Functional modification,self-assembly and application of calix[4]resorcinarenes

As a special subset of calix[4]arene, calix[4]resorcinarene is an excellent molecular platform which could be modified by introducing functional groups to multiple sites at the upper and lower rims. There are mainly three ways to build functionalized calix[4]resorcinarene derivatives: (1) modification on the C-2 sites of calix[4]resorcinarenes; (2) modification on the phenolic hydroxyl groups of calix[4]resorcinarenes; (3) modification on the bridging methylenes at lower rim of calix[4]resorcinarenes. Functionalized calix[4]resorcinarene derivatives play an important role in the development of self-assembly chemistry, among which hydrogen bonding and metal coordination are the two most common interactions to obtain multicomponent structures. Moreover, due to the excellent topological structures and various active substituents of functionalized calix[4]resorcinarene derivatives, their applications in various fields, such as nanoparticles, catalysts, fluorescent materials, and sensors, have been briefly presented in this paper.

     

Surface modification of resorcinarene based self-assembled solid lipid nanoparticles for drug targeting

Prolyl-bearing amphiphilic resorcinarenes, e.g. tetrakis(N-methylprolyl)tetraundecylcalix[4]resorcinarene, self-assemble as stable solid lipid nanoparticles; these fully characterized systems could be further functionalized at their surface with proteins, and interact with specific antibodies bound on a sensor surface.     

Synthesis of New Resorcinarenes Under Alkaline Conditions

The preparation of functionalized resorcinarenes is described. Thus, 2‐nitroresorcinol (= 2‐nitrobenzene‐1,2‐diol), 2‐acetylresorcinol (= 1‐(2,6‐dihydroxyphenyl)ethanone), and 2,6‐dihydroxybenzoic acid were treated with formaldehyde in alkaline medium to give the corresponding resorcinarenes 1 – 3 (Scheme 1). This method is also applicable for resorcinol (= benzene‐1,3‐diol) itself, but the yields are poorer. In this case, the molecule formed is the simplest resorcinarene 4 on which a number of substituents can be inserted between the two OH groups. Thus, bromation of 4 yields 5 (Scheme 2). Some properties and conformations of these new products are discussed, and the X‐ray crystal structures of the nitro and bromo compounds 1 and 5 , respectively, are presented.     

Multivalent macrocyclic hosts: histone surface recognition, guest binding, and delivery by cyclophane-based resorcinarene oligomers

As a new class of host for both specific proteins and hydrophobic molecular guests, cyclophane-based resorcinarene oligomers were designed on the basis of a molecular design that allows the assembly of four or 12 anionic resorcinarenes on a cyclophane skeleton. We prepared a cyclophane-based resorcinarene tetramer (4), constructed with a tetraaza[6.1.6.1]-paracyclophane skeleton and four resorcinarenes bearing heptacarboxylic acid residues that connect to the macrocycle through amide linkages. In addition, we prepared an extended analogical dodecamer (12), which was constructed with a pentakis(cyclophane) skeleton and 12 resorcinarenes. The cyclophane-based resorcinarene oligomers exhibited potent recognition capabilities toward histone, a small basic protein of eukaryotic chromatins. The binding constants (K) of cyclophane-based resorcinarene tetramer 4 and dodecamer 12 with histone were determined to be 1.3x107 and 8.4x107 M-1, respectively, by means of surface plasmon resonance measurements. The K values of 4 and 12 with histone were 31- and 200-fold larger than that of an untethered reference resorcinarene, reflecting the multivalency effects in resorcinarenes. In addition to that, cyclophane-based resorcinarene tetramer 4 and dodecamer 12 captured hydrophobic guests such as 6-p-toluidinonaphthalene-2-sulfonate, with respective binding constants of 2.4x103 and 2.5x104 M-1 in an aqueous HEPES buffer as evaluated by fluorescence spectroscopy. Furthermore, the resorcinarene oligomers were also found to act as guest carriers from the bulk aqueous phase to histone surfaces, as confirmed by fluorescence spectroscopy.     

