Construction of Hydrocarbon Nanobelts

Linearly fused hydrocarbon nanobelts are a unique type of double‐stranded macrocycles that would serve as not only the powerful hosts in supramolecular science but also the templates to grow zig‐zag carbon nanotubes with defined diameters. Fully conjugated hydrocarbon nanobelts such as belt[n]arenes would also possess unique physical and chemical properties. Despite the importance, both fully conjugated and (partially) saturated hydrocarbon nanobelts remain largely unexplored because of the lack of cyclization methods. Reported here is the construction of nanometer sized H₁₂‐belt[12]arenes based on the strategy to close up all fjords of resorcin[6]arene by means of six‐fold intramolecular alkylation reactions of resorcin[6]arene derivatives. All resulting H₁₂‐belt[12]arenes produce a very similar nanobelt core structure with six benzene rings and six boat 1,4‐cyclohexadiene rings being alternately linear‐fused to give a nearly equilateral hexagonal cylinder. The average long diagonal is around 1 nm and the height of the cylinder is about 0.3 nm. The acquired H₁₂‐belt[12]arenes would be the potential precursors to various hydrocarbon nanobelts including fully conjugated belt[12]arenes.     

Calixarene-Based Dendrimers. A Timely Review

This timely review focuses on the synthesis of dendrimers from calix[4]arenes and thiacalix[4]arenes. Some interesting features of these calix-dendrimers are given.     

硫代杯[6]芳烃衍生物从汽车尾气净化催化剂残渣中选择性识别贵金属离子的研究

以对叔丁基硫代杯[6]芳烃(p-tert-butyl-thiacalix[6]arene, TC6A)为底物, 对其上缘进行脱叔丁基、氯甲基化反应后, 在无水N,N-二甲基甲酰胺(DMF)溶液中将氯甲基化的硫代杯[6]芳烃与硫代乙酸钾进行反应合成了一种新的TC6A衍生物--乙酰硫甲基硫代杯[6]芳烃(TC6A-CH₂SCOCH₃). 对含有铂族金属离子的车用尾气净化催化剂残渣溶液进行萃取研究表明, 在pH为1.5的萃取液中TC6A-CH₂SCOCH₃对其中的钯离子具有最高的选择性萃取能力, 萃取率可达86.2%,在pH为4.0的萃取液中对锆离子具有第二高的选择性萃取能力, 萃取率可达57.3%.     

Catalytic Approach for the Synthesis of bis‐Calixarenes

Three new tail‐to‐tail linked biscalix[6]arenes joined via ether linkages have been synthesized. These bis calix[6]arenes have been characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and mass spectroscopy and elemental analysis.     

New preorganized calix[4]arenes. Part I. A doubly-crowned calix and a double-calixcrown derived from 4,6,10,12,16,18,22,24,25,26,27,28-Dodecamethyl-5,11,17,23-tetrahydroxycalix[4] arene

A doubly-crowned calix and a double-calixcrown derived from 4,6,10,12,16,18,22,24,25,26,27, 28-dodecamethyl-5,11,17, 23-tetrahydroxycalix[4]arene (1) have been prepared by reaction of appropriate oligoethylene glycol ditosylates with (1) in acetonitrile in the presence of potassium carbonate. A potassium template effect is observed during one of the double cyclizations.     

Synthesis and Complexing Properties of Four New Tetraamido-type p-tert-Butyl Calix[4]arenes Presenting Two Proximal Binding Subunits

The synthesis of four new tetraamido-type p-tert-butylcalix[4]arenes presenting two proximal binding subunits is reported. Complexation of alkalimetals and zinc picrates with these ligands have been carried out and monitored by ¹H-NMR inCDCl₃. It is shown that hard cations are included in the tetraamido cavity while thezinc cation is chelated to the pyridine rings of one of the ligands. The formation of a 1:1:1heterobinuclear complex is also described     

Synthesis and Structure of a Bis-calix[4]arene with an o-Xylene Linkage

The reaction of p-tert-butyl calix[4]arene 1 with,'-dibromo-o-xylene in basic conditions leads totwo new compounds. One of them is a bis-calix[4]arene, whose crystal structure has been determined.     

