 atom of the imidazole units. Oxidation of the four ferrocenyl moieties produces important structural modifications of the molecule, as indicated by DFT calculations performed for the neutral and tetraoxidized forms of the cavitand. By means of ¹H NMR spectroscopic analysis, the encapsulating properties of the new tetraferrocenyl‐resorcinarene cavitand toward a series of ammonium salts were evaluated, and a clear cutoff point in binding affinity with respect to size was observed. Cyclic voltammetric studies allowed us to estimate the relative association constants for the neutral and oxidized forms of the cavitand, thus indicating that the guest was bound to the neutral (reduced) state of the cavitand and was released from the oxidized form. These redox‐addressable conformational and binding properties of the resorcinarene‐tetraferrocenyl cavitand constitute all the necessary features of a redox‐switchable molecular gripper. By means of mass‐spectrometric analysis, we could unambiguously confirm the molar stoichiometry of the host–guest complex (1:1) and assess the strong guest encapsulation, as indicated by triggering the covalent coupling between host and guest in the gas phase.     

Cooperative Binding of Divalent Diamides by N‐Alkyl Ammonium Resorcinarene Chlorides

N‐Alkyl ammonium resorcinarene chlorides, stabilized by an intricate array of hydrogen bonds leading to a cavitand‐like structure, bind amides. The molecular recognition occurs through intermolecular hydrogen bonds between the carbonyl oxygen and the amide hydrogen of the guests and the cation–anion circular hydrogen‐bonded seam of the hosts, as well as through CH ??? π interactions. The N‐alkyl ammonium resorcinarene chlorides cooperatively bind a series of di‐acetamides of varying spacer lengths ranging from three to seven carbons. Titration data fit either a 1:1 or 2:1 binding isotherm depending on the spacer lengths. Considering all the guests possess similar binding motifs, the first binding constants were similar (K₁: 10² M ^?1) for each host. The second binding constant was found to depend on the upper rim substituent of the host and the spacer length of the guests, with the optimum binding observed with the six‐carbon spacer (K₂: 10³ M ^?2). Short spacer lengths increase steric hindrance, whereas longer spacer lengths increase flexibility thus reducing cooperativity. The host with the rigid cyclohexyl upper rim showed stronger binding than the host with flexible benzyl arms. The cooperative binding of these divalent guests was studied in solution through ¹H NMR titration studies and supplemented by diffusion‐ordered spectroscopy (DOSY), X‐ray crystallography, and mass spectrometry.     

Host–Guest Chemistry: Oxoanion Recognition Based on Combined Charge‐Assisted C−H or Halogen‐Bonding Interactions and Anion⋅⋅⋅Anion Interactions Mediated by Hydrogen Bonds

Several bis‐triazolium‐based receptors have been synthesized and their anion‐recognition capabilities have been studied. The central chiral 1,1′‐bi‐2‐naphthol (BINOL) core features either two aryl or ferrocenyl end‐capped side arms with central halogen‐ or hydrogen‐bonding triazolium receptors. NMR spectroscopic data indicate the simultaneous occurrence of several charge‐assisted aliphatic and heteroaromatic C?H noncovalent interactions and combinations of C?H hydrogen and halogen bonding. The receptors are able to selectively interact with HP₂O₇^3?, H₂PO₄^?, and SO₄^2? anions, and the value of the association constant follows the sequence: HP₂O₇^3?>SO₄^2?>H₂PO₄^?. The ferrocenyl end‐capped 7²⁺?2 BF₄ ^? receptor allows recognition and differentiation of H₂PO₄^? and HP₂O₇^3? anions by using different channels: H₂PO₄^? is selectively detected through absorption and emission methods and HP₂O₇^3? by using electrochemical techniques. Significant structural results are the observation of an anion???anion interaction in the solid state (2:2 complex, 6²⁺? [ H₂P₂O₇ ] ^2? ), and a short C?I???O contact is observed in the structure of the complex [ 8 ²⁺][SO₄]_0.5[BF₄].     