Solvent exchange in thermally stable resorcinarene nanotubes

The assembly of C-methyl resorcinarene into a tubular supramolecular solid-state structure, its thermal stability, and its hosting properties are reported. Careful control of the crystallisation conditions of C-methyl resorcinarene and 1,4-dimethyl-1,4-diazoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (1,4-dimethyl DABCO) dibromide leads to a formation of two crystallographically different, but structurally very similar, solid-state nanotube structures. These structures undergo a remarkable variety of supramolecular interactions, which lead to the formation of 0.5 nm diameter nonpolar tubes through the crystal lattice. The formation of these tubes is templated by suitably sized small alcohols, namely, n-propanol, 2-propanol, or n-butanol. The self-assembly involves close pi...pi interactions between the adjacent resorcinarenes, and C--H...pi and cation...pi interactions between the resorcinarenes and the guest 1,4-dimethyl DABCO dications. The crystals of these supramolecular tube structures are thermally very stable and the included solvent alcohol can be removed from the tubes without breaking the single-crystalline structure of the assembly. After removal of the solvent molecules the tubes can be filled with other small, less polar solvent molecules such as dichloromethane.     

Resorcinarene-based cavitands with chiral amino acid substituents for chiral amine recognition

Resorcinarene-based deep cavitands alanine methyl resorcinarene acid (), alanine undecyl resorcinarene acid () and glycine undecyl resorcinarene acid (), which contain chiral amino acids, have been synthesized. The upper rim of the resorcinarene host is elongated with four identical substituents topped with alanine and glycine groups. The structures of the new resorcinarenes were elucidated by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), mass spectrometry (MS) and the sustained off-resonance irradiation collision induced dissociation (SORI-CID) technique in FTICR-MS. These studies revealed that eight water molecules associate to the cavitand, two for each alanine group. The alanine substituent groups are proposed to form a kite-like structure around the resorcinarene scaffold. The binding of , , and with chiral R- and S-methyl benzyl amines was studied by (1)H NMR titration, and compared to that of a binary l-tartaric acid and the monoacid phthalyl alanine (). The results show that these compounds interact with amine guests; however, with four carboxylic acid groups, they bind several amine molecules strongly while the binary l-tartaric acid only binds one amine guest strongly. The simple compound , which contains one carboxylic group, shows weak binding to the amines. The (1)H NMR titration of with primary, secondary, and tertiary chiral amines showed that it can discriminate between these three types of amines and showed chiral discrimination for chiral secondary amines.     

Stability, dynamics, and selectivity in the assembly of hydrogen-bonded hexameric capsules

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) was employed to monitor the dynamics of hydrogen-bonded hexameric assemblies formed from resorcin[4]arenes and pyrogallol[4]arenes. Studies were designed to provide further insights into the degree of assembly and stability of these self-assembled capsules at the micro- to nanomolar concentration ranges that are not accessible by NMR studies. The results of this investigation reveal factors that influence the self-assembly of these macrocycles into hexameric capsules. Pyrogallolarenes are very sensitive to the concentration of mixing, with an increase in the equilibration half-life from 36 min at 250 nM to 156 min at 10 microM. The resorcinarenes showed little difference in exchange rates over the same concentration range. The temperature of mixing of the macrocycles was found to be important for both systems with a 12-fold increase in exchange rates over a 20 degree range for the pyrogallolarenes and a 2-fold rate increase for the resorcinarenes over the same temperature range. The stability of the capsules to polar additives such as methanol was probed, with the pyrogallolarenes requiring a higher percentage (1.6% v/v in dichloromethane) of methanol to disassemble the capsules than the resorcinarenes (1.0% v/v in dichloromethane). Pyrogallolarenes assemble in both anhydrous and wet solvents whereas water-saturated solvents are necessary to facilitate the formation of resorcinarene capsules. In addition to these studies, evidence of strict self-sorting in the formation of distinct pyrogallolarene and resorcinarene hexamers was obtained.     

Alkoxy-, acyloxy-, and bromomethylation of resorcinarenes

Reaction of resorcinarene octols with tris-hydroxymethylmethylamine (TRIS), formaldehyde, and alcohols results in tetraalkoxymethylation of the resorcinol rings. Harsh acylation of aminomethylated resorcinarenes with acid anhydrides leads to the complete acylation of eight hydroxyls and substitution of the amino versus acyloxy groups. Acyloxymethylated resorcinarene 6b can be transformed into a tetrabromomethylated derivative 7 through the reaction with HBr in acetic acid.     

