Highly stable pseudo[2]rotaxanes co-driven by crown ether-ammonium and donor-acceptor interactions

Bis-p-phenylene-34-crown-10 derivatives 1 and 2, bearing one and two dibenzo[24]crown-8 units, respectively, and 4,4′-dipyridinium derivatives of 3·3PF₆ and of 4·4PF₆, bearing one and two ammonium groups, respectively, have been synthesized from readily available starting materials. ¹H NMR and UV-vis studies reveal that in polar acetonitrile 1 binds 3·3PF₆ to produce pseudo[2]rotaxane 1·3·3PF₆ by making use of one donor-acceptor and one electrostatic interaction, whereas 2 binds 4·4PF₆ to form pseudo[2]rotaxane 2·4·4PF₆ through one donor-acceptor and two electrostatic interactions. The association constants of the two pseudorotaxanes have been determined by the UV-vis titration method to be 9.1 (±1.0)×10³ M⁻¹ and 6.5 (±0.7)×10⁵ M⁻¹, respectively. The high stability of the new pseudo[2]rotaxanes has been ascribed to the cooperative interaction of the two different non-covalent forces.     

Chiral calix[4]azacrowns for enantiomeric recognition of amino acid derivatives

In this study the synthesis of novel chiral calix[4]azacrown derivatives has been reported. The enantioselectivity of chiral receptors was investigated by using UV-vis spectroscopy. All the chiral calix[4]arene derivatives exhibited certain chiral recognition toward the enantiomers of phenylalanine (Phe-OMe·HCl) and alanine methyl ester hydrochlorides (Ala-OMe·HCl). As a chiral receptor, the furfuryl-armed calix[4]azacrown ether 7 has the best enantiomeric discriminating ability for α-amino acid ester hydrochlorides (up to K_L/K_D=2.08, ΔΔG₀=−1.82 kJ mol⁻¹) in CHCl₃. The enantiomeric recognition abilities for guests are also discussed from a thermodynamic point of view.     

Cucurbit[7]uril stabilization of a diarylmethane carbocation in aqueous solution

The stability of the 4,4′-bis(dimethylamino)diphenylmethane carbocation is significantly enhanced in aqueous solution by its inclusion in the cucurbit[7]uril host cavity. The formation of the host-guest complex (K_CB[7] = 2.0 × 10⁴ M⁻¹) shifts the carbinol-carbocation equilibrium, maximizing the formation of the intensely blue carbocation to 90% at pH 5.2.     

An oxacalix[2]arene[2]pyrimidine-bis(Zn-porphyrin) tweezer as a selective receptor towards fullerene C70

An oxacalix[2]arene[2]pyrimidine-bis(Zn^II-porphyrin) conjugate was readily prepared via nucleophilic aromatic substitution of a phenolic AB₃-Zn-porphyrin on the upper rim of a (1,3-alternate) 5,17-bis(methylsulfonyl)oxacalix[4]arene precursor. Efficient 1:1 complex formation between the ‘jaws’ bisporphyrin tweezer and fullerene C₇₀ was evidenced by ¹H NMR titrations (K = 3.0 × 10⁴ M⁻¹), while no detectable complexation could be observed with C₆₀. On the other hand, an analogous oxacalix[4]arene-bis(Cu-corrole) conjugate did not show any measurable (C₆₀ or C₇₀) fullerene binding.     

Oxidation of substituted pyridines by dimethyldioxirane: kinetics and solvent effects

The oxidation of a series of substituted pyridines by dimethyldioxirane (1) produced the expected N-oxides in quantitative yields. The second order rate constants (k₂) for the oxidation of a series of substituted pyridines (2a-g) by dimethyldioxirane were determined in dried acetone at 23 °C. An excellent correlation with Hammett sigma values was found (ρ = −2.91, r = 0.995). Kinetic studies for the oxidation of 4-trifluoromethylpyridine by 1 were carried out in the following dried solvent systems: acetone (k₂ = 0.017 M⁻¹ s⁻¹), carbon tetrachloride/acetone (7:3; k₂ = 0.014 M⁻¹ s⁻¹), acetonitrile/acetone (7:3; k₂ = 0.047 M⁻¹ s⁻¹), and methanol/acetone (7:3; k₂ = 0.68 M⁻¹ s⁻¹). Kinetic studies of the oxidation of pyridine by 1 versus mole fraction of water in acetone [k₂ = 0.78 M⁻¹ s⁻¹ (χ = 0) to k₂ = 11.1 M⁻¹ s⁻¹ (χ = 0.52)] were carried out. The results showed the reaction to be very sensitive to protic, polar solvents.     