A Study of the Interaction Between Cucurbit[8]uril and Alkyl‐Substituted 4‐Pyrrolidinopyridinium Salts

The interaction between cucuribit[8]uril (Q[8]) and a series of 4‐pyrrolidinopyridinium salts bearing aliphatic substituents at the pyridinium nitrogen, namely 4‐(C₄H₈N)C₅H₅NRBr, where R=Et (g1), n‐butyl (g2), n‐pentyl (g3), n‐hexyl (g4), n‐octyl (g5), n‐dodecyl (g6), has been studied in aqueous solution by ¹H NMR spectroscopy, electronic absorption spectroscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry and mass spectrometry. Single crystal X‐ray diffraction revealed the structure of the host–guest complexes for g1, g2, g3, and g5. In each case, the Q[8] contains two guest molecules in a centrosymmetric dimer. The orientation of the guest molecule changes as the alkyl chain increases in length. Interestingly, in the solid state, the inclusion complexes identified are different from those observed in solution, and furthermore, in the case of g3, Q[8] exhibits two different interactions with the guest. In solution, the length of the alkyl chain plays a significant role in determining the type of host–guest interaction present.     

Anion‐Exchange Properties of Trifluoroacetate and Triflate Salts of N‐Alkylammonium Resorcinarenes

The synthesis of N‐benzyl‐ and N‐cyclohexylammonium resorcinarene trifluoroacetate (TFA) and triflate (OTf) salt receptors was investigated. Solid‐state analysis by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction revealed that the N‐alkylammonium resorcinarene salts (NARSs) with different upper substituents had different cavity sizes and different affinities for anions. Anion‐exchange experiments by mixing equimolar amounts of N‐benzylammonium resorcinarene trifluoroacetate and N‐cyclohexylammonium resorcinarene triflate, as well as N‐benzylammonium resorcinarene triflate and N‐cyclohexylammonium resorcinarene trifluoroacetate showed that the NARS with flexible benzyl groups preferred the larger OTf anion, whereas the rigid cyclohexyl groups preferred the smaller TFA anions. The anion‐exchange processes were confirmed in the solid state by single‐crystal and powder X‐ray diffraction experiments and in the gas phase by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.     

1,3‐Alternate Tetraamido‐Azacalix[4]arenes as Selective Anion Receptors

Six tetraaza[1.1.1.1]cyclophane derivatives bearing peripheral amide groups were prepared according to two distinct synthetic strategies that depend on the connection pattern between the aryl units. NMR experiments combined with the X‐ray structures of two tetraamide derivatives 4 b and 10 show that these cavitands adopt a 1,3‐alternate conformation both in solution and in the solid state. Consequently, the four amide groups of the aza[1.1.1.1]‐m,m,m,m‐cyclophane isomer 10 can contribute to the same recognition process towards neutral water molecules or anion guests. NMR experiments, mass spectrometry analyses and single‐crystal X‐ray structures confirm the anion‐binding ability of this receptor. Absorption spectrophotometric titrations in nonpolar solvents provided evidence for the selectivity of 10 to chloride anions in the halide series, with a corresponding association constant K_a reaching 2.5×10⁶ m ^?1.     

Resorcinarene Bis‐Thiacrowns: Prospective Host Molecules for Silver Encapsulation

Mixed‐donor atom tetramethoxy resorcinarene bis‐thiacrown hosts, in which the crown unit contains both hard oxygen and soft sulfur donor atoms, were synthesized for soft metal cation binding. The binding properties were investigated both in solution and in the solid state by NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallography. It was found that the resorcinarene bis‐thiacrowns were able to complex silver cations with remarkable affinity forming readily 1:2 host–guest complexes in solution. The solid state structures also revealed that the bis‐thiacrowns form silver complexes in an unanticipated endo‐ and exo‐cavity fashion within the same host molecule. Both the solution and solid state studies indicated the sulfur atoms to be the major contributing donor atoms in forming the binding interactions with silver cations.     

Designed Synthesis of a Highly Conjugated Hexaethynylbenzene‐Based Host for Supramolecular Architectures

The construction of efficient synthetic functional receptors with tunable cavities, and the self‐organization of guest molecules within these cavities through noncovalent interactions can be challenging. Here we have prepared a double‐cavity molecular cup based on hexaethynylbenzene that possesses a highly π‐conjugated interior for the binding of electron‐rich guests. X‐ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, UV/Vis spectroscopy, fluorescent spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and SEM were used to investigate the structures and the binding behaviors. The results indicated that the binding of a guest in one cavity would affect the binding of the same or another guest in the other cavity. The effect of electron transfer in this system suggests ample opportunities for tuning the optical and electronic properties of the molecular cup and the encapsulated guest. The encapsulation of different guests would also lead to different aggregate nanostructures, which is a new way to tune their supramolecular architectures.     

