Inhibition of human dihydrofolate reductase by 2,4-diaminoquinazolines bearing simple substituents on the aromatic ring

A series of thirty eight 2,4-diaminoquinazolines having diverse substitution patterns on the aromatic ring was evaluated for inhibitory activity against dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) obtained from a human lymphoblast cell line. Many of these compounds were also evaluated as inhibitors of rat liver DHFR under the same experimental conditions. In most instances the results obtained with each enzyme were comparable indicating that the rodent enzyme is a suitable model for the human DHFR as far as the determination of I₅₀ values is concerned. The results demonstrate that relatively simple 5-substituted- or 5,6-disubstituted-2,4-diaminoquinazolines can be potent DHFR inhibitors. The presence of a nonpolar substituent at position 7 or 8 was highly detrimental to inhibitory potency.     

Synthesis of antimicrobial azoloazines and molecular docking for inhibiting COVID-19

Diverse new azoloazines were synthesized from the reaction of fluorinated hydrazonoyl chlorides with heterocyclic thiones, 1,8-diaminonaphthalene, ketene aminal derivatives, and 4-amino-5-triflouromethyl-1,2,4-triazole-2-thiol. The mechanistic pathways and the structures of all synthesized derivatives were discussed and assured based on the available spectral data. The synthesized azoloazine derivatives were evaluated for their antifungal and antibacterial activities through zone of inhibition measurement. The results revealed promising antifungal activities for compounds 4 , 5 , 17a , b , 19 , and 25 against the pathogenic fungal strains used; Aspergillus flavus and Candida albicans compared to ketoconazole. In addition, compounds 4 , 5 , 19 , and 25 showed moderate antibacterial activities against most tested bacterial strains. Molecular docking studies of the promising compounds were carried out on leucyl-tRNA synthetase active site of Candida albicans, suggesting good binding in the active site forming stable complexes. Moreover, docking of the synthesized compounds was performed on the active site of SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro to predict their potential as a hopeful anti-COVID and to investigate their binding pattern.     

Magnetic,spectroscopic and biological properties of copper(II) complexes of the tridentate ligand, α-N-methyl-S-methyl-β-N-(2-pyridyl)methylenedithiocarbazate(NNS) and the X-ray crystal structure of the [Cu(NNS)I2] complex

Copper(II) complexes of general formula, Cu(NNS)X ₂ · nH₂O (NNS = the 2-formylpyridine Schiff base of N-methyl-S-methyldithiocarbazate; X = Cl^–, Br^–, I^–, NCS^–; n = 0, 2) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and by magnetic and spectroscopic techniques. Based on magnetic and spectroscopic data, a monomeric five-coordinate square-pyramidal structure is assigned to these complexes. The crystal and molecular structure of [Cu(NNS)I₂] has been determined by X-ray diffraction. The complex has a monomeric square-pyramidal structure with the ligand coordinated to the copper(II) ion via the pyridine nitrogen atom, the azomethine nitrogen atom and the thione sulfur atom. The fourth and fifth coordination sites are occupied by the iodide ligands. Antimicrobial tests indicate that Schiff base is inactive against the bacteria, Bacillus subtilis (mutant defective DNA repair), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis (wild type) and weakly active against the fungi, Candida albicans, Candida lypolytica, Saccharomyces cereviseae and Aspergillus ochraceous but its copper(II) complexes, Cu(NNS)X ₂ are strongly active against these organisms. A cytotoxicity study of the compounds against leukemic and cervical cancer cells showed that the Schiff base is inactive, but the complexes, [Cu(NNS)I₂] and [Cu(NNS)(NCS)₂] · 2H₂O exhibit significant activity against cervical cancer cells with CD₅₀ values of 4.8 and 4.2 g, respectively.     

