Coumarin-strapped calix[4]pyrrole: a fluorogenic anion receptor modulated by cation and anion binding

A new strapped calix[4]pyrrole containing a fluorophore as part of the strap has been synthesized and characterized. Association constants with various anions have been determined using both fluorescence titration and isothermal titrations calorimetry (ITC). The two sets of association constants were found to be in good agreement with one another. The fluorescence emission properties of this new receptor could be controlled by addition of Na+ (or H2O) and anions. However, the fluorescence quenching by anions is only observed in the presence of Na+ (or H2O). All the experimental evidence is consistent with the notion that independent PET processes are modulated by separate cation and anion recognition events. As such, this system operates as an elementary logic gate wherein anion and cation concentrations serve as the input and fluorescence intensity changes provide the output.     

New redox anion receptors based on calix[4]pyrrole bearing ferrocene amide

Two redox anion receptors based on calix[4]pyrrole and ferrocene have been synthesized. The electrochemical investigation revealed that these compounds can be response to the anions with different shifts of Fc/Fc⁺ couple. With the ¹H NMR titration study, the selectivity to F⁻ and AcO⁻ ions in CD₃CN solution was confirmed. The conformations of the mono-aromatic meso-substituted calix[4]pyrroles, which were the synthetical intermediate of the ferrocene based receptors, and their anion complexes in the solid state have also been studied by single X-ray crystallography, and the rationality of the crystal conformations was proved by theoretical study.     

Oligoether-strapped calix[4]pyrrole: an ion-pair receptor displaying cation-dependent chloride anion transport

A ditopic ion-pair receptor (1), which has tunable cation- and anion-binding sites, has been synthesized and characterized. Spectroscopic analyses provide support for the conclusion that receptor 1 binds fluoride and chloride anions strongly and forms stable 1:1 complexes ([1·F](-) and [1·Cl](-)) with appropriately chosen salts of these anions in acetonitrile. When the anion complexes of 1 were treated with alkali metal ions (Li(+), Na(+), K(+), Cs(+), as their perchlorate salts), ion-dependent interactions were observed that were found to depend on both the choice of added cation and the initially complexed anion. In the case of [1·F](-), no appreciable interaction with the K(+) ion was seen. On the other hand, when this complex was treated with Li(+) or Na(+) ions, decomplexation of the bound fluoride anion was observed. In contrast to what was seen with Li(+), Na(+), K(+), treating [1·F](-) with Cs(+) ions gave rise to a stable, host-separated ion-pair complex, [F·1·Cs], which contains the Cs(+) ion bound in the cup-like portion of the calix[4]pyrrole. Different complexation behavior was seen in the case of the chloride complex, [1·Cl](-). Here, no appreciable interaction was observed with Na(+) or K(+). In contrast, treating with Li(+) produces a tight ion-pair complex, [1·Li·Cl], in which the cation is bound to the crown moiety. In analogy to what was seen for [1·F](-), treatment of [1·Cl](-) with Cs(+) ions gives rise to a host-separated ion-pair complex, [Cl·1·Cs], in which the cation is bound to the cup of the calix[4]pyrrole. As inferred from liposomal model membrane transport studies, system 1 can act as an effective carrier for several chloride anion salts of Group 1 cations, operating through both symport (chloride+cation co-transport) and antiport (nitrate-for-chloride exchange) mechanisms. This transport behavior stands in contrast to what is seen for simple octamethylcalix[4]pyrrole, which acts as an effective carrier for cesium chloride but does not operates through a nitrate-for-chloride anion exchange mechanism.     

Pentapyrrolic calix[4]pyrrole

A new calix[4]pyrrole has been synthesised that contains a 3,4,5-trisbromopyrrole appended to a meso-position which shows enhanced anion affinity as compared to the parent meso-octamethylcalix[4]pyrrole macrocycle.     

An anionic chromogenic sensor based on the competition between the anion and a merocyanine solvatochromic dye for calix[4]pyrrole as a receptor site

The interaction of Brooker’s merocyanine (BM), a merocyanine dye, with calix[4]pyrrole (CP) was studied in acetonitrile. BM is violet in solution, but its interaction with CP changes the color of the solution due to the formation of CP-BM species associated through hydrogen bonding. A displacement assay was then carried out in the presence of different anions (F⁻, Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, , , and ). It was verified that F⁻, and to a lesser extent Cl⁻ and , displace BM through the formation of a complex with CP, coloring the solution. Addition of makes the solution almost colorless because it is sufficiently acidic to transfer a proton to BM, removing it from the receptor site in CP and protonating the dye, thereby allowing the visual detection of the anion in relation to the other anions.     