Cyclophane-based tetra(resorcinarene) as a host for both histone and hydrophobic molecular guests

A cyclophane-based resorcinarene tetramer, which is constructed with a tetraaza[6.1.6.1]paracyclophane and four resorcinarenes bearing hepta(carboxylic acid) residues that connect the macrocycle through amide linkages, was prepared. The binding constant of the cyclophane-based resorcinarene with immobilized histone was determined to be 1.3 × 10⁷ M⁻¹ by surface plasmon resonance measurements, which was 31-fold larger than that of the resorcinarene monomer bearing octacarboxylic acids. Moreover, the cyclophane-based tetra(resorcinarene) acted as a host toward hydrophobic molecular guests such as 6-p-toluidinonaphthalene-2-sulfonate.     

Synthesis of Calix [4] resorcinarene Core Dendrimers with Peripheral Salicylideneimine Functional Groups

IntroductionOver the past two decades, dendrimers have at-tracted considerable attention because of their inherentnovel structural features and their potential applicationsin various scientific and industrial fields such as cataly-sis or newmaterials, and…     

Microwave‐Assisted Synthesis of Calix[4]resorcinarene Hydroxamic Acids

New calix[4]resorcinarenes bearing hydroxamic acid groups, calix[4]resorcinarene hydroxamic acids (CRAHAs), have been synthesized.     

Monofunctionalised resorcinarenes

A convenient methodology for introducing single functional groups to the lower rim of resorcinarenes is described. The methodology allows for very convenient differential protection or derivatisation of the upper and lower rims, and a wide range of functional groups (alcohol, carboxylic acid, thiol, amine, carbamate, alkyl halide) can be incorporated as a single unit at the lower rim, opening up the way to further modification at this point and generally widening the scope for further utilising resorcinarenes. Furthermore, our approach has enabled us to link two resorcinarenes together to form novel resorcinarene dimers.     

Size- and structure-selective noncovalent recognition of saccharides by tetraethyl and tetraphenyl resorcinarenes in the gas phase

The noncovalent complexation of tetraethyl and tetraphenyl resorcinarenes with mono-, di-, and oligosaccharides was studied with negative-polarization electrospray ionization quadrupole ion trap and electrospray ionization Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass-spectrometric analysis. The saccharides formed 1:1 complexes with deprotonated resorcinarenes, which exhibited clear size and structure selectivity in their complexation. In the case of the monosaccharides, hexoses formed much more abundant and kinetically stable complexes than pentoses or deoxyhexoses. A comparison of the mono-, di-, and oligosaccharides revealed that both the relative abundance and stability of the complexes increase up to biose and triose, but start to decrease after that point, as the length of the oligosaccharide is increased. This behavior was rationalized by comparing the lowest-energy conformations of the complexes formed between the resorcinarene and oligosaccharides. This comparison was achieved by using theoretical calculations and X-ray crystal studies.     

Calixarenes and calix[4]resorcinarenes as chiral NMR solvating agents

Calixarenes (CAs) and calix[4]resorcinarenes are cavity compounds, chiral analogues of which have the potential to be used as reagents for the differentiation of enantiomers in NMR spectroscopy. The nature of the substituent groups attached to the cavity permits the preparation of organic- or water-soluble analogues. In NMR applications, chirality of the CAs or calix[4]resorcinarene is usually achieved through the attachment of enantiomerically pure substituent groups. The use of inherently chiral analogues for chiral differentiation is less common. The range of CAs and calix[4]resorcinarenes that have been used for chiral analysis in NMR spectroscopy is reviewed.     

Ion‐Pair Recognition of Tetramethylammonium Salts by Halogenated Resorcinarenes

The non‐covalent interactions of different upper‐rim‐substituted C₂‐resorcinarenes with tetramethylammonium salts were analyzed in the gas phase in an Electrospray Ionization Fourier‐transform ion‐cyclotron‐resonance (ESI‐FTICR) mass spectrometer and by ¹H NMR titrations. The order of binding strengths of the hosts towards the tetramethylammonium cation in the gas phase reflects the electronic nature of the substituents on the upper rim of the resorcinarene. In solution, however, a different trend with particularly high binding constants for halogenated resorcinarenes has been observed. This trend can be explained by a synergetic effect originating from the interaction of the halogenated resorcinarenes with the counter anions through hydrogen bonding. This study highlights the importance of weak interactions in recognition processes and points out the benefits of comparing the gas‐phase data with results obtained from solution experiments.     