Crystal structure and conformational analysis of 1-[N-(2-bromophenyl)]naphthaldimine

1-[N-(2-bromophenyl)]naphthaldimine (C₁₇H₁₂NOBr) (1) was synthesised and its crystal structure was determined. The compound 1 is orthorhombic, space group P2₁2₁2₁ with a=12.653(2), b=13.7311(14), Z=4, R=0.032 for 499 reflections I>2σ(I)]. There is an intramolecular hydrogen bond of distance 2.473(3) Å between the hydroxyl oxygen atom and imine nitrogen atom, the hydrogen atom essentially being bonded to the oxygen atom. Minimum energy conformation was calculated as a function of torsion angle θ (C10-C11-N1-C12) varied every 5 degrees. The optimized geometry of the crystal structure corresponding to the non-planar conformation is the most stable conformation in all calculations. The results strongly indicate that the minimum energy conformation is primarily determined by hydrogen-hydrogen repulsions between the ortho-hydrogen atoms on the aldehyde rings. Complementary IR, ¹H NMR and UV measurements in solution and in the solid state were carried out.     

Dynamic solvation effects on surface-impact dissociation of I 2 - (CO2)n

Surface-impact dissociation of I ₂ ^- (CO₂)n was studied by a molecular dynamics simulation in comparison with the experimental results. The branching fraction, ? _dis, of the I ₂ ^- dissociation was calculated as a function of the parent cluster size, n. This computational result reproduces the experimental one. We calculated a number of the I ₂ ^- dissociation events starting from given initial orientations. The most favorable molecular orientation obtained supports the wedge effect in which a CO₂ molecule located at the waist position of the I ₂ ^- core ion splits the I ₂ ^- bond as if a piece of wood is split by a mechanical thrust against a wedge. The time profile of the wedge action calculated for the I ₂ ^- (CO₂) impact shows that more than 20 % of the collision energy is converted to the vibrational energy of the I ₂ ^- .     

Design,synthesis and biological evaluation of 3-(2-aminooxazol-5-yl)-2<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>-chromen-2-one derivatives

Background

In view of wide range of biological activities of oxazole, a new series of oxazole analogues was synthesized and its chemical structures were confirmed by spectral data (Proton/Carbon-NMR, IR, MS etc.). The synthesized oxazole derivatives were screened for their antimicrobial and antiproliferative activities.

Results and discussion

The antimicrobial activity was performed against selected fungal and bacterial strains using tube dilution method. The antiproliferative potential was evaluated against human colorectal carcinoma (HCT116) and oestrogen- positive human breast carcinoma (MCF7) cancer cell lines using Sulforhodamine B assay and, results were compared to standard drugs, 5-fluorouracil and tamoxifen, respectively.

Conclusion

The performed antimicrobial activity indicated that compounds 3, 5, 6, 8 and 14 showed promising activity against selected microbial species. Antiproliferative screening found compound 14 to be the most potent compound against HCT116 (IC₅₀?=?71.8 µM), whereas Compound 6 was the most potent against MCF7 (IC₅₀?=?74.1 µM). Further, the molecular docking study has been carried to find out the interaction between active oxazole compounds with CDK8 (HCT116) and ER-α (MCF7) proteins indicated that compound 14 and 6 showed good dock score with better potency within the ATP binding pocket and may be used as a lead for rational drug designing of the anticancer molecule.

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Energy minimization and molecular dynamics studies of Asn-102 elastase

Summary Four isomeric forms of the Asn-102 PPE (D 102 N mutant according to the emerging protocol, [Knowles, Science, 236 (1987) 1252–1258]) have been investigated using energy minimization (EM) and molecular dynamics (MD) techniques. MD simulation data for 175 ps are reported for each form (in total 700 ps for about 2500 atoms). The His-57 N-protonated forms are calculated to be more stable than the N-protonated ones. The active site region of the most stable form is very similar to that found in the D102N rat trypsin enzyme [Craik et al., Science, 237 (1987) 909–913]. Conformations of the active sites and their hydrogen bond patterns are presented for each of these forms and are compared with the structure of the native enzyme active site. The pH dependent activity of the D102N derivative is discussed.     