Cyclo[2]carbazole[2]pyrrole: a preorganized calix[4]pyrrole analogue

A cyclo[2]carbazole[2]pyrrole (2) consisting of two carbazoles and two pyrroles has been synthesized by directly linking the carbazole 1- and 8-carbon atoms to the pyrrole α-carbon atoms. Macrocycle 2 is an extensively conjugated 16-membered macrocyclic ring that is fixed in a pseudo-1,3-alternate conformation. This provides a preorganized anion binding site consisting of two pyrrole subunits. ¹H NMR spectroscopic analysis revealed that only the two diagonally opposed pyrrole NH protons, as opposed to the carbazole protons, take part in anion binding. Nevertheless, cyclo[2]carbazole[2]pyrrole 2 binds representative anions with higher affinity in CD₂Cl₂ than calix[4]pyrrole (1), a well-studied non-conjugated tetrapyrrole macrocycle that binds anions via four pyrrolic NH hydrogen bond interactions. On the basis of computational studies, the higher chloride anion affinity of receptor 2 relative to 1 is rationalized in terms of a larger binding energy and a lower host strain energy associated with anion complexation. In the presence of excess fluoride or bicarbonate anions, compound 2 loses two pyrrolic NH protons to produce a stable dianionic macrocycle [2–2H]²⁻ displaying a quenched fluorescence.

Less is more: two NH hydrogen bond donors in a preorganized receptor provide greater anion affinity than the four NH moieties present in the classic anion receptor, calix[4]pyrrole.     

Surprises in the energetics of host-guest anion binding to calix[4]pyrrole

Contrary to common expectation, calorimetric measurements do not corroborate the preference of calix[4]pyrrole for fluoride over chloride in acetonitrile solution.     

Modulation of metal recognition by a novel calix[4]arene bearing two bipyridine units as a molecular gate

[reaction: see text] A novel multiregulation system of ion recognition was constructed by utilizing a molecular gate. Interaction between the host and an Ag(+) is controlled with an Na(+) ion.     

Synthesis, structure, anion binding, and sensing by calix[4]pyrrole isomers

The synthesis, structure, and anion binding properties of chromogenic octamethylcalix[4]pyrroles (OMCPs) and their N-confused octamethylcalix[4]pyrrole isomers (NC-OMCPs) containing an inverted pyrrole ring connected via alpha'- and beta-positions are described. X-ray diffraction analyses proved the structures of two synthesized isomeric pairs of OMCPs and NC-OMCPs. The addition of anions to solutions of chromogenic OMCPs and NC-OMCPs resulted in different colors suggesting different anion-binding behaviors. The chromogenic NC-OMCPs showed significantly stronger anion-induced color changes compared to the corresponding chromogenic OMCP, and the absorption spectroscopy titrations indicated that chromogenic OMCPs and NC-OMCPs also possess different anion binding selectivity. Detailed NMR studies revealed that this rather unusual feature stems from a different anion-binding mode in OMCPs and NC-OMCPs, one where the beta-pyrrole C-H of the inverted pyrrole moiety participates in the hydrogen-bonded anion-NC-OMCP complex. Preliminary colorimetric microassays using synthesized chromogenic calixpyrroles embedded in partially hydrophilic polyurethane matrices allow for observation of analyte-specific changes in color when the anions are administered in the form of their aqueous solutions and in the presence of weakly competing anions.     

Double-cavity calix[4]pyrrole derivative with enhanced capacity for the fluoride anion

A double-cavity calix[4]pyrrole derivative, meso-tetramethyl-tetra[N-(2-phenoxyethyl)-N'-phenylurea]calix[4]pyrrole, 1, with enhanced hosting ability for the fluoride anion has been designed and characterized. Its interaction with anions (fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide, dihydrogen phosphate, hydrogen sulfate, perchlorate, nitrate, and trifluoromethane sulfonate) was qualitatively and quantitatively assessed through 1H NMR, conductance, and calorimetric studies. The outcome of these investigations demonstrates that 1 interacts only with fluoride and dihydrogen phosphate anions in dipolar aprotic media. However, the composition of these complexes differs in that two units of fluoride are taken per unit of 1, while a 1:1 anion/ligand complex is formed with the dihydrogen phosphate anion. Results from the 1H NMR studies are striking in that these not only provide information about the active sites of the ligand-anion interaction but also allow the establishment of the sequence of events taking place during fluoride complexation. Thus, hydrogen-bond formation between the pyrrolic hydrogen and the fluoride anion is followed by the uptake of a second anion through the same type of interaction, but with the phenyl urea. It is also the latter group that is responsible for the interaction of 1 with the dihydrogen phosphate anion. Finally, this paper illustrates the importance of structural information for the interpretation of the thermodynamics associated with these systems.     

