Anion induced conformational switch of a macrocyclic amide receptor

Isophthalic acid-based macrocyclic tetraamide 4 shows considerable conformational change during anion binding. In the solid state and in solution the free receptor exists in nonbonding, closed conformation stabilized by two intramolecular hydrogen bonds. Upon anion complexation, the receptor switches to a conformation with convergent arrangement of hydrogen bond donors. The conformational switch is evidenced by 2D NMR and X-ray analyses of the free ligand and its Cl⁻ complex.     

Anion and cation binding by a new indole/pyridine/amine-based ion-pair receptor

A new ion-pair receptor bis(3-bromoindol-2-ylmethyl)(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (1) was synthesized and studied for its anion and cation binding behavior using ESI-MS and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Among halides, 1 exhibits the strongest binding with Cl⁻ to form a 1:1 adduct (K_a = 1042 ± 21 in CD₃CN). Among alkali metal ions, Li⁺ and Na⁺ showed the strongest binding in the formation of a 1·M⁺ complex. The simultaneous binding of Cl⁻ and Li⁺ to 1 was confirmed by ¹H NMR titration of a 1:1 mixture of 1 and Cl⁻ with LiPF₆ in 83:17 v/v mixture of CDCl₃ and DMSO-d₆. DFT-optimized structures of 1·Cl⁻, 1·Li⁺, and 1·Li⁺·Cl⁻ are consistent with the chemical shift changes observed in ¹H NMR studies.     

Efficient fluoride-selective receptor: experiment and theory

A novel artificial receptor, (3′-nitrobenzo)[2,3-d]-(3′′-nitrobenzo)[9,10-d]-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-5,7,12,14-tetraone, has been synthesized and shows high selective and recognitive ability for F^- among F⁻, Cl⁻, Br⁻, AcO⁻, H₂PO₄⁻ by UV-vis and ¹H NMR titration experiments. Theoretical investigations suggest that the fluoride selectivity among various anions comes from the fact that the fluoride approaches much closer to the amide protons than other anions located above the cavity. The interaction energies support the large binding ability difference between F⁻ and Cl⁻/Br⁻/AcO⁻/H₂PO₄⁻.     

Synthesis and anion binding properties of 1,8-disulfonamidocarbazole dipyrromethane Schiff-base macrocycle & its amine analogue

A novel 1,8-disulfonamidocarbazole-dipyrromethane Schiff-base macrocycle (1) and its amine analogue (2) were designed and synthesised, and their anion binding properties were studied via UV–vis and ¹H NMR titration spectra. The obtained results showed that a small change in the macrocyclic structure (by reducing imines into the corresponding amines) produced a remarkable impact on its binding affinity and selectivity for anions. For example, macrocycle 1 displayed a 7.9:1 F^?/H₂PO₄^? selectivity; however, its amine analogue 2 showed a 78.5:1 F^?/H₂PO₄^? selectivity.     

Synthesis and anion binding studies of a new crown ether containing 2,2′-biimidazole

A novel crown ether which incorporates the 2,2′-biimidazole moiety was prepared by cyclization of 1,1′-dibenzyl-1H,1′H-[2,2′]biimidazolyl-4,4′-dicarboxylic acid and 4,7,10-trioxa-1,13-tridecanediamine followed by removal of the benzyl groups. The diacid has been obtained by hydrolysis of the diester previously prepared by alcoholysis of the corresponding dicyano biimidazole. The cyano group is introduced by a palladium-catalyzed procedure starting from the corresponding dibromo biimidazole. The macrocyclic structure of the N-dibenzylated derivative of the receptor has been studied by X-ray diffraction. Binding constants for 1:1 biimidazole–anion complexation (K_assoc) are on the order of 10⁵ M⁻¹ for H₂PO₄⁻ and Cl⁻.     