Synthesis of 2,6‐diamino‐5‐[(2‐substituted phenylamino)ethyl]pyrimidin‐4(3h)‐one as inhibitors of folate metabolizing enzymes

A series of eleven novel 2,6‐diamino‐5‐[(2‐substituted phenylamino)ethyl]pyrimidin‐4(3H)‐one derivatives were synthesized as potential inhibitors of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) and thymidylate synthase (TS). The synthesis of analogues 2a‐f, 3a and 3e was achieved via an improved method. Commercially available anilines 12a‐f were used as starting materials which on reaction with chloroacetaldehyde followed by cyanoacetate and cyclocondensation with guanidine afforded 2,6‐diamino‐5‐[(2‐substituted phenylamino)ethyl]pyrimidin‐4(3H)‐one 2a‐f in three steps. The N‐methyl analogues 3a‐3e were prepared by reductive methylation. These compounds were evaluated against dihydrofolate reductase from Escherichia coli, Toxoplasma gondii, Pneumocystis carinii, human, and rat liver. Few compounds were marginally active against dihydrofolate reductase. The most potent inhibitor, ( 2c ) which has a 1‐naphthyl substituent on the side chain, has an IC₅₀ = 150 μM and 9.1 μM against Escherichia coli and Toxoplasma gondii DHFR, respectively.     

Conformational studies on the four stereoisomers of the novel anticholinergic 4-(dimethylamino)-2-phenyl-2-(2-pyridyl)pentanamide

Summary To interpret differences in the anticholinergic activity among the four steroisomers of 4-(dimethylamino)-2-phenyl-2-(2-pyridyl)pentanamide (1–4), we performed conformational studies using the semiempirical molecular orbital method. The structures of the global minimum-energy conformations obtained for 1–4, however, could not explain the different activities, particularly in terms of distances between the essential pharmacophores. We thus implemented superimposition studies, using the energetically stable conformations of the most active stereoisomer, 1(2S,4R), as a template. The energy penalties for a conformation change of the less active stereoisomers 2–4 from their global minimum-energy structure to a new conformation, fitting onto the global minimum-energy conformation of 1, appear to account for the differences in the pharmacological potency better than using the other conformations of 1 as a template. We thus presume that the global minimum-energy conformation of 1 is closely related to the bioactive conformation for these anticholinergics, and also that the pharmacological potency is linked to how readily these substances can change their conformations to fit the muscarinic receptor.     

Crystal Structure Refinement for 3,5-Dimethyl-1,7-diphenyl-4-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)-2,6-diazahepta-2,4-diene and Crystal Structure Determination for Its Hydrochloride

The crystal structure of 3,5-dimethyl-1,7-diphenyl-4-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)-2,6-diazahepta-2,4-diene (I) has been refined by X-ray crystallography; the crystal structure of its hydrochloride, C₂₅H₂₄N₅O₆)⁺ Cl^- (II), has been determined. Crystals II are trigonal, space group P3₁₂₁, a = 12.110(3), c = 15.135(3) , Z = 3. The structures of I and II were solved by direct methods and refined by full-matrix least-squares analysis anisotropically to R = 0.065 (I) and 0.049 (II) for all 4083 (I) and 3720 (II) independent (taking into account anomalous scattering for II) measured reflections (CAD-4 automatic diffractometer, MoK ). The configuration and conformation of molecule I in crystal I differ strongly from those of cation II (with a protonated nitrogen-2 atom) in crystal II. In crystal II, cation II has a twofold symmetry axis coinciding with the 2 crystallographic axis; the Cl^- anion lies on the other 2 axis. In crystal II, cations II and Cl^- anions are linked by N-H...Cl^- type hydrogen bonds into infinite (along the z axis) helices around the 3₁ screw axes.     

A mass formula for the energy of metal clusters

We obtain an analytic expression for the total energy of a metallic cluster formed by N atoms of valence v and with net charge Q, by solving variationally the extended Thomas–Fermi version of density functional theory within the spherical jellium model. The energy is expressed as an expansion (mass formula) in decreasing powers of the cluster radius R_I = r_sZ^1/3, with Z = _vN, and r_s, the one electron radius of the bulk, and the coefficients of this mass formula are functions of r_s. Contributions of volume (R_I³), surface (R_I²), curvature (R_I), constant (R_I⁰), (1/R_I), and (1/R_I²) are clearly separated in the formula. The Chemical potential, work function, electron affinity, and ionization potential are easily obtained for neutral and charged clusters of any electronic density in the metallic range. A general estimation of the critical size for stability against electron detachment of negatively charged clusters is also obtained. The stability of highly charged clusters against fragmentation is also studied. © John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