Generation‐Dependent Host–Guest Interactions: Solution States of Polyglycerol Dendrimers of Generations 3 and 4 Modulate the Localization of a Guest Molecule

Host–guest interactions between polyglycerol dendrimers of generations 3 and 4 (PGD‐G3 and G4) and 4‐amino‐3‐hydroxynapthalene‐2‐sulphonic acid (AHSA) were investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). PGD‐G3 molecules were found to form an associated state with an average diameter of 82.7 nm in aqueous solution, in which PGD‐G3 provided a much more polar microenvironment than glycerol. PGD‐G3 and AHSA interacted attractively, showing a binding constant of 5.3×10⁵ M ^?1 with a 2:1 stoichiometry. On the other hand, AHSA interacted with the periphery of PGD‐G4, the majority of which existed as a unimer, forming a less polar microenvironment. The driving force of the interactions for PGD‐G3 and ‐G4 were mainly enthalpically and entropically driven, respectively. The generation‐dependent host–guest interactions were described in conjunction with thermodynamic parameters.     

Solution and Solid‐State Studies on the Halide Binding Affinity of Perfluorophenyl‐Armed Uranyl–Salophen Receptors Enhanced by Anion–π Interactions

The enhancement of the binding between halide anions and a Lewis acidic uranyl–salophen receptor has been achieved by the introduction of pendant electron‐deficient arene units into the receptor skeleton. The association and the occurrence of the elusive anion–π interaction with halide anions (as tetrabutylammonium salts) have been demonstrated in solution and in the solid state, providing unambiguous evidence on the interplay of the concerted interactions responsible for the anion binding.     

Ion‐Pair Recognition by a Heteroditopic Triazole‐Containing Receptor

A new heteroditopic calix[4]diquinone triazole containing receptor capable of recognising both cations and anions through Lewis base and C? H hydrogen‐bonding modes, respectively, of the triazole motif has been prepared. This ion‐pair receptor cooperatively binds halide/monovalent‐cation combinations in an aqueous mixture, with selectivity trends being established by ¹H NMR and UV/Vis spectroscopy. Cation binding by the calix[4]diquinone oxygen and triazole nitrogen donors enhances the strength of the halide complexation at the isophthalamide recognition site of the receptor. Conversely, anions bound in the receptor’s isophthalamide cavity enhance cation recognition. ¹H NMR investigations in solution suggest that the receptor’s triazole motifs are capable of coordinating simultaneously to both cation and anion guest species. Solid‐state X‐ray crystallographic structural analysis of a variety of receptor ion‐pair adducts further demonstrates the dual cation–anion binding role of the triazole group.     

Dramatic Enhancement of Binding Affinities Between Foldamer‐Based Receptors and Anions by Intra‐Receptor π‐Stacking

As a synthetic model for intra‐protein interactions that reinforce binding affinities between proteins and ligands, the energetic interplay of binding and folding was investigated using foldamer‐based receptors capable of adopting helical structures. The receptors were designed to have identical hydrogen‐bonding sites for anion binding but different aryl appendages that simply provide additional π‐stacking within the helical backbones without direct interactions with the bound anions. In particular, the presence of electron‐deficient aryl appendages led to dramatic enhancements in the association constant between the receptor and chloride or nitrate ions, by up to three orders of magnitude. Extended stacking within the receptor contributes to the stabilization of the entire folding structure of complexes, thereby enhancing binding affinities.     

Small‐Molecule Anion Recognition by a Shape‐Responsive Bowl‐Type Dodecavanadate

A dodecavanadate, [V₁₂O₃₂]⁴⁻, is an inorganic bowl‐type host with a cavity entrance with a diameter of 4.4 Å in the optimized structure. Linear, bent, and trigonal planar anions are tested as guest anions and the formation of host–guest complexes, [V₁₂O₃₂(X)]⁵⁻ (X=CN⁻, OCN⁻, NO₂⁻, NO₃⁻, HCO₂⁻, and CH₃CO₂⁻), were confirmed by X‐ray crystallographic analyses and a ⁵¹V NMR spectroscopy study. The degree of distortion of the bowl from a regular to an oval shape depends on the type of guest anion. In ⁵¹V NMR spectroscopy, all chemical shifts of the host–guest complexes are clearly shifted after guest incorporation. The incorporation reaction rates for OCN⁻, NO₂⁻, HCO₂⁻, and CH₃CO₂⁻ are much larger than those of NO₃⁻ and halides. The incorporated nonspherical molecular anions in the dodecavanadate host are easily dissociated or exchanged for other anions, whereas spherical halides in the host are preserved without dissociation, even in the presence of the tested anions.     

