One-step synthesis of inherently chiral p-tert-butylcalix[4]azacrown

A one-step procedure is developed to synthesize inherently chiral p-tert-butylcalix[4]azacrown 1 through etherification between p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene and compound 3, which can be amplified to efficiently prepare more inherently chiral calix[4]arenes in ABHH substitution pattern.     

Inherently chiral calix[4]arene-based bifunctional organocatalysts for enantioselective aldol reactions

Two optical pure m-dimethylamino substituted inherently chiral calix[4]arene derivatives 8a and 8b bearing an l-prolinamido group have been synthesized by two routes, and structurally studied by the usual spectroscopic methods and X-ray crystallographic analysis. It was found that both of 8a and 8b could be utilized as bifunctional organocatalysts to efficiently promote the aldol reactions between aromatic aldehydes and ketones in the presence of acetic acid. Especially, with 8a as the catalyst, the reaction between 4-nitrobenzaldehyde and cyclopentanone at −20 °C gave the anti-aldol product up to 94% ee, while the anti-aldol product in up to 94:6 dr and 79% ee was obtained when 4-cyanobenzaldehyde was used as the aldol donor. Moreover, it was also demonstrated that the inherently chiral calixarene skeleton with (cS)-conformation in 8a was identified as the matched configuration of the stereogenic elements, and the inherently chiral moiety might play an important role in helping to stereocontrol the reaction.     

Synthesis and characterization of an inherently chiral calix[6]arene in the 1,4-alternate conformation

An inherently chiral calix[6]arene possessing a C₂-symmetric A-B-H substitution pattern was synthesized via a two step process starting from the parent hexa-t-butylcalix[6]arene. The racemic, inherently chiral compound exists as a single isomer with the 1,4-alternate conformation. The inherent chirality was confirmed by treatment of the racemic compound with Pirkle’s reagent to form diastereomeric complexes in solution.     

Synthesis and structures of novel enantiopure inherently chiral calix[4]arene-derived salphen ligands and their transition-metal complexes

Synthesis and structures of two pairs of novel enantiopure inherently chiral calix[4]arene-derived salphen ligands were described. Several Zn²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Cu²⁺ complexes of the chiral ligands were also prepared, and their structures were characterized by NMR, IR, CD, and HRMS spectra.     

Design,synthesis and structure determination of new inherently chiral para-bromoalkoxycalix[4]arenes

The preparative method for the synthesis of inherently chiral para-bromoalkoxycalix[4]arenes based on para-bromination, stepwise regioselective debenzoylation and the following alkylation of the readily available 25-propoxy-26,27-dibenzoyloxycalix[4]arene with propyl bromide or (R)-N-(1-phenylethyl)bromoacetamide has been developed. Three types of the inherently chiral calix[4]arenes in cone or partial cone conformations with asymmetrical (_AHHH^HBHH, _AAHH^HBHH, _AHBH^HCHH) substitution of both upper and lower rims have been obtained in racemic, diastereomerically pure or enantiomerically pure forms. Their structure and the absolute configuration have been determined by NMR and X-ray.     

Synthesis and self-assembly of novel calix[4]arenocrowns: formation of calix[4]areno[2]catenanes

A series of novel calix[4]arenocrowns 1a-c were efficiently synthesized by a one-pot reaction of calix[4]monohydroquinone diacetate 5 with ditosylate 6 and its analogues in the presence of sodium hydroxide. It was found that the calix[4]arenocrowns could form stable pseudorotaxane-type complexes 2a-c with paraquat, and further self-assemble into calix[4]areno[2]catenanes 3a-c with dicationic salt 8 and p-bis(bromomethyl)benzene.     

The synthesis of calix[4]crown based dendrimer

A second generation of dendrimer with calixcrown as repeat unit was first synthesized. Its structure and conformation was determined by ¹H NMR and MALDI-TOF mass spectra.     

