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.     

Synthesis and capsule formation of upper rim substituted tetra-acrylamido calix[4]arenes

Upper rim substituted tetraiodo calix[4]arenes are coupled to a variety of acrylamides using the palladium catalysed Heck reaction. Tetra-acrylamido upper rim substituted calix[4]arenes are obtained in good yields with exceptionally high stereoselectivity, to produce the all-trans isomers. Tetra-acrylamido calix[4]arenes derived from secondary acrylamides are shown to dimerise via eight hydrogen bonds to form dimeric capsules, which are able to include small organic molecules.     

Upper rim substituted thiacalix[4]arenes

The synthesis and structure of new tetrahydroxythiacalix[4]arenes, existing in the cone conformation and possessing reactive bromide, chloromethyl or diorganylphosphoryl groups on the upper rim of the macrocycle are described. The molecular structure of tetrakis(diisopropoxyphosphorylmethyl)thiacalix[4]arene was examined by X-ray crystallography.     

Regioselective upper rim substitution of calix[4]arenes

The electrophilic substitution of 25,27-dipropoxy-26,28-dinosyloxycalix[4]arene leads exclusively to the para-substitution of the alkylated phenol rings, while in the next step, the protecting nosyl group can be easily removed using a basic hydrolysis. The overall process yields dialkoxycalix[4]arenes with the substitution on the alkylated rings—the substitution pattern, which is complementary to the common dialkoxycalix[4]arenes with substituted nonalkylated phenolic units. The usefulness of this protection/deprotection procedure was documented by the synthesis of novel type of calixarene dipropoxy derivatives, and by the preparation of a novel anion receptor based on this substitution pattern.     

Photoswitchable calix[4]arenes bearing dihydroacridine substituents at the upper rim

Eight new calix[4]arene host molecules bearing acridinium or the corresponding dihydroacridine substituents have been prepared. ¹H NMR and electrochemical studies reveal that the acridinium substituents block the host cavity. Both photochemical and chemical switching between acridinium and dihydroacridine hosts are demonstrated.     

Alkylation of narrow rim calix[4]arenes in a DMSO-NaOH medium

An effective method of 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25,26-dialkoxy-27,28-dihydroxy-calix[4]arenes and 25,26,27,28-tetraalkoxycalix[4]arenes synthesis by alkylation of tetrahydroxycalix[4]arenes in a DMSO-NaOH medium was developed.     

Alkylation of narrow rim calix[4]arenes in a DMSO-NaOH medium

An effective method of 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25,26-dialkoxy-27,28-dihydroxy-calix[4]arenes and 25,26,27,28-tetraalkoxycalix[4]arenes synthesis by alkylation of tetrahydroxycalix[4]arenes in a DMSO-NaOH medium was developed.     

Thiacalix[4] arenes with terminal thiol groups at the lower rim: synthesis and structure

Methods were developed for the synthesis of ω-mercaptoalkoxy derivatives of thiacalix[4]-arenes in the 1,3-alternate conformation containing different numbers (2–5) of methylene spacers at the lower rim. The hydrazinolysis of the corresponding thioacetates is the most efficient method for the synthesis of these compounds.     

Calix[4]arenes containing benzodiazepinone fragments at the lower rim

A series of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene derivatives containing 1,4(1,5)-benzodiazepinone fragments as substituents were prepared. The biological activity of the compounds, namely, their antispasmodic activity in mice, was evaluated by antagonism with a spasmodic agent, Corazol, upon transdermal administration. According to the data obtained, benzodiazepine derivatives of calixarenes show higher antispasmodic activity compared to 3-hydroxyphenazepam, taking into account their considerably higher molecular weight.     

Synthesis of novel calix[4]arenes containing organosilicon groups

Metalation of (RSiMe₂)₃CH (1a R = H, 1b R = Me, 1c R = Ph) with lithium diisopropylamide (LDA) or methyllithium in THF gave organolithium reagents (RSiMe₂)₃CLi, which reacted with the formylated calixarene (2), to give the corresponding 5,17-bis[2,2-bis(organosilyl)-1-ethenyl]-25,26,27,28-tetrapropoxycalix[4]arenes (3a, 3b and 3c) via the Peterson olefination. The compounds (RSiMe₂)₃CLi were treated with 25,26,27,28-tetrakis(4-bromobutoxy)calix[4]arene (4) to give 25,26,27,28-tetrakis[4-(tris(dimethylsilyl)methyl)butoxy] calix[4]arene (5a) and 25,26,27,28-tetrakis[4-(tris(trimethylsilyl)methyl)butoxy] calix[4]arene (5b) via nucleophilic substitution reactions. However the compound 25,26,27,28-tetrakis[4-(tris(dimethylphenylsilyl)methyl)butoxy] calix[4]arene (5c) was not obtained, presumably because (PhSiMe₂)₃C- is highly sterically hindered and the reactivity of its derivatives is low. The compound 5a has potential as a core for dendrimers.     

Wide rim urethanes derived from calix[4]arenes: synthesis and self-assembly

[reaction: see text] Calix[4]arenes 4, substituted at the wide rim by four N-tolyl-urethane groups, were synthesized, as well as derivatives 10a,b bearing two or three tolyl-urea groups beside of one or two urethane group(s). In contrast to tetra-tolyl urea 11, the urethane derivatives do not form hydrogen-bonded, dimeric capsules in CDCl3 or benzene-d6, but the dimerization can be induced for the triurea 10b by tetraethylammonium cations as guests. The quantitative formation of heterodimers is observed for all urethanes 4 and 10a,bin benzene-d6 in mixtures with a "tetra-loop" tetraurea 14, while "bisloop" tetraureas 13 require di- or triurea derivatives 10a,b for a clean heterodimerization.     