Solid‐State Conformational Flexibility at Work: Zipping and Unzipping within a Cyclic Peptoid Single Crystal

A peptidomimetic compound undergoes a reversible single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal transformation upon guest release/uptake with the transformation involving a drastic conformational change. The extensive and reversible alteration in the solid state is connected to the formation of an unprecedented “CH–π zipper” which can reversibly open and close (through the formation of CH–π interactions), thus allowing for guest sensing.     

A Series of Amino Acid Functionalized Tripodal Hexaamide Anion Receptors: Ion‐Pair‐Assisted Capped‐Cleft Formation by a Pentafluorophenyl‐Functionalized Amide

A new series of tris(2‐aminoethyl)amine (tren)‐based L ‐alanine amino acid backboned tripodal hexaamide receptors (L1–L5) with various attached moieties based on electron‐withdrawing fluoro groups and lipophilicity have been synthesized and characterized. Detailed binding studies of L1–L5 with different anions, such as halides (F^?, Cl^?, Br^?, and I^?) and oxyanions (AcO^?, BzO^? (Bz=benzoyl), NO₃^?, H₂PO₄^?, and HSO₄^?), have been carried out by isothermal titration calorimetric (ITC) experiments in acetonitrile/dimethylsulfoxide (99.5:0.5 v/v) at 298 K. ITC titration experiments have clearly shown that receptors L1–L4 invariably form 1:1 complexes with Cl^?, AcO^?, BzO^?, and HSO₄^?, whereas L5 forms a 1:1 complex only with AcO^?. In the case of Br^?, I^?, and NO₃^?, no appreciable heat change is observed owing to weak interactions between these anions and receptors; this is further confirmed by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The ITC binding studies of F^? and H₂PO₄^? do not fit well for a 1:1 binding model. Furthermore, ITC binding studies also revealed slightly higher selectivity of this series of receptors towards AcO^? over Cl^?, BzO^?, and HSO₄^?. Solid‐state structural evidence for the recognition of Cl^? by this new category of receptor was confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray structural analysis of the complex of tetrabutylammonium chloride (TBACl) and L1. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction clearly showed that the pentafluorophenyl‐functionalized amide receptor (L1) encapsulated Cl^? in its cavity by hydrogen bonds from amides, and the cavity of L1 was capped with a TBA cation through hydrogen bonding and ion‐pair interactions to form a capped‐cleft orientation. To understand the role of the cationic counterpart in solution‐state Cl^? binding processes with this series of receptors (L1–L4), a detailed Cl^? binding study was carried out with three different tetraalkylammonium (Me₄N⁺, Et₄N⁺, and Bu₄N⁺) salts of Cl^?. The binding affinities of these receptors with different tetralkylammonium salts of Cl^? gave binding constants with the TBA cation in the following order: butyl>ethyl>methyl. This study further supports the role of the TBA countercation in ion‐pair recognition by this series of receptors.     

Rim,Side Arms,and Cavity: Three Sites for the Recognition of Anions by Tetraazolium Resorcinarene Cavitands

Two tetrabenzoimidazolium‐resorcinarene cavitands were prepared and used for the recognition of chloride, bromide, iodide, cyanide, nitrate, perchlorate, hexanoate, benzenesulfonate, and p‐toluenesulfonate. Binding affinities of the two cavitands were determined by ¹H NMR titration and computational analysis. The observed spectral changes were related to specific interaction sites, which were supported by the computational studies. In the case of the C2?H tetrabenzoimidazolium‐resorcinarene, the recognition region of the inorganic anions and hexanoate was located at the rim of the cavitand, although chloride and bromide also interacted with the aromatic C?H bonds located between adjacent arms of the cavitand. By contrast, the recognition of the two anions with an aromatic ring (benzenesulfonate and p‐toluenesulfonate) results from encapsulation of the aromatic part of the anions inside the hydrophobic cavity of the host. In the case of the C2?Me tetrabenzoimizazolium‐resorcinarene receptor, the ability of the molecule to bind all inorganic anions and hexanoate was suppressed, but the receptor maintained its ability to strongly bind benzenesulfonate and p‐toluenesulfonate. This is interpreted in terms of suppression of the ability of the cavitand to form hydrogen bonds at the rim of the molecule due to replacement of the C2?H proton by a methyl group, while the hydrophobic pocket of the molecule maintains its binding abilities.