A new member of the calix[4]crown family:Facile synthesis and characterization of a calix[4]crown-9 cone conformer

25,27-Dipropoxy-p-tert-butylcalix[4]crown-9 cone conformer 5 was readily synthesized via an intramolecular cyclization strategy in good yields.The structures of all the new compounds involved were confirmed by NMR,ESI-MS and elementalanalyses.All of them were proved to be in the cone conformation.     

A novel calix[4]arene fluorescent receptor for selective recognition of acetate anion

A novel bridged fluorescent calix[4]arene with 1,8-diaminoanthracene and glycine at the upper rim has been prepared, which exhibited selective recognition towards AcO⁻ over other anions such as F⁻, Cl⁻, Br⁻, , , I⁻ and by fluorescence spectroscopy and ¹H NMR method.     

Synthesis, optical resolution and absolute configuration of inherently chiral calixarene carboxylic acids

Both enantiomers of inherently chiral calixarene carboxylic acids with ABCD substitution patterns have been prepared by the benzoylation of 25-propoxy-27-(R)-N-(α-phenylethyl)amidomethyloxycalix[4]arene followed by resolution of the diastereomers formed, monobromination of them and removal of the benzoyl and α-phenylethylamide auxiliary groups. The absolute configuration of the calixarenes obtained has been established by X-ray analysis. Preliminary study of the chiral recognition properties of calixarene carboxylic acid was performed.     

Synthesis and nitration of calix[4] (aza)crowns

Calix[4] (aza) crowns containing amide groups 3a-d were synthesized by the reactions of calix[4]arene (1a) or p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene (1b) with N, N'-ethylenebis(2-chloroac-etamide) (2a) or N, N'-1,2-phenylenebis(2-chloroacetamide) (2b) by one step procedure in yields of 85-90% . Calix[4]-(aza) crowns 4a-b could be obtained by the reduction of 3a-b with LiAlH4 in yields of 51 and 67% , respectively. The nitration of 3a or 3c afforded new chromogenic calix[4]arenes 5a bearing two nitrophenol moieties and 5c bearing one nitro-phenol and one quinone moiety, respectively. The ipso-nitrations of 3b and 3d were also studied. Both gave the products containing one nitrophenol and one quinone moiety. Moreover, a very interesting calix[4]arene derivative 5d containing one cyclohexadienone moiety was also separated as the main product when 3d was ipso -nitrated.     

A new fluorescent double-cavity calix[4]arene: synthesis and complexation studies toward nitroanilines

A novel bicyclic calix[4]arene (4) molecular receptor has been synthesized, and its sensory abilities toward noxious aromatic nitroamines evaluated in apolar media. Molecular host–guest interactions examined through fluorescence and ¹H NMR spectroscopies showed the formation of 1:1 type endo-inclusion complexes with all the nitroaniline guests. The potential of 4 as a chemical sensor is established.     

Synthesis and optical resolution of a series of inherently chiral calix[4]crowns with cone and partial cone conformations

A series of inherently chiral calix[4]arenes with cone and partial cone conformations and with crown ether moieties of variable size have been readily synthesized. By taking advantage of the carboxy appendage on the lower rim, these were condensed with the chiral auxiliary (S)-BINOL to form diastereomers which, in most cases, could be separated by preparative TLC, or more desirably, by column chromatography on silica gel (diastereomeric excess >99 % based on HPLC analysis). Seven enantiopure antipodes of inherently chiral calix[4]crowns were obtained after hydrolysis. It has been found that both the size of the crown moiety and alkylation of the last phenolic hydroxy group (accompanied with or without a change in the conformation) affect the separation of the diastereomers.     

Wide- and narrow-rim functionalised calix[4]arenes: synthesis and characterisation

Functionalisation of calix[4]arene at both the wide and narrow rims leads to the formation of compounds containing bipyridyl, via an amide linkage, at the wide rim and having either a butyl chain, a benzyl group or an alkyl ester functionality at the narrow rim. All compounds were characterised using ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies. Initial binding studies with Ru(bipy)₂Cl₂ are reported.     