Direct access to upper rim substituted mono- and diaryloxy calix[4]arenes via bis(spirodienone) route

A seemingly ipso-like nucleophilic substitution of the upper rim of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene is accomplished by an indirect method involving calix[4]arene derived bis(spirodienone). This method not only provides both mono and 1,3-diaryloxy calixarenes but also enables the synthesis of upper rim monothio substituted calix[4]arenes. A modification of the methodology can be successfully extended for the selective synthesis of mono- and 1,3-diquinone calix[4]arenes having free hydroxyl groups at the lower rim, in fewer steps.     

Delayed lanthanide luminescent Tb(III) complexes formed from lower rim amide functionalised calix[4]arenes

The synthesis and the photophysical studies of a new generation of time resolved luminescent systems based on calix[4]arenes alkylated at the lower rim, capable of hosting lanthanide (III) ions such as terbium and sensitising its emission, are described. Two series of ligands were designed to provide an ideal cavity to host terbium (Tb(III)) and were synthesised in high yields following two novel approaches. The tetra-alkylation, which was achieved in one step using with piperidino- and morpholino-acetamide pendant arms, provides eight donor atoms forming a binding ‘pocket’ at an ideal distance from the metal core to favour the sensitisation via the antenna effect. Of the two ligand series developed, compounds 3 and 4 possess a short spacer between the calix and the amide receptor site. The second series of ligands 6–7, designed with longer pendant amide arms, was synthesised from 2 in two steps through the ester analogue 5. The crystal structure of 3 (and 6 as shown in Supporting Information, available online) is presented. The synthesis and the photophysical studies of the four resulting complexes 3.Tb, 4.Tb, 6.Tb and 7.Tb are described in detail and in each case, successful sensitisation of the terbium emission occurred upon excitation of the phenolic scaffold of the calixarene.     

Synthesis of upper rim N-formamido and isocyanocalix[4]arenes: adaptation of Ugi-4-CR on calix[4]arenes towards peptide-like architectures

Methods are described for the selective diametrical functionalization of calix[4]arenes at the upper rim by formamide and isocyanide functional groups. The adaptation of Ugi-4-CR to calix[4]arenes leading to α-acylaminocarboxamide derivatives is also discussed.     

Synthesis and structure of lower rim C-linked N-tosyl peptidocalix[4]arenes

Chiral p-tert-butylcalix[4]arenes functionalized at the lower rim with amino acid residues have been prepared. The (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra indicate that the macrocycles preferably adopt a cone conformation. Calix[4]arenes bearing amino acid moieties were prepared as a class of receptors selective for anions that are bound through hydrogen bonding with the NH group. The association constants are dependent on the nature of the substituents at the lower rim. Derivative 9 shows the strongest complexation and the largest selectivity for N-tosyl-(L)-alaninate. Finally, a preliminary X-ray crystal study of the difunctionalized receptor 6f shows the "flattened cone" conformation in the solid state.     

Novel calix[4]resorcinols with sulfamide fragments in the lower rim

Russian Journal of General Chemistry - Novel calix[4]resorcinols modified by sulfamide fragments were synthesized via acid-catalyzed opening of the pyrrolidine ring in...     

Formation of upper rim acylated calix[4]arenes using a sacrificial zinc anode

A straightforward electrosynthetic method is described, which allows upper rim acylation of non-p-halogenated calix[4]arenes. For example, a solution of tetrapropoxycalix[4]arene 4 was electrolysed in the presence of ZnBr₂ in an undivided cell fitted with a sacrificial zinc anode using pure acetonitrile as solvent, yielding an organozinc species, which was then treated with acetyl chloride in the presence of a palladium catalyst to afford 5,11-diacetyl-25,26,27,28-tetrapropoxycalix[4]arene 5 in ca. 35% yield after workup.     

Carborane inclusion chemistry for the uncommon calix[7,9]arenes

The inclusion of o-carborane by p-Bu(t)-calix[7,9]arenes has been investigated by solid state and solution studies, with both resulting complexes in the solid state being rich in carborane with the ratio of calixarene to carborane at 1 : 7 and 2 : 7 respectively. The carboranes reside in clefts within the calixarenes which arise from specific local conformations of adjacent phenolic groups, or are included in the extended structure through other interplay of the calixarenes and carboranes in such clefts.     

Anion receptors based on ureido-substituted thiacalix[4]arenes and calix[4]arenes

The regioselective nitration of 25,27-dipropoxythiacalix[4]arene was carried out as a key step in the synthesis of thiacalix[4]arene derivative bearing two arylureido functions on the upper rim. The preorganisation of ureido units using the thiacalix[4]arene/calix[4]arene moieties as a molecular scaffold gave novel anion receptors. These compounds, albeit based on hydrogen bonding interactions, show good complexation ability even in highly HB-competitive solvent, such as DMSO. Direct comparison of otherwise identical structures 6a and 7a revealed remarkable dominance of the thiacalix[4]arene derivative over its classical analogue in anion binding.