The Antifungal Action Mode of N-Phenacyldibromobenzimidazoles

Our study aimed to characterise the action mode of N-phenacyldibromobenzimidazoles against C. albicans and C. neoformans. Firstly, we selected the non-cytotoxic most active benzimidazoles based on the structure–activity relationships showing that the group of 5,6-dibromobenzimidazole derivatives are less active against C. albicans vs. 4,6-dibromobenzimidazole analogues (5e–f and 5h). The substitution of chlorine atoms to the benzene ring of the N-phenacyl substituent extended the anti-C. albicans action (5e with 2,4-Cl₂ or 5f with 3,4-Cl₂). The excellent results for N-phenacyldibromobenzimidazole 5h against the C. albicans reference and clinical isolate showed IC₅₀ = 8 µg/mL and %I = 100 ± 3, respectively. Compound 5h was fungicidal against the C. neoformans isolate. Compound 5h at 160–4 µg/mL caused irreversible damage of the fungal cell membrane and accidental cell death (ACD). We reported on chitinolytic activity of 5h, in accordance with the patterns observed for the following substrates: 4-nitrophenyl-N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminide and 4-nitrophenyl-β-d-N,N′,N″-triacetylchitothiose. Derivative 5h at 16 µg/mL: (1) it affected cell wall by inducing β-d-glucanase, (2) it caused morphological distortions and (3) osmotic instability in the C. albicans biofilm-treated. Compound 5h exerted Candida-dependent inhibition of virulence factors.     

X-ray structural analysis and antitumor activity of new salicylic acid derivatives

Tetrakis-, tris-, bis-, and mono salicylic acid derivatives 1–4 were synthesized by reaction of methyl 2-hydroxy benzoate (methyl salicylate) with 2,2-bis (hydroxymethyl) propane-1,3-diol (pentaerythritol) in the presence of sodium. Yields of different salicyloyloxy derivatives were changed by varying the molar ratios of reactants. For compounds 2 and 3, X-ray structure analysis was performed, as well as molecular energy minimization, to define their conformation in terms of their energy minima. Comparison of crystal and energy minimized structures for these two compounds (2 and 3) revealed that the intramolecular hydrogen bonds play an important role, stabilizing conformation of the most part of the molecule. The antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity of the synthesized derivatives were evaluated in a series of in vitro tests, as well as 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 inhibition potency. Tetrakis salicyloyloxy derivative 1 expressed the highest antioxidant potency, tris salicyloyloxy derivative 2 was the best inhibitor of 17βHSD2 enzyme, while bis salicyloyloxy derivative 3 showed strong cytotoxicity against prostate and breast cancer cells with no cytotoxicity against healthy cells.     

Design,synthesis and biological evaluation of antimalarial activity of new derivatives of 2,4,6-<Emphasis Type="Italic">s</Emphasis>-triazine

Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) is an important enzyme for de novo synthesis of nucleotides in Plasmodium falciparum and it is essential for cell proliferation. DHFR is a well known antimalarial target for drugs like cycloguanil and pyrimethamine which target its inhibition for their pharmacological actions. However, the clinical efficacies of these antimalarial drugs have been compromising due to multiple mutations occurring in DHFR that lead to drug resistance. In this background, we have designed 22 s -triazine compounds using the best five parameters based 3D-QSAR model built by using genetic function approximation. In-silico designed compounds were further filtered to 6 compounds based upon their ADME properties, docking studies and predicted minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC). Out of 6 compounds, 3 compounds were synthesized in good yield over 95% and characterized using IR, ¹HNMR, ¹³CNMR and mass spectroscopic techniques. Parasitemia inhibition assay was used to evaluate the antimalarial activity of s -triazine compounds against 3D7 strain of P. falciparum. All the three compounds (7, 13 and 18) showed 30 times higher potency than cycloguanil (standard drug). It was observed that compound 18 was the most active while the compound 13 was the least active. On the closer inspection of physicochemical properties and SAR, it was observed that the presence of electron donating groups, number of hydrogen bond formation, lipophilicity of ligands and coulson charge of nitrogen atom present in the triazine ring enhances the DHFR inhibition significantly. This study will contribute to further endeavours of more potent DHFR inhibitors.     