Host-Guest Complexation of Oxaliplatin and Para-Sulfonatocalix[n]Arenes for Potential Use in Cancer Therapy

P-sulfonatocalix[n]arenes have demonstrated a great potential for encapsulation of therapeutic drugs via host-guest complexation to improve solubility, stability, and bioavailability of encapsulated drugs. In this work, guest-host complexes of a third-generation anticancer drug (oxaliplatin) and p-4-sulfocalix[n]arenes (n = 4 and 6; p-SC4 and p-SC6, respectively) were prepared and investigated, using ¹H NMR, UV, Job’s plot analysis, and DFT calculations, for use as cancer therapeutics. The peak amplitude of the prepared host-guest complexes was linearly proportional to the concentration of oxaliplatin in the range of 1.0 × 10⁻⁵ M⁻¹ to 2.1 × 10⁻⁴ M⁻¹. The reaction stoichiometry between either p-SC4 or p-SC6 and oxaliplatin in the formed complexes was 1:1. The stability constants for the complexes were 5.07 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ and 6.3 × 10⁴ M⁻¹. These correspond to complexation free energy of −6.39 and −6.52 kcal/mol for p-SC4 and p-SC6, respectively. Complexation between oxaliplatin and p-SC4 or p-SC6 was found to involve hydrogen bonds. Both complexes exhibited enhanced biological and high cytotoxic activities against HT-29 colorectal cells and MCF-7 breast adenocarcinoma compared to free oxaliplatin, which warrants further investigation for cancer therapy.     

Functionalized thiacalix- and calix[4]arene-based Ag ionophores: synthesis and comparative NMR study

Thiacalix[4]arene ionophores comprised of cyclic or linear O,S,N ligating and/or π-coordinate groups on the lower rim were synthesized and their Ag⁺ binding was studied by ¹H NMR methods in comparison with the respective known and novel calix[4]arene counterparts. Calix[4](O,S,N)crowns were found stronger binders than the π-coordinate molecules and thiacalixarene ionophores were generally superior to calixarenes. This study helped to develop silver ion-selective electrodes working in the subnanomolar region.     

Synthesis of conformationally diverse tetrathiacalix[4]arene(amido)crowns and tetrathiacalix[4]arene amides with pendant amine functions

A series of conformationally diverse novel tetrathiacalix[4]arene(amido)crowns and amides from tetrakis((ethoxycarbonyl)methoxy)p-tert-butyl tetrathiacalix[4]arene and its debutylated analog have been prepared by their reaction with diamines [H₂N(CH₂)_nNH₂; n=2,3,4, and 6] and polyamines. It has been determined that the length of the alkyl spacer in diamines is pivotal for the formation of either the tetrathiacalix[4]arene bis(amido)crowns or tetrathiacalix[4]arene amides with pendant amine functions. The synthesized compounds represent potential building blocks for achieving sophisticated molecular assemblies for molecular organization and recognition. Single crystal X-ray analysis of tetrathiacalix[4]arene bis(amido)crown 6a revealed that it has a 1,3-alternate conformation, which forms supramolecular complexes with chloroform.     

Aminolysis of p-tert-butyltetrathiacalix[4]arene tetraethylacetates in cone, partial cone and 1,3-alternate conformation: synthesis of amide based receptors for oxyanions

Cone, partial cone and 1,3-alternate conformers of tetrathiacalix[4]arene tetraethylacetate were synthesized and subjected to aminolysis with alkyl amines [CH₃(CH₂)_nNH₂; n=2, 3, 5] to yield mono-, di-, tri- or tetrasubstituted p-tert-butyltetrathiacalix[4]arene amides which were characterized by detailed analysis of their NMR spectral and single crystal X-ray crystallography. It has been observed that while the 1,3-alternate and cone conformers of the tetrathiacalix[4]arene tetraethylacetate gave corresponding tetrathiacalix[4]arene tetraamides under different experimental conditions, the corresponding partial cone conformer undergoes a cascade of regioselective reactions with the same amines. Variable temperature ¹H NMR experiments allowed the determination of relative stability of different conformers within the temperature range of 298-333 K. The synthesized derivatives were evaluated as molecular extractants for cations and anions and were determined to facilitate extraction of oxyanions (CrO₄²⁻ and Cr₂O₇²⁻) from aqueous to the organic phase. The studies have a significance in the design of tetrathiacalix[n]arene based molecular receptors for innovative applications.     