Phosphinate selective hosts and importance of CH hydrogen bonding for affinity modulation toward anion guests

Even though phosphinate and its analogs are very important guests in nature, the artificial receptors which are capable of selective recognition of phosphinate are rare. Here, we report a series of acetate and phosphinate selective hosts (1, 2 and 3) which utilize amide NH and aliphatic CH groups as hydrogen bonding donors. In this series of receptors, even though the amide NH hydrogen bonding element was found to be the most significant, by varying the polarity of CH group, the magnitude of recognition could be modulated considerably. The affinities of host 3 against all the tested anion guests showed significantly higher affinities compared with those of hosts 1 and 2, and this could be attributed to the difference of CH group polarities among the receptors 1, 2 and 3. C_α-H hydrogen in host 3 is the most highly polarized by the charged pyridinium group. Therefore, it is the strongest host in this series of hosts. From the experiments shown here, we demonstrated the importance of CH hydrogen bonding element as a decisive modulating moiety for anionic recognition.     

Design and synthesis of a unique ditopic macrocyclic fluorescent receptor containing furan ring as a spacer for the recognition of dicarboxylic acids

A macrocyclic fluorescent receptor was designed and synthesised and the binding study with three different types of dicarboxylic acids was performed with the receptor being found to have appreciable association constants. Downfield shifts of specific amide protons in 1:1 binding by ¹H NMR and the quenching in the fluorescence spectra reveal strong binding and thus unambiguously support the complexation of the receptor 1 with dicarboxylic acids.     

What anions do inside a receptor's cavity: a trifurcate anion receptor providing both electrostatic and hydrogen-bonding interactions

The trifurcate receptor 1(3+) forms stable 1:1 complexes with halide and oxo anions in MeCN solution, as shown by spectrophotometric and 1H NMR experiments, and selectively recognizes chloride (lg K(ass) > 7) in the presence of fluoride and bromide. The high stability reflects the receptor's ability to donate up to six hydrogen bonds (from three pyrrole N-H and three C-H fragments, polarized by the proximate positive charge) to the included anion. Addition of an excess of more basic anions (F- and CH3COO-) induces stepwise deprotonation of the N-H groups, an event signalled by the appearance of a bright yellow color. Crystal and molecular structures are reported for the complex with NO3(-) and a capsule consisting of two interconnected trifurcate subunits, one of which includes an H-bound Br- ion, while the other is doubly deprotonated and includes an H-bound water molecule. Finally, evidence is given for the formation in solution of an authentic complex of OH-, in which H-bound hydroxide is included within the cavity of 1(3+).     

Novel thiophene based colorimetric and fluorescent receptor for selective recognition of fluoride ions

A colorimetric anion sensor 2,2′-(1E,1′E)-(thiophene-2,5-diylbis(methan-1-yl-1-ylidene)) was synthesized and characterized by various spectroscopic techniques. Anion binding studies were carried out using UV-visible spectrophotometric titrations and emission spectra studies, revealed that the receptor exhibits selective recognition toward F⁻over other anions. The selectivity for F⁻among the halides is attributed mainly to the hydrogen-bond interaction of the receptor with F⁻. Receptor 1 showed color change from fluorescent green to orange in the presence of tetrabutylammonium fluoride with 1:1 stoichiometry. Receptor 1 exhibits remarkably enhanced fluorescence intensity.     

Competitive anion binding aptitude of benzimidazole and amide functionality of a non-symmetrical receptor in solid state and solution phase

A novel non-symmetric tripodal receptor (L) with benzimidazole and amide –NH functionalities has been synthesised and a comparative study for anion binding aptitude of those functionalities has been performed in solid state and solution phase. The protonated receptors in solid state tend to form a pseudo-cavity around the octahedral hexafluorosilicate anion whilst in second complex, binding of one sulphate and two bisulphates in unison by two protonated units arises. The benzimidazole –NHs are the strongest hydrogen bond donors in both the crystals controlling dominance over amide –NHs. The neutral receptor being selective towards fluoride anion induces a naked eye visible colorimetric change. The ¹H NMR studies with the neutral and protonated form of the receptor suggest the strong involvement of amide –NH in anion binding in solution phase.     

A naked-eye detection of fluoride with urea/thiourea receptors which have both a benzophenone group and a nitrophenyl group as a signalling group

Two new colorimetric anion sensors have been synthesised where both a benzophenone group and a nitrophenyl group were used as signalling units and urea/thiourea moieties as binding sites. The receptors, effectively and selectively, recognised fluoride and carboxylate anions from other anions such as chloride, bromide, iodide, perchlorate, hydrogen sulphate and nitrate in DMSO.     