Eine 3-parametrige Funktion der Dehnungsenergiedichte für ungefüllte und gefüllte Elastomere

Zusammenfassung Die Möglichkeiten, die eine in einer vor kurzem ver öffentlichten Arbeit angegebene Funktion der Dehnungsenergiedichte für die Beschreibung des Spannungs-Dehnungs-Verhaltens bietet, werden in diesem Beitrag sowohl für ungefüllte als auch für gefüllte Elastomere eingehender untersucht. Insbesondere werden neben den sich mit dieser Energiefunktion ergebenden Spannungs-Dehnungs-Beziehungen für die verschiedenartigsten Verformungen auch Gleichungen für die beiden Ableitungen W/I ₁ und WI ₂ der Dehnungsenergiedichte W(I ₁,I ₂) nach den DehnungsinvariantenI ₁ undI ₂ explizit angeführt. Die für diese Untersuchung verwendeten Meßwerte wurden bereits veröffentlichten Arbeiten anderer Autoren entnommen.

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Summary The possibilities which a certain function for the strain energy density offers to describe the stress strain behaviour of unfilled and filled elastomers will be analysed in this article at greater length. The mentioned function was first discussed in a recently published paper. In addition to stress strain relations resulting from this energy function for all kinds of deformations, special attention will also be given to the equations for the two derivatives W/I ₁, and W/I ₂ of the strain energy density W(I ₁,I ₂) with respect to the strain invariantsI ₁ andI ₂. The measuring points used for the research in this paper have been taken from previous articles by other authors.

     

Direct Introduction of an Alkylsulfonamido Group on C-sites of Isomeric Dicarba-closo-dodecaboranes: The Influence of Stereochemistry on Inhibitory Activity against the Cancer-Associated Carbonic Anhydrase IX Isoenzyme

Carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX), a tumor-associated metalloenzyme, represents a validated target for cancer therapy and diagnostics. Herein, we report the inhibition properties of isomeric families of sulfonamidopropyl-dicarba-closo-dodecaboranes group(s) prepared using a new direct five-step synthesis from the corresponding parent cages. The protocol offers a reliable solution for synthesis of singly and doubly substituted dicarba-closo-dodecaboranes with a different geometric position of carbon atoms. The closo-compounds from the ortho- and meta-series were then degraded to corresponding 11-vertex dicarba-nido-undecaborate(1−) anions. All compounds show in vitro enzymatic activity against CA IX in the low nanomolar or subnanomolar range. This is accompanied by clear isomer dependence of the inhibition constant (K_i) and selectivity towards CA IX. Decreasing trends in K_i and selectivity index (S_I) values are observed with increasing separation of the cage carbon atoms. Interactions of compounds with the active sites of CA IX were explored with X-ray crystallography, and eight high-resolution crystal structures uncovered the structural basis of inhibition potency and selectivity.     

Ab Initio Study of Conformational Properties of ( Z, Z)-, ( E, Z)-, and ( E, E)-Cyclonona-1,5-dienes

Summary. Ab initio calculations at the HF/6-31G^* level of theory for geometry optimization and MP2/6-31G^*//HF/6-31G^* for a single point total energy calculation are reported for the important energy-minimum conformations and transition-state geometries of (Z,Z)-, (E,Z)-, and (E,E)-cyclonona-1,5-dienes. The C₂ symmetric chair conformation of (Z,Z)-cyclonona-1,5-diene is calculated to be the most stable form; the calculated energy barrier for ring inversion of the chair conformation via the C_s symmetric boat-chair geometry is 58.3kJmol^–1. Interconversion between chair and twist-boat-chair (C₁) conformations takes place via the twist (C₁) as intermediate. The unsymmetrical twist conformation of (E,Z)-cyclonona-1,5-diene is the most stable form. Ring inversion of this conformation takes place via the unsymmetrical chair and boat-chair geometries. The calculated strain energy for this process is 63.5kJmol^–1. The interconversion between twist and the boat-chair conformations can take place by swiveling of the trans double bond with respect to the cis double bond and requires 115.6kJmol^–1. The most stable conformation of (E,E)-cyclonona-1,5-diene is the C₂ symmetric twist-boat conformation of the crossed family, which is 5.3kJmol^–1 more stable than the C_s symmetric chair–chair geometry of the parallel family. Interconversion of the crossed and parallel families can take place by swiveling of one of the double bonds and requires 142.0kJmol^–1.     

