Biochemistry of anionic calix[n]arenes

This review treats the biological properties of the various anionic calix[n]arenes, both as soluble forms and in the colloidal state. The complexation of these molecules with amino-acids, peptides and proteins is discussed, as is their interaction with model membranes. The complexations with various Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients as complexes, for tamoxifen as solid state and colloidal structures, are treated in depth. Two sections deal with the direct biological action of the calix[n]arenes and their use as biosensors. A final section deals with the toxicity, in reality the lack of toxicity of the calix[n]arenes.     

杯芳烃和柱芳烃桥梁部位的衍生及其功能化

随着大环化学的快速发展,对杯芳烃、柱芳烃及其他类似化合物的桥梁亚甲基部位进行高效修饰的方法日益引起人们的关注.桥梁部位修饰后的大环衍生物,在不改变其原有属性的基础上增加了新的功能,不仅可以引入更多的功能基团,而且可以通过主客体的自组装行为,进一步拓展杯芳烃和柱芳烃等超分子大环在药物递送、化学传感、荧光体系构建等诸多领域...     

Supramolecular interactions of [60]- and [70]fullerenes with calix[n]arenes

[60]- and [70]fullerenes have been shown to form 1:1 supramolecular complexes with (i) 24,26-dimethoxy-25,27-dihydroxy-5,11,17,23-tetra(4-tert-butyl)calix[4]arene (1) and (ii) 37,39,41-trimethoxy-38,40,42-trihydroxy-5,11,17,23,29,35-hexa(4-tert-butyl)calix[6]arene (2) in CCl(4) medium by absorption spectroscopy. Charge transfer absorption bands of the complexes have been located in each of the cases (except [70]fullerene-2 complex) studied from which the vertical ionisation potential of 1 has been obtained. Formation constants of the complexes have been determined at four different temperatures from which the enthalpies and entropies of formation of the complexes have been obtained. Moreover, the formation constant of [70]fullerene-2 complex is higher than that of the [60]fullerene-1 and [60]fullerene-2 complexes at all the four temperatures studied. This has been accounted in terms of greater cavity size of 2 which is a calix[6]arene compared to 1 which is a calix[4]arene and also by the fact that a high degree of preorganisation takes place in case of 2 through intramolecular H-bonding at its lower rim.     

Synthesis of chiral calix[n]arenes. Part 2: Synthesis of new chiral calix[n]arenes based on (p-hydroxy-phenyl)-menthone

The synthesis of new chiral calix[n]arenes, related to Corey's phenyl-menthol, is described. Starting from enantiomerically pure (R)-(+)-pulegone, calix[n]arenes with different ring sizes could be obtained in reasonable yield.     

Azobenzene-bridged calix[8]arenes

An azobenzene bridge was introduced into the lower (or smaller) rim of p-tert-butylcalix[8]arene (1) and 1,5-calix[8]crown-3 (2) to form 1,4-singly bridged (3) and 1,5:3,7-doubly bridged (4) calix[8]arene derivatives, respectively. Trans and cis isomers of conformationally rigid 4 were isolated. The quantum yields of the trans-cis photoisomerisation reactions have been measured.     

Capillary electrophoresis separation of p-sulfonated calix[n]arenes, n=4,6,8

The CE separation of p-sulfonated calix[n]arenes, where n=4,6 and 8, was investigated. Under positive potential conditions optimum separation was found to be borate buffer modified with sodium dodecyl sulfate. Under these conditions separation was achieved in less than 10 min. The effect on the separation of the addition of divalent cations: Mg(2+), Ca(2+) and Ba(2+) was studied. p-Sulfonatedcalixarenes were detected in the anodic side of the capillary. There was an improvement in the reproducibility and analysis time although efficiency did not improve significantly.     

Fullerene encapsulation with calix[5]arenes

This paper presents the synthesis of the fullerene hosts based on the calix[5]arenes and their binding properties. Calix[5]arenes 1a, 2, 3a bind C₆₀ or C₇₀ in organic solvents. The solvent effect of the fullerene complexation was clearly observed; the association constant decreases in a solvent with high solubility for C₆₀. Covalently linked double-calix[5]arenes 4-6 were also investigated on their binding properties for fullerenes in organic solvents. Their binding abilities for both C₆₀ and C₇₀ are extremely high in toluene solution. Higher binding selectivity toward C₇₀ is observed by all the double-calix[5]arenes. The selectivity of 5a toward C₇₀/C₆₀ is highest in toluene with a value of 10. The structures of the supramolecular complexes of the calix[5]arene hosts and C₆₀ or C₇₀ were investigated by using ¹H and ¹³C NMR studies. The molecular mechanics calculation and X-ray structure reveal that the interior of the calix[5]arene is complementary to the exterior of C₆₀ molecule. In contrast, the host-guest complexes of C₇₀ with the simple calix[5]arenes take many conformational options due to its less symmetric shape. The molecular mechanics calculation and our chemical shift simulation nicely worked to estimate the reliable structures; the calix[5]arene cavity takes up C₇₀ molecule, and the C₇₀ molecule tilts significantly from the C5 axis of the calix[5]arene. In the case of the host-guest complex of C₇₀ with the double-calix[5]arene, the molecular dynamics simulation of the host-guest complex represented the realistic movement of the bound C₇₀ inside the cavity. The combination of the molecular dynamics simulation and the chemical shift simulation of the host-guest complex suggested that the C₇₀ molecule rapidly moves inside the cavity.     