Detection of cationic guest molecules by quenching of luminescence of a self-assembled host molecule consisting of terbium(III) and calix[4]arene-p-tetrasulfonates

By self-assembly in aqueous solution, calix- (CAS) and thiacalix[4]arene-p-tetrasulfonate (TCAS) formed luminescent complexes Tb^III·(CAS)₂ and Tb^III·TCAS, respectively, which were utilized as a host for cationic guests. Addition of 1-ethylpyridinium guest quenched luminescence of Tb^III·(CAS)₂ in accordance with the Stern-Volmer (SV) relation with a low detection limit (D.L.) of 5.94 × 10⁻⁸ M (S/N = 3, M ≡ mol dm⁻³). On the other hand, 1-ethylquinolinium quenched luminescence of Tb^III·TCAS most efficiently, affording a very low D.L. (6.71 × 10⁻¹⁰ M). The agreement of the SV coefficients obtained with luminescent intensity (K_SV,all = 6.74 × 10⁶ M⁻¹) and lifetime (K_SV,Tb = 6.50 × 10⁶ M⁻¹) implied that dynamic quenching of ⁵D₄ excited state of Tb^III was predominant in the quenching processes. The quenching rate was estimated to be k_q,Tb = 9.94 × 10⁹ M⁻¹ s⁻¹, which was as fast as diffusion-limited rate. Quenching of Tb^III·(CAS)₂ was also applied to detection of NAD⁺, with a D.L. of 2.78 × 10⁻⁷ M.     

The petentiometric determination of peroxide hydrogen and glucose on the glassy electrode modified by the calix[4]arene

A new petentiometric method to determine peroxide hydrogen and glucose had been studied. This method had been applied on the petentiometric determination of peroxide hydrogen and glucose in the total ionic strength adjustment buffer (TISAB) (pH 7.5) solution with the glassy electrode modified by the calix[4]arene. The glassy carbon electrode covered with the calix[4]arene depended on the H₂O₂ concentration in the range of log[H₂O₂] from −3.3 to −1.2 in the solution of TISAB (pH 7.5) with nearly Nernstian slope of about 65.6 ± 3 mV and the detection limit of peroxide hydrogen was 4.0 × 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹. The glassy carbon electrode covered with the calix[4]arene depended on the glucose concentration in the range of log[glucose] from −3.6 to −2.8 in the solution of TISAB (pH 7.5) with nearly Nernstian slope of about 50.2 ± 2 mV and the detection limit of glucose was 2.0 × 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹. The electrode had the good selectivity, sensitivity, stability and repeatability.     

Comparison of pyrimethanil-imprinted beads and bulk polymer as stationary phase by non-linear chromatography

A pyrimethanil-imprinted polymer (P1) was prepared by iniferter-mediated photografting a mixture of methacrylic acid and ethylene dimethacrylate onto homemade near-monodispersed chloromethylated polydivinylbenzene beads. The chromatographic behaviour of a column packed with these imprinted beads was compared with another column packed with irregular particles obtained by grinding a bulk pyrimethanil-imprinted polymer (P2). The comparison was made using the kinetic model of non-linear chromatography, studying the elution of the template and of two related substances, cyprodinil and mepanipyrim. Extension of the region of linearity, capacity factors for the template and the related substances, column selectivity, binding site heterogeneity, apparent affinity constant (K) and lumped kinetic association (k_a) and dissociation rate constant (k_d) were studied during a large interval of solute concentration, ranging between 1 and 2000 μg/ml. From the experimental results obtained, in the linearity region of solute concentration column selectivity and binding site heterogeneity remained essentially the same for the two columns, while column capacity (at 20 μg/ml, P1 = 23.1, P2 = 11.5), K (at 20 μg/ml, P1 = 8.3 × 10⁶ M⁻¹, P2 = 2.5 × 10⁶ M⁻¹) and k_a (at 20 μg/ml, P1 = 3.5 μM⁻¹ s⁻¹, P2 = 0.47 μM⁻¹ s⁻¹) significantly increased and k_d (at 20 μg/ml, P1 = 0.42 s⁻¹, P2 = 0.67 s⁻¹) decreased for the column packed with the imprinted beads. These results are consistent with an influence of the polymerisation method on the morphology of the resulting polymer and not on the molecular recognition properties due to the molecular imprinting process.     