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.     

Extraction of technetium(vii) by calix[4]arene tetraketones and tetraesters from acidic and basic media

Tetrasubstituted on the lower rim calix[4]arenes, containing carbonyl and ester groups, and existing in a cone conformation are selective and efficient extracting agents for Tc^VII extraction from both acidic and basic solutions.     

Helic[6]arene-Based Chiral Pseudo[1]rotaxanes and [1]Rotaxanes

Chiral pseudo[1]rotaxanes and [1]rotaxanes constructed from macrocyclic arenes still remain a big challenge mainly owing to the lack of such chiral macrocycles. In this work, a new system of chiral pseudo[1]rotaxanes formed by self-inclusion of helic[6]arene containing amide linked with the terminal tertiary amines was first discovered. Based on an atom-economic stopping strategy, a pair of chiral [1]rotaxanes were conveniently obtained in almost quantitative yields by blocking the pseudo[1]rotaxanes with monobenzyl bromide of tetraphenylethene. The structures of pseudo[1]rotaxanes and [1]rotaxanes were characterized by 2D NMR spectra in solution, combined with DFT calculations. The photophysical properties further revealed the efficient chirality transfer of helic[6]arene to the tetraphenylethene moiety, compared to their unthreaded chiral isomers. The discovery of the chiral pseudo[1]rotaxanes allows for a wide and available synthesis of chiral [1]rotaxanes, and also opening a new avenue to the design of chiral supramolecular materials.     

Chlorination of Calix[4]arene Derivatives

New convenient method for synthesis of p-chlorinated calix[4]arenes is reported. The sulfuryl chloride was used for chlorination of unsubstituted at the lower rim calix[4]arenes. The products of this reaction were very suitable for further O-alkylation.     

Synthesis of New Rigid Dimeric Calix[4]arene

A new Dimeric calixarene from the head to head linkage of two calix[4]arene units fixed in the cone conformation was synthesized via Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction. The structure of 10 was confirmed by NMR, MS and IR-spectroscopy.     

A Facile Method to Synthesize Spiro-calix[4]arenes

Calixarenes have absorbed considerable interests for their outstanding abilities of recognition for cations, anions and organic molecules1. In order to include larger and more complex molecules, polytopic receptors were designed from two or more host macrocycles linked by one or several links. Therefore, double-calixarenes and oligocalixarenes have been synthesized and reviewed2. Among these polytopic receptors, double-calixarenes can be used as the mimic of ion channel or to self-organize koi…     

25-Alkoxy-26-benzoyloxycalix[4]arenes: the reaction mechanism of benzoyl migration

In the presence of K₂CO₃ as reaction base, the 25-alkoxy-27-benzoyloxy-calix[4]arenes were converted into 25-alkoxy-26-benzoyloxy derivatives by benzoyl-migration. A benzoyl-migrated reaction mechanism with a cyclic orthobenzoate-like intermediate was proposed, and the mechanism was supported by the identical reaction results on the conversion of 25-ethoxy-27-benzoyloxycalix[4]arene to 25-ethoxy-26-benzoyloxycalix[4]arene, and vice versa.     

Unprecedented cyclisations of calix[4]arenes under the Mitsunobu protocol. Part 3: Thiacalix[4]crowns versus dimers

Intermolecular couplings versus intramolecular ring closures were observed in the reaction of p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene and diethylene glycols affording dimers 2 and/or the inherently chiral 1,2-thiacalix[4]crown-3 derivatives 5 under the Mitsunobu protocol. The enantiomeric separation of 5a was achieved by chiral HPLC. The reaction of thiacalix[4]monocrowns 1 with diethylene glycols failed to give crowned thiacalix-tubes 7, instead biscrowns 8 were formed. Partially alkylated double thiacalix[4]arenes 10, 11 were obtained via the base promoted alkylations of a thiacalixarene dimer 2a containing diethyleneoxy linkers.