Synthesis and evaluation of deep cavity imidazolyl calix[n]arenes

A series of deep cavity diphenyl imidazolyl calix[n]arenes (4, 6, 8) have been obtained from readily available starting materials through a five step synthetic methodology involving appropriate alkylation of lower rim of preformed calixarene, formylation of the upper rim and subsequent condensation with aryl diketones in the presence of ammonium acetate and glacial acetic acid. Optimized reaction conditions for obtaining the titled derivatives in their cone configuration and their characterization by spectroscopic methods (IR, UV, NMR and FAB mass) have been delineated. The synthesized imidazolyl calixarenes have preliminarily been examined for selective recognition of monovalent metal ions (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Cs⁺, Ag⁺).     

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.     

Controlled self-assembly by mono-p-sulfonatocalix[n]arenes and bis-p-sulfonatocalix[n]arenes

The complexation-induced critical aggregation concentrations of 1-pyrenemethylaminium by mono-p-sulfonatocalix[n]arenes and bis-p-sulfonatocalix[n]arenes (n=4, 5) were systemically measured by fluorescence spectroscopy. In all cases, the complexation-induced critical aggregation concentration decreases by about 3 times upon addition of p-sulfonatocalix[n]arenes. However, the optimal molar ratios for the aggregation of 1-pyrenemethylaminium by mono-p-sulfonatocalix[n]arenes and bis-p-sulfonatocalix[n]arenes are distinctly different: For mono-p-sulfonatocalix[n]arenes, the optimum mixing ratio for the aggregation of 1-pyrenemethylaminium is 1:4 mono-p-sulfonatocalix[n]arenes/1-pyrenemethylaminium, whereas only 2.5 molecules of 1-pyrenemethylaminium can be bound by one cavity of bis-p-sulfonatocalix[n]arenes. The intermolecular complexation of mono-p-sulfonatocalix[n]arenes and bis-p-sulfonatocalix[n]arenes with 1-pyrenemethylaminium led to the formation of two distinctly different nanoarchitectures, which were shown to be nanoscale vesicle and rod aggregates, respectively, by using dynamic laser scattering, TEM, and SEM. This behavior is also different from the fiber-like aggregates with lengths of several micrometers that were formed by 1-pyrenemethylaminium itself above its critical aggregation concentration. Furthermore, the obtained nanoaggregates exhibit benign water solubility, self-labeled fluorescence, and, more importantly, temperature responsiveness.     

Selective membrane transport of amino acids by functionalised calix[4]arenes

The selective active transport through liquid membrane assisted by the pH gradient of amino acid methylesters by using a series of calix[4]arenes substituted by acid and amido functions, glycolic chains, and hydroxyl groups as carriers has been performed. All these receptors have been found to act as carriers for transport of aromatic amino acid methylesters from the aqueous source phase to the aqueous receiving phase aiming at their separation. The receptors bearing diacid and tetraamido functions have the better ability to transport of amino acids than the other receptors studied. The influence of calixarene and amino acid structures upon transport through liquid membrane is discussed. The obtained results are correlated with those acquired by solvent extraction.     

Regioselective ipso-nitration of calix[4]arenes

A novel protection/deprotection method leading to the regioselective ipso-substitution of calix[4]arenes is described. The introduction of nosyl (p-nitrobenzenesulfonyl) groups into the lower rim of partly alkylated tert-butylcalix[4]arenes leads subsequently to the exclusive ipso-nitration of the alkylated phenol rings, while the protecting groups can be easily removed in the next step. This method gives dialkoxy- or trialkoxy-substituted calix[4]arenes with nitro groups on the alkylated rings and tert-butyl groups on the remaining ones. The above substitution pattern is complementary to the isomers so far known in the chemistry of calix[4]arenes and could be used in the design of novel type of calixarene-based receptors.     

Nonlinear optical properties in calix[n]arenes: orientation effects of monomers

We investigate the nonlinear optical (NLO) polarizations for various geometric arrangements of the dipolar chromophores in a calix[n]arene geometry. The interactions were studied by using (HF)3 as model compounds both in parallel and frustrated orientations. The interdipolar angle between the monomer molecules is varied so that many different arrangements of the dipoles can be realized which is associated with the opening up of the calix[n]arene rings. Quantum-chemical calculations at both ab initio and semiempirical levels, show that the all-parallel arrangement of the dipoles exhibit the maximum magnitude for the nonlinear optical coefficients at small interdipolar angles for all interdipolar distances. In the frustrated orientations however, the NLO response is maximum at large interdipolar angles corresponding to the flattened calix[n]arene rings. The role of hydrogen bonding in stabilizing these assemblies in various conformations has been investigated. Crystallographic database analysis for calix[3]arenes shows that optical properties in real molecular systems can be modeled based on our simple interaction theory.     