Potentiometric evaluation of calix[4]arene anion receptors in membrane electrodes: phosphate detection

Ion-selective membrane electrodes doped with the urea- or thiourea-functionalised calix[4]arenes, 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25,27-bis[[4-N′-(phenylureido)butyl]oxy]-26,28-dipropoxy calix[4]arene (I) and 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25,27-bis[[4-(N′-phenylthioureido)-butyl]oxy]-26,28-dipropoxy calix[4]arene (II), were evaluated for anion sensing. Potentiometric results show that these calixarene ionophore-based membrane electrodes exhibit a good sensitivity to aqueous solutions of the monohydrogen orthophosphate species HPO₄²⁻ in the concentration range 5.0 × 10⁻⁵ to 1.0 × 10⁻¹ M, with near-Nernstian response slopes of −33.0 and −28.0 mV dec⁻¹ for ionophores I and II, respectively. Selectivity coefficient values for monohydrogen orthophosphate over a range of common anions were determined by the fixed interference and matched potential methods and indicated that these membrane electrodes exhibit a good selectivity for HPO₄²⁻ with respect to the other anions, including sulfate and nitrate.     

A method for rapid screening of interactions of pharmacologically active compounds with albumin

We determine the association constants for ligand–protein complex formation using the flow injection method. We carry out the measurements at high flow rates (F = 1 mL min⁻¹) of a carrier phase. Therefore, determination of the association constant takes only a few minutes. Injection of 1 nM of the ligand (10 μL of 1 μM concentration of the ligand solution) is sufficient for a single measurement. This method is tested and verified for a number of complexes of selected drugs (cefaclor, etodolac, sulindac) with albumin (BSA). We obtain K = 4.45 × 10³ M⁻¹ for cefaclor, K = 1.00 × 10⁵ M⁻¹ for etodolac and K = 1.03 × 10⁵ M⁻¹ for sulindac in agreement with the literature data. We also determine the association constants of 20 newly synthesized 3β- and 3α-aminotropane derivatives with potential antipsychotic activity – ligands of 5-HT_1A, 5-HT_2A and D₂ receptors with the albumin. Results of the studies reported here indicate that potential antipsychotic drugs bind weakly to the transporter protein (BSA) with K ≈ 10²–10³ M⁻¹. Our method allows measuring K in a wide range of values (10²–10⁹ M⁻¹). This range depends only on the solubility of the ligand and sensitivity of the detector.     

Kinetic study of the oxidative addition reaction between methyl iodide and [Rh(FcCOCHCOCF3)(CO)(PPh3)]: Structure of [Rh(FcCOCHCOCF3)(CO)(PPh3)(CH3)(I)]

The kinetics of oxidative addition of CH₃I to [Rh(FcCOCHCOCF₃)(CO)(PPh₃)], where Fc = ferrocenyl and (FcCOCHCOCF₃)⁻ = fctfa = ferrocenoylacetonato, have been studied utilizing UV/Vis, IR, ¹H and ³¹P NMR techniques. Three definite sets of reactions involving isomers of at least two distinctly different classes of Rh^III-alkyl and two different classes of Rh^III-acyl species were observed. Rate constants for this reaction in CHCl₃ at 25 °C, applicable to the reaction sequence below, were determined as k₁ = 0.00611(1) dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹, k₋₁ = 0.0005(1) s⁻¹, k₃ = 0.00017(2) s⁻¹ and k₄ = 0.0000044(1) s⁻¹ while k₋₃ ? k₃ and k₋₄ ? k₄ but both ≠0. The indeterminable equilibrium K₂ was fast enough to be maintained during Rh^I depletion in the first set of reactions and during the Rh^IIIalkyl2 formation in the second set of reactions. From a ¹H and ³¹P NMR study in CDCl₃, K_c1 was found to be 0.68, K_c2 = 2.57, K_c3 = 1.00, K_c4 = 4.56 and K_c5 = 1.65.     