一种新型吡唑啉衍生物荧光受体的合成及其离子识别性能

以苯环为荧光基团合成了一种新的吡唑啉衍生物荧光受体;采用核磁共振光谱对目标化合物进行了结构表征,并利用荧光光谱法研究了其对常见阳离子的选择性识别.结果表明,合成的吡唑啉衍生物对Na+、H+、Fe3+、Cu2+具有良好的识别络合效果.     

A Novel siloxane-containing dicarboxylic acid, 1,3-bis(p-carboxyphenylene-ester-methylene)tetramethyldisiloxane,and its derivatives: ester macrocycle and supramolecular structure with a copper complex

The new dicarboxylic acid, 1,3-bis(p-carboxyphenylene-ester-methylene)tetramethyldisiloxane (H₂L, 1) was obtained by treating 1,3-bis(chloromethyl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane with a mixture of terephthalic acid and terephthalic acid sodium salt in a 1:1 ratio. In this approach, besides the desired compound 1 (33 wt % yield), the condensation cyclic dimer 2 (7 wt % yield) and an oligomer 3 (10 wt % yield) resulted. The reaction between dicarboxylic acid H₂L, where L is the carboxylate ligand, along with imidazole as co-ligand, and copper hydroxide resulted in the formation of a coordination compound [Cu(HIm)₄(H₂O)₂]L·4.5H₂O (4). Single-crystal X-ray crystallography has revealed that the crystal structure of 4 is a self-assembled H-bonded three-dimensional supramolecular structure. FTIR and NMR spectral techniques were also used to characterize the formed structures. Optical and thermal properties of all compounds were studied. The stability of the supramolecular structure in solution (methanol) and with temperature was studied using ATR-FTIR. The ability of the macrocycle 2 to bind potassium cations in solution was investigated by UV–vis spectrophotometry.     

Halide anion capture and recognition by a tetrahedral tetraammonium receptor in water: a molecular dynamics investigation

We report molecular dynamics potential of mean force (PMF) simulations on the capture of halide anions X(-) (F(-), Cl(-), Br(-)) by a tetrahedral receptor L(4+) built from four quaternary ammonium sites connected by six (CH(2))(n) chains, leading to the formation of inclusion complexes X(-) subset L(4+). Simulations performed with a reaction field correction of the electrostatics and with PME-Ewald summation gave very similar energy profiles. In aqueous solution, an energy barrier of 12-17 kcal mol(-1) was found for the three anions, mainly due to their dehydration when they enter through the largest triangular face of L(4+). In the inclusion complexes, the anion is anchored near the center of the cavity due to the electrostatic field of the four positively charged ammonium sites, shielded from the surrounding water molecules. It was predicted that L(4+) is selective for Cl(-) over Br(-) which both form stable inclusion complexes, while the F(-) complex should dissociate. The comparison of PMFs in aqueous solution and in the gas phase and the energy component analysis demonstrates the importance of solvent on the nature of these complexes and on the complexation energy profiles. The Cl(-)/Br(-) selectivity obtained from the dissociation pathways in water was in good agreement with the results of free energy perturbation simulations based on the "alchemical route" of a thermodynamic cycle, and consistent with experimental observations.     

Cationic cobaltammine as anion receptor: Synthesis, characterization, single crystal X-ray structure and packing analysis of hexaamminecobalt(III) chloride (R,R)-tartrate monohydrate

In an effort to utilize the [Co(NH₃)₆]³⁺ cation as a new anion receptor (binding agent) for dihydroxy dicarboxylate anion i.e., tartrate, orange single crystals of hexaamminecobalt(III) chloride (R,R)-tartrate monohydrate, [Co(NH₃)₆]Cl(C₄H₄O₆)·H₂O, were obtained by reacting hexaamminecobalt(III) chloride with potassium–sodium tartrate tetrahydrate in a 1:1 molar ratio in hot water. The single crystal X-ray structure determination of [Co(NH₃)₆]Cl(C₄H₄O₆)·H₂O revealed that a distinctive network of hydrogen bonding interactions (N–HO, N–HCl⁻, O–HO) stabilize the crystal lattice. This is the first complex salt of hexaamminecobalt(III) with dihydroxy dicarboxylate anion i.e., tartrate.