Ion-pair recognition of tetramethylammonium salts by halogenated resorcinarenes

The non-covalent interactions of different upper-rim-substituted C(2)-resorcinarenes with tetramethylammonium salts were analyzed in the gas phase in an Electrospray Ionization Fourier-transform ion-cyclotron-resonance (ESI-FTICR) mass spectrometer and by (1)H NMR titrations. The order of binding strengths of the hosts towards the tetramethylammonium cation in the gas phase reflects the electronic nature of the substituents on the upper rim of the resorcinarene. In solution, however, a different trend with particularly high binding constants for halogenated resorcinarenes has been observed. This trend can be explained by a synergetic effect originating from the interaction of the halogenated resorcinarenes with the counter anions through hydrogen bonding. This study highlights the importance of weak interactions in recognition processes and points out the benefits of comparing the gas-phase data with results obtained from solution experiments.     

Structural Characterization of l-proline and Morpholine Appended Chiral Calix[4]resorcinarene Molecules

Calix[4]resorcinarenes serve as host molecules for small guest molecules. Recently calixarenes have been appended to chiral molecules in an attempt to promote chiral recognition. To take advantage of both cavity host and chiral substituent properties the position of the chiral moiety is important. We report the synthesis and structural characterization of two calix[4]resorcinarene based molecules that have helical chirality in the solid state. The calix[4]resorcinarene 1 has chiral l-proline ethyl ester substituents positioned perpendicular to the cavity whereas the calix[4]resorcinarene 2 has morpholines positioned parallel to the cavity which extend the depth of the cavity. Compound 1 is one of the first compounds to show the position of chiral centers with respect to the calixarene cavity. 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy indicate that the helical chirality of 2 is retained at low temperature in nonpolar solvents.     

Extraction and Dispersion of Large Gold Nanoparticles in Nonpolar Solvents

Gold nanoparticles up to 70 nm in diameter could be extracted from aqueous solutions into nonpolar organic solvents by tetrathiolated resorcinarenes 1 and 2. The resorcinarene-coated nanoparticles formed stable dispersions in toluene and chloroform and could be passed through a crosslinked polystyrene column without significant degradation, but exhibited variable resistance to alkanethiol-induced flocculation. Gold nanoparticles encapsulated by resorcinarene 2 were found to be exceptionally stable even in the presence of propanethiol and dodecanethiol, with an approximate dispersion half-life of one month at room temperature.     

四烷基间苯二酚杯芳烃八[N-(2-吡啶甲基)乙酰胺]的合成和分子结构

为深入开展杯芳烃为骨架的超分子拓扑结构的组装和性能,开展了间苯二酚杯芳烃八取代吡啶酰胺的合成和分子结构的研究。 以四丙基、四己基和四庚基间苯二酚杯芳烃为原料,使用α-氯乙酸甲酯实现O-烃基化,后者在无溶剂条件下与2-氨甲基吡啶反应实现酰胺化,制备了烷基间苯二酚杯芳烃八[N-(2-吡啶甲基)乙酰胺]衍生物。 用X衍射方法测定了四丙基间苯二酚杯芳烃八乙酸甲酯、四丙基以及四己基间苯二酚杯芳烃八[N-(2-吡啶甲基)乙酰胺]的单晶分子结构。 在晶体中,间苯二酚杯芳烃都以全顺式构型存在,在成环的四个间苯二酚单元中,1,3-位的两个间苯二酚单元处于近直立构象,2,4-位的另两个间苯二酚单元处于近平伏构象,而4个烷基皆处于分子的下缘,8个乙酰胺支链伸向分子的外围。     

Bismuth compounds in organic synthesis. Synthesis of resorcinarenes using bismuth triflate

Bismuth triflate (5 mol%) smoothly catalyzes the condensation of aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes with resorcinol to give tetrameric cyclic products, resorcinarenes. With benzaldehyde, the product is obtained as a mixture of two diastereomers and the ratio of the diastereomers depends on reaction time. On the other hand, a single diastereomer is obtained with aliphatic aldehydes. The low toxicity and ease of handling of bismuth compounds coupled with fast reaction times make this method an attractive alternative to the existing methods for resorcinarene formation.