Dipyrrolyl-functionalized bipyridine-based anion receptors for emission-based selective detection of dihydrogen phosphate

New cationic anion receptors, based on the use of pyrrole-substituted bipyridine and coordinated to transition metals, are described. Specifically, polypyridine-ruthenium and -rhodium cores have been functionalized to generate an anion binding site. The design was chosen to probe the influence of the pyrrole-to-pyrrole separation on anion-binding affinities and selectivities; this distance is greater in the new systems of this report (receptors 1 and 2) relative to that present in related dipyrrolyl quinoxaline based receptors 3 and 4. Solution-phase anion-binding studies, carried out by means of (1)H NMR spectroscopic titrations in [D(6)]DMSO and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) in DMSO, reveal that 1 and 2 bind most simple anions with substantially higher affinity than either 3 or 4. In the case of chloride anion, structural studies, carried out by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses, are consistent with the solution-phase results and reveal that receptors 1 and 2 are both able to stabilize complexes with this halide anion in the solid state.     

Modulation of a Molecular π‐Electron System in a Purely Organic Conductor that Shows Hydrogen‐Bond‐Dynamics‐Based Switching of Conductivity and Magnetism

New important aspects of the hydrogen‐bond (H‐bond)‐dynamics‐based switching of electrical conductivity and magnetism in an H‐bonded, purely organic conductor crystal have been discovered by modulating its tetrathiafulvalene (TTF)‐based molecular π‐electron system by means of partial sulfur/selenium substitution. The prepared selenium analogue also showed a similar type of phase transition, induced by H‐bonded deuterium transfer followed by electron transfer between the H‐bonded TTF skeletons, and the resulting switching of the physical properties; however, subtle but critical differences due to sulfur/selenium substitution were detected in the electronic structure, phase transition nature, and switching function. A molecular‐level discussion based on the crystal structures shows that this chemical modification of the TTF skeleton influences not only its own π‐electronic structure and π–π interactions within the conducting layer, but also the H‐bond dynamics between the TTF π skeletons in the neighboring layers, which enables modulation of the interplay between the H‐bond and π electrons to cause such differences.     

Detection and Identification of Alkylating Agents by Using a Bioinspired “Chemical Nose”

Alkylating agents are simple and reactive molecules that are commonly used in many and diverse fields such as organic synthesis, medicine, and agriculture. Some highly reactive alkylating species are also being used as blister chemical‐warfare agents. The detection and identification of alkylating agents is not a trivial issue because of their high reactivity and simple structure. Herein, we report on a new multispot luminescence‐based approach to the detection and identification of alkylating agents. In order to demonstrate the potential of the approach, seven π‐conjugated oligomers and polymers bearing nucleophilic pyridine groups, 1 – 7 , were adsorbed onto a solid support and exposed to vapors of alkylators 8 – 15 . The alkylation‐induced color‐shift patterns of the seven‐spot array allow clear discrimination of the different alkylators. The spots are sensitive to minute concentrations of alkylators and, because the detection is based on the formation of new covalent bonds, these spots saturate at about 50 ppb.     

Calixarene-based sensing agents

The well-known selective receptor properties and ease of structural modification makes calixarene derivatives attractive materials for use in chemical sensors. This review looks at the history of sensor-related calixarene research prior to 1994 and identifies current trends in sensor research which are influencing the types of derivatives being synthesised and methods of evaluation, such as the increasing popularity of optical modes of transducing host-guest interaction. Future possibilities are briefly discussed and the need for more fundamental studies highlighted.This paper is dedicated to the commemorative issue on the 50th anniversary of calixarenes.     

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.     

Determining the Attenuation Factor in Molecular Wires Featuring Covalent and Noncovalent Tectons

Hybrid covalent/supramolecular porphyrin–fullerene structures were synthesized as highly efficient molecular wires with a remarkably low attenuation factor (β=0.07±0.01 Å^?1). Hydrogen‐bonding interactions and p‐phenylene oligomers of different lengths are responsible for efficient electron transfer in the molecular wires.     

α-Polyfluroalkylbenzyl dichlorophosphates as alkylating agents in alkylation of aromatic compounds

On heating, α-polyfluoroalkylbenzyl dichlorophosphates alkylate mesitylene, durene, and naphthalene to give the corresponding aromatic compounds containing the α-polyfluoro-alkylbenzyl fragment as a substituent. Deceased. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 9, pp. 1866–1869, September, 1998.     

Amide-nitrophenyl based colorimetric receptors for selective sensing of fluoride ions

New chromogenic receptors containing 2-nitrophenyl or 3,5-dinitrophenyl groups appended to the amide or in secondary amine positions have been synthesized and characterized. Upon addition of fluoride to two of the receptors in acetonitrile, the solution acquired a yellow colour. The third receptor showed an intense purple colour with fluoride in acetonitrile and the appearance of the purple colour can be detected by the naked eye at parts per million level. The addition of chloride, bromide and iodide to the receptors did not induce any colour. Thus the receptors can act as fluoride ion sensors even in the presence of other halide ions.     

Photochromic Terbium Phosphonates with Photomodulated Luminescence and Metal Ion Sensitive Detection

Rational selection and modification of rare earth metal centers and photoactive organic linkers enables designable multiphotofunctionality to come to fruition in new hybrid coordination polymer materials. By using a viologen‐functionalized diphosphonate linker, two terbium phosphonate compounds ( Tb‐1 and Tb‐2 ) have been constructed, which display reversible photochromic reactions in response to UV light and soft X‐ray irradiation. In addition, the photo‐induced electron‐transfer reaction can modulate the luminescent emission to thus realize photoluminescence switching behavior. Furthermore, both terbium phosphonates can serve as highly sensitive sensors to probe Cu²⁺ in solution through their luminescence. Thus, they represent the first photochromic examples of lanthanide phosphonate‐based materials with photomodulated luminescence and sensitive detection of metal ions.