Percolation model of conductivity of calix[n]arene-p-sulfonic acids

Proton conductivity of special class of aromatic sulfonic acids is described, in particular, calixarene sulfonic acids that consist of flat anionic layers interlinked by labile two-dimensional hydrogen-bond network. High proton conductivity of their hydrates was observed earlier. The dependence of their transport characteristics (the proton conductivity, the activation energy of conductivity) was shown to have threshold character. The studied systems’ behavior is described on basis of percolation model that assumes changing of the proton transport mechanism at low water content in the structure.     

Head-to-tail connected double calix[4]arenes

Summary New macrotricyclic compounds consisting of two calix[4]arene substructures connected by aliphatic chains of various length (three to five carbon atoms) between two oppositep-positions and two distal phenolic oxygens have been synthesized. Starting withp-tert-butyl-calix[4]arene, two O-protected phenolic units are attachedvia ether links in 1,3-position by reaction with the corresponding tosylates. After deprotection, the new calix[4]arene is formed by fragment condensation with 2,6-bisbromomethylated 4-alkylphenols. The structure of one example (8c) has been confirmed by single crystal X-ray analysis. Both calixarene parts assume the cone conformation, a molecule of acetonitrile being included in both cavities.

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Doppelte Calix[4]arene in Kopf-Schwanz-Verknüpfung

Zusammenfassung Neue makrotricyclische Verbindungen, in denen zwei Calix[4]aren-Einheiten durch aliphatische Ketten unterschiedlicher Länge (drei bis fünf C-Atome) zwischen zwei gegenüberliegendenp-Positionen und zwei gegenüberliegenden Phenolsauerstoffen verknüpft sind, wurden hergestellt. Ausgehend vonp-tert-Butyl-calix[4]aren werden zunächst zwei O-geschützte Phenolbausteine in 1,3-Stellung durch Umsetzung mit den entsprechenden Tosylaten etherartig gebunden. Nach Abspaltung der Benzylether-Schutzgruppe wird durch Fragmentkondensation mit 2,6-bisbrommethylierten 4-Alkylphenolen das neue Calix[4]aren gebildet. Für8c wurde die Struktur durch Einkristallröntgenstrukturanalyse bestätigt. Beide Calixarenteile nehmen diecone-Konformation ein, wobei in die beiden Hohlräume je ein Molekül Acetonitril eingeschlossen wird.

     

Upper rim tetrathiafulvalene-bridged calix[4]arenes

The synthesis of novel upper rim calix[4]arene-tetrathiafulvalene conjugates 1a-d has been performed by bridging the tetrachloromethylated calix[4]arene derivative 4 with the corresponding tetrathiafulvalene-dithiolates. The cyclic voltammetry of 1a-d shows a two-step oxidation behavior, whereas NMR binding titrations showed their binding affinity to pyridinium salts. X-ray structure of 4 features calixarene fixed in the pinched cone conformation; its crystal packing is defined by the network of C-H···Cl weak hydrogen bonds.     

Tetraalkynyl calix[4]arenes with advanced NLO properties

Rigid, highly conjugated tetraalkynyl-calix[4]arenes synthesised via Sonogashira coupling give rise to improved second-order hyperpolarizability values as determined by hyper-Rayleigh scattering--a technique that in addition to X-ray crystallography also allows for the conformational analysis of the calixarene structures in solution.     

A Preliminary Investigation of the Solution Complexation of 4-Sulphonic calix[n]arenes with Testosterone

The complexation between water soluble calixarenes and testosterone has been studied. Stability constants of the host guest complexes of 4-sulphonic calix[n]arenes (n = 4, 6 and 8) with testosterone in water and buffers (pH 5.8, 7.3 and 10.0) were determined from phase solubility curves. These solubility curves indicated that the complexes were all of the A_L type. The constants were in the range 26–341 M^-1, dependent on the size of the calixarene and the pH of the solutions.     

Dendritic octa-CMPO derivatives of calix[4]arenes

Calix[4]arenes substituted at the narrow or wide rim by eight carbamoylmethyl-phosphine oxide (CMPO) functions in a dendritic manner were synthesised and studied in extraction of Eu³⁺ and Am³⁺ from aqueous nitric acid into o-nitrophenylhexyl ether. ¹H NMR relaxivity titrations for a wide rim octa-CMPO reveal the clear formation of a solvent-free 1:2 ligand/metal complex, while the wide rim tetra-CMPO formed oligomeric complexes under similar conditions.