Chiral nitrogen-containing calix[4]crown—an excellent receptor for chiral recognition of mandelic acid

A chiral nitrogen-containing calix[4]crown 2 bearing optically pure 1,2-diphenyl-1,2-oxyamino residue at lower rim showed excellent chiral recognition between enantiomers of mandelic acid. Using competitive ¹H NMR titration the ratio of association constants of (S)- and (R)-mandelic acid with the chiral calix[4]crown was determined to be 102, that is 98% de, which is the best result obtained from artificial receptors for the chiral recognition of mandelic acid up to now.     

Squaramide-substituted calix[4]pyrrole: Synthesis and ion binding studies

Squaramide-substituted calix[4]pyrrole 2 was synthesized and its anion-binding properties were investigated. On the basis of UV spectroscopy, ¹H NMR spectroscopic and computational DFT model analyses, compared with the parent calix[4]pyrrole 1, compound 2 shows significantly enhanced binding affinities for anions in CH₂Cl₂, and it was concluded that this increase in affinity is ascribed to participation of the squaramide unit in anion binding.     

Synthesis of a novel calix[4]arene-based fluorescent ionophore and its metal ions recognition properties

A novel fluorescent ionophore derived from calix[4]arene and pyrazoline was designed and synthesized. Its molecular structure was confirmed by 1H NMR and element analysis. The resulting material shows specific fluorescent behavior toward the Zn2+ ion among the other divalent metal ions, such as Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+. The primary results indicate this ionophore material is a potential material for developing efficient fluorescent Zn2+ chemosensors.     

Synthesis of enantiomerically pure inherently chiral calix[4]arenes using the meta-substitution strategy

A meta-substituted aminocalix[4]arene 4 immobilized in the cone conformation was prepared via mercuration of the starting tetra-propoxy derivative, followed by nitrosation and reduction reactions. Acylation of the amino group by chiral amino acid residues ((S)-N-trifluoroacetyl-Ala or (S)-N-trifluoroacetyl-Phe) allowed for the preparation of diastereomeric amides that were separated by preparative TLC on silica gel. Subsequent cyclization under Bischler-Napieralski reaction conditions yielded calixarenes 7b and 7c bearing an oxazole moiety in the meta position instead of the expected upper rim-bridged compounds. The reaction sequence represents a straightforward approach towards enantiomerically pure inherently chiral calix[4]arene derivatives (without HPLC separation steps). The absolute configuration of the enantiomers were confirmed by single crystal structure determination (X-ray).     

Spectroscopic and spectrometric studies of anion recognition with calix[4]pyrroles in different reaction conditions

The binding studies of calix[4]pyrroles (1–6) with fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo and sulphato anions generated from normal-tetrabutylammoniumfluoride, normal-tetrabutylammoniumchloride, normal-tetrabutylammoniumbromide, normal-tetrabutylammoniumiodide, and normal-tetrabutylammoniumsulphate respectively were investigated by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) in dichloromethane–acetonitrile in negative ion mode. The efficacy of a particular calix[4]pyrrole to bind with anions was found maximum at low cone voltage of the instrument, at high cone voltage the binding was suppressed due to removal of anion from the cavity of the macrocycles. The binding strength was found inversely proportional to the size of anion for a particular calix[4]pyrrole. The fragmentation pattern of calix[4]pyrrole was observed at higher cone voltage of ESI-MS and was interpreted. The association constants of calix[4]pyrroles and anions obtained from electronic transition studies were in good agreement with that observed from ¹H NMR titration studies.     

Highly selective fluorescent recognition of amino alcohol based on chiral calix[4]arenes bearing L-tryptophan unit

Four two-armed chiral calix[4]arenes (1a–1d) functionalised at the lower ring with amino acid units have been synthesised and the structures of these compounds were characterised by IR, MS, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR spectra and elemental analysis. Their molecular recognition abilities towards amino alcohol were examined by fluorescence titration experiment in three kinds of solution. The results indicated that these receptors exhibited excellent fluorescent response to phenylglycinol and could distinguish phenylglycinol from phenylalaninol rapidly through the obvious difference in the fluorescent response. Solvent comparative experiments also indicated that acetonitrile was the best solvent to detect these phenomena.