Complexes of benzo-15-crown-5 with protonated primary amines and diamines

Three complexes of benzo-15-crown-5 (B15C5) with protonated primary amines [PhCH₂NH₃(B15C5)](ClO₄), [p-C₆H₄(CH₂NH₃)₂(B15C5)₂](ClO₄)₂, and [(CH₂)₄(NH₃)₂(B15C5)₂](SCN)₂ were isolated and studied in acetonitrile solutions by NMR, and in the solid state by X-ray crystallography. In all complexes, one B15C5 molecule was bound with each R-NH₃⁺ moiety with characteristic small separation of 1.84-1.86 Å between the nitrogen of the R-NH₃⁺ group and the O₅ mean plane of the crown residue. No sandwich-type complexes with a 1:2 R-NH₃⁺/B15C5 stoichiometry were observed. Binding affinities of B15C5 in acetonitrile were similar for all ammonium cations studied: K₁=550±10 M⁻¹ for [PhCH₂NH₃]⁺; K₁=1100±100 and K₂=400±30 M⁻¹ for [p-C₆H₄(CH₂NH₃)₂]²⁺; and K₁=1100±100 and K₂=300±30 M⁻¹ for [H₃N(CH₂)₄NH₃]²⁺. The complexation is primarily enthalpy-driven (ΔH°=−4.9±0.5 kcal/mol, ΔS°=−3.8±1.0 eu for PhCH₂NH₃⁺-B15C5), as determined by variable temperature ¹H NMR titrations.     

Reverse atom transfer radical polymerisation (RATRP) of methacrylates using copper(I)/pyridinimine catalysts in conjunction with AIBN

N-n-Propyl-2-pyridylmethanimine, 1, N-n-octyl-2-pyridylmethanimine, 2, N-n-lauryl-2-pyridylmethanimine, 3, and N-n-octadecyl-2-pyridylmethanimine, 4 have been used in conjunction with copper(II) bromide and azo initiators for the reverse atom transfer radical polymerisation of a range of methacrylates. AIBN to Cu^IIBr₂ ratios of 0.5:1, 0.75:1 and 1:1 give PMMA with M_n 11 500 g mol⁻¹ (PDi = 1.24) (at 22% conversion), 12 500 g mol⁻¹ (PDi = 1.06) (at 83% conversion) and 10 900 g mol⁻¹ (PDi = 1.11) (at 84% conversion), respectively. A Cu^IIBr₂ complex is demonstrated to be needed at the start of the reaction for good control over molecular weight and polydispersity as reactions using Cu(I)Br as catalyst yielded PMMA of M_n 31 000 g mol⁻¹ (PDi = 2.90), reactions with no copper yield PMMA of M_n 33 000 g mol⁻¹ (PDi = 2.95). The RATRP of styrene was carried out using Cu^IIBr₂ as catalyst. AIBN to Cu^IIBr₂ ratio of 0.5:1, 0.75:1 and 1:1 gave PS with M_n = 12 400 g mol⁻¹ (PDi = 1.27) at low conversion, M_n = 15 500 g mol⁻¹ (PDi = 1.11) and 12 400 g mol⁻¹ (PDi = 1.38), respectively at ∼85% conversion. A series of block copolymers of MMA with BMA, BzMA and DMEAMA (15 600 g mol⁻¹ (PDi = 1.18), 13 300 g mol⁻¹ (PDi = 1.14) 15 300 g mol⁻¹ (PDi) = 1.16), using a PMMA macroinitiator were prepared. Emulsion polymerisation of MMA using [initiator]:[Cu^(II)Br₂] ratio = 0.5:1 with Brij surfactant gave a linear increase of M_n with respect to conversion, final M_n = 112 800 g mol⁻¹ (PDi = 1.42). Further reactions were carried out with [initiator]:[Cu^(II)Br₂] ratio = 0.75:1 and 1:1. Both giving PMMA with M_n ∼ 32 000 g mol⁻¹ (PDi ∼ 2.4). These reactions exhibit no control, this is because the azo initiator is present in excess and all of the monomer is consumed by a free radical polymerisation as opposed to a controlled reaction. Particle size analysis (DLS) showed the particle size between 160 and170 nm in all cases.     

Chelating ionic versus bridged molecular structures of group 13 metal complexes with bidentate ligands

Complexes of aluminum and gallium trihalides with ethylenediamine (en) and N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine (tmen) of 2:1 composition have been synthesized and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. In contrast to known molecular complexes of hydrido and methyl-substituted analogs, these solid complexes adopt ionic structures of the general type [M¹X₂LL]⁺[M²X₄]⁻ (X = Br, I; M¹, M² = Al or Ga; LL = en, tmen).     

New C2-symmetric 2,2′-bipyridine crown macrocycles for enantioselective recognition of amino acid derivatives

A series of new C₂-symmetric 2,2′-bipyridine-contaning crown macrocycles 1-4 has been developed for enantiomeric recognition of amino acid derivatives. These new macrocycles have been showed to be strong complexing agents for primary organic ammonium salts (with K up to 4.83×10⁵ M⁻¹ and −ΔG₀ up to 32.4 kJ mol⁻¹) and also useful chromophores for UV-vis titration studies. These macrocyclic hosts exhibited enantioselective binding towards the (S)-enantiomer of phenylglycine methyl ester hydrochloride (Am1) with K_(S)/K_(R) up to 2.10 (ΔΔG₀=−1.84 kJ mol⁻¹) in CH₂Cl₂ with 0.25% CH₃OH. The structure-binding relationship studies showed that the aromatic subunit and the ester group of the ammonium guests are both important for good enantioselectivity. In addition, the host-guest complexes have been studied using various NMR experiments.     