Ab Initio Study of Conformational Properties of ( Z, Z)-, ( E, Z)-, and ( E, E)-Cyclonona-1,5-dienes

Ab initio calculations at the HF/6-31G^* level of theory for geometry optimization and MP2/6-31G^*//HF/6-31G^* for a single point total energy calculation are reported for the important energy-minimum conformations and transition-state geometries of (Z,Z)-, (E,Z)-, and (E,E)-cyclonona-1,5-dienes. The C₂ symmetric chair conformation of (Z,Z)-cyclonona-1,5-diene is calculated to be the most stable form; the calculated energy barrier for ring inversion of the chair conformation via the C_s symmetric boat-chair geometry is 58.3kJmol^–1. Interconversion between chair and twist-boat-chair (C₁) conformations takes place via the twist (C₁) as intermediate. The unsymmetrical twist conformation of (E,Z)-cyclonona-1,5-diene is the most stable form. Ring inversion of this conformation takes place via the unsymmetrical chair and boat-chair geometries. The calculated strain energy for this process is 63.5kJmol^–1. The interconversion between twist and the boat-chair conformations can take place by swiveling of the trans double bond with respect to the cis double bond and requires 115.6kJmol^–1. The most stable conformation of (E,E)-cyclonona-1,5-diene is the C₂ symmetric twist-boat conformation of the crossed family, which is 5.3kJmol^–1 more stable than the C_s symmetric chair–chair geometry of the parallel family. Interconversion of the crossed and parallel families can take place by swiveling of one of the double bonds and requires 142.0kJmol^–1.     

Fluorescent Molecular Sensing System Based on Tri-Pyrenes-Labeled γ-Cyclodextrin at the Hetero Rim

Fluorescent active host labeled at the upper and lower rims of -cyclodextrin, namely, mono-3^A-deoxy-3^A-pyrenebutylamido-6^X,Y-O-bis-pyrenebutylate-mono-altro--cyclodextrin (-3) has been synthesized as a chemosensor for steroidal guests using fluorescence spectra change upon a guest addition. The -3 shows monomer and excimer fluorescence, which results in an increase of the intensity of monomer and decrease of excimer fluorescence with a host–guest binding in the cyclodextrin cavity. The extent of monomer and excimer fluorescence variations of -3 was used as an indication for the sensing ability for the guests examined. The guest-induced fluorescence changes were measured for 10^–7 M solutions of -3. The sensing parameters (I_ex/I⁰_ex and I_mon/I⁰_mono) were used to describe the sensing ability of -3. The values of I_ex/I⁰_ex describe that -3 shows less selectivity for guests than that of mono-3^A-deoxy-3^A-pyrenebutylamido-6^X-O-mono-pyrenebutylate-mono-altro--cyclodextrin (-2), and the values of I_mon/I⁰_mono show that -3 shows higher sensitivity and selectivity than that of -2.     

Crystal and molecular structure of a crown-bridgedp-t-butyl-calix[4]arene (1:1) pyridine complex. Host-guest interaction model based on molecular mechanics analysis [1]

The crystal and molecular structure of a crownedp-t-butyl-calix[4]arene (1:1) pyridine complex is reported. Colourless transparent prismatic crystals (obtained from pyridine) C₅₄H₇₄O₈·C₅H₅N,a=13.486(4),b=15.193(4),c=16.432(5) Å, =116.44(4)°, space groupP2₁,Z=2,D _calc=1.02g cm^–3, CuK radiation =1.5418 Å (CuK )=4.99 cm^–1. Refinement was carried out using 1702 reflections withI>3(I) toR 0.12. The macrocycle shows a distorted cone conformation which defines an intramolecular apolar cavity whose elliptical aperture is 11.5×8.6 Å calculated as distances between the two opposite central C atoms of the Bu ^t groups. A molecule of pyridine is included in this cavity, whereas the intermolecular cavities of the host lattice remain empty. The influence of the guest molecule on the conformation of the calixarene-crown is discussed. Potential energy calculations are performed in order to understand the nature of the host-guest interactions responsible for the stabilisation of the complex. Evidence for stabilizing CH₃- interactions are obtained from the calculations. Supplementary Data relevant to this article have been deposited with the British Library as supplementary Publication No. SUP 82068 (9 pages).