Nitrovinyl substituted calix[4]pyrrole as a unique,reaction-based chemosensor for cyanide anion

A new calix[4]pyrrole bearing a nitrovinyl group at β-pyrrolic position was synthesized and studied as a cyanide selective chemodosimetric sensor. Selective Michael-type nucleophilic addition of cyanide to the α-position of the nitrovinyl group followed by β-elimination resulted in the unique product 3.     

Efficient organocatalysis with a calix[4]pyrrole derivative

The 10α,20β-bis(4-nitrophenyl)-calix[4]pyrrole was found to act as an effective organocatalyst for the hetero Diels-Alder reaction of Danishefsky’s diene with aromatic aldehydes. This discovery is the first reported case of a calixpyrrole that exhibits organocatalytic activity.     

A colorimetric tetrathiafulvalene-calix[4]pyrrole anion sensor

The interaction and colorimetric sensing properties of a tetrathiafulvalene substituted calix[4]pyrrole sensor with anions were investigated using ¹H NMR and absorption spectroscopic techniques. Visual color changes were observed upon addition of different anions (Cl⁻, Br⁻, CN⁻, and AcO⁻) to a solution of the sensor.     

A novel calix[4]arene-based neutral semicarbazone receptor for anion recognition

A series of novel calix[4]arene-based neutral semicarbazone and thiosemicarbazone receptors have been synthesized and characterized. The molecular receptor 4a recognizes in preference to other anions (Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, , and ) through a 1:1 binding-stoichiometry.     

Tetra-TTF calix[4]pyrrole: a rationally designed receptor for electron-deficient neutral guests

A calix[4]pyrrole incorporating four appended tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) units has been synthesized, and its receptor abilities toward neutral electron-deficient guests, such as 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene, tetrafluoro-p-benzoquinone, and tetrachloro-p-benzoquinone, have been studied in solution by UV-vis and 1H NMR spectroscopies as well as in the solid-state by X-ray crystallography. In its 1,3-alternate conformation a 1:2 sandwich-like complex-stabilized by charge transfer and hydrogen bonding interactions-is formed between the tetra-TTF calix[4]pyrrole and the guest molecules. However, upon addition of chloride ions to the complex the 1,3-alternate conformation is changed in favor of a cone conformation which serves to effect a release of the guests from the tetra-TTF calix[4]pyrrole.     

Synthesis of a new calix[n]pyrrole: meso-pentaspirocyclohexyl calix[5]pyrrole

We describe the first synthesis of the novel meso-pentaspirocyclohexyl calix[5]pyrrole 2b. Anion-guest properties of the new compound were evaluated with respect to fluoride, chloride, and bromide tetrabutylammonium salts by ¹H NMR titration techniques in deuterated dichloromethane at 22 °C by following the induced shifts in the NH resonances upon complexation.     

Crystal structures of a calix[4]arene controlled by two affixed pyrene units

The synthesis and crystal structures of a calix[4]arene (1) with two affixed pyrene units and its corresponding inclusion compound with chloroform (1a) are reported. In both cases, stacking structures resulting from the influencing control of the pyrene units are observed. The occurrence of infinite or dimeric stack motifs of the pyrene units is dependent on the absence or presence of the included guest solvent.

     

meso-Indanyl calix[4]pyrrole receptors

Two new meso-indanyl-substituted calix[4]pyrrole receptors, 2 and 3, have been synthesized. A range of calix[4]pyrrole host-neutral molecule complexes crystallise from solutions of 2 in a variety of solvents and the structures of four have been elucidated by X-ray crystallography. The F⁻ and Cl⁻ anion affinities of 2 have been measured in acetonitrile, and are significantly different from the corresponding affinities of the prototypical calix[4]pyrrole, the octamethyl-derivative, 1. ESI-FTICR-MS has been used to determine the relative F⁻ and Cl⁻ anion affinities of receptors 1 and 2 in methanol-acetonitrile solution. Deprotonation of 1 and 2 by fluoride is observed (under the conditions of the MS experiment).