A new Hg-selective fluorescent sensor based on a dansyl amide-armed calix[4]-aza-crown

A new fluorescent chemosensor for Hg²⁺ based on a dansyl amide-armed calix[4]-aza-crown was reported. It exhibits high sensitivity and selectivity toward Hg²⁺ over a wide range of metal ions in MeCN-H₂O (4:1, v/v). The association constant of the 1:1 complex formation for 2-Hg²⁺ was calculated to be 1.31 × 10⁵ M⁻¹, and the detection limit for Hg²⁺ was found to be 4.1 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹.     

Enthalpy change and mechanism of oxidation of o-phenylenediamine by hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by horseradish peroxidase

The hydrogen peroxide-oxidation of o-phenylenediamine (OPD) catalyzed by horseradish peroxidase (HRP) at 37 °C in 50 mM phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) was studied by calorimetry. The apparent molar reaction enthalpy with respect to OPD and hydrogen peroxide were −447 ± 8 kJ mol⁻¹ and −298 ± 9 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. Oxidation of OPD by H₂O₂ catalyzed by HRP (1.25 nM) at pH 7.0 and 37 °C follows a ping-pong mechanism. The maximum rate V_max (0.91 ± 0.05 μM s⁻¹), Michaelis constant for OPD K_m,S (51 ± 3 μM), Michaelis constant for hydrogen peroxide Km,H₂O₂ (136 ± 8 μM), the catalytic constant k_cat (364 ± 18 s⁻¹) and the second-order rate constants k₊₁ = (2.7 ± 0.3) × 10⁶ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ and k₊₅ = (7.1 ± 0.8) × 10⁶ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ were obtained by the initial rate method.     

Be and P NMR analyses on Be complexation with cyclo-tri-μ-imidotriphosphate anions in aqueous solution

Microscopic information on the complexation of Be²⁺ with cyclo-tri-μ-imidotriphosphate anions in aqueous solution has been gained by both ⁹Be and ³¹P NMR techniques at −2.3 °C. Separate NMR signals corresponding to free and complexed species have been observed in both spectra. Based on an empirical additivity rule, i.e., proportionality observed between the ⁹Be NMR chemical shift values and the number of coordinating atoms of ligand molecules, the ⁹Be NMR spectra have been deconvoluted. By precise equilibrium analyses, the formation of [BeX(H₂O)₃]⁺ and [BeX₂(H₂O)₂]⁰ (X = non-bridging oxygen donor as a coordination atom in the phosphate groups) has been verified, and the formation of complexes coordinating with the nitrogen atoms of the cyclic framework in the ligand molecule has been excluded. Instead, the formation of one-to-one (ML) complexes, one-to-two (ML₂), together with two-to-one (M₂L) complexes (L = cP₃O₆(NH)₃) has been disclosed, the stability constants of which have been evaluated as log K_ML = 3.87 ± 0.03 (mol dm⁻³)⁻¹, log K_ML2 = 2.43 ± 0.03 (mol dm⁻³)⁻² and log K_M2L = 1.30 ± 0.02 (mol dm⁻³)⁻², respectively. ³¹P NMR spectra measured concurrently have verified the formation of the complexes estimated by the ⁹Be NMR measurement. Intrinsic ³¹P NMR chemical shift values of the phosphorus atoms belonging to ligand molecules complexed with Be²⁺, together with the ³¹P-³¹P spin-spin coupling constants have been determined.     

l-Lysine-linked anthracenophane derived from thermodynamically controlled intermediates

We easily and simply synthesized l-lysine-linked anthracenophane from [2+2] macrocyclization between anthracene-9,10-dicarboxaldehyde and l-lysine methyl ester by thermodynamically controlled process. The structure was characterized by single crystal X-ray resolution and ¹H NMR. Circular dichroism spectrum showed induced-CDs including exciton-coupled CD, suggesting that intramolecular anthracene moieties exist in chiral arrangement. The resultant anthracenophane can form a 1:1 complex with a silver(I) ion in its cavity via NH-metal coordination and cation-π interaction (K_a = 2.62 × 10⁵ M⁻¹).     

Binuclear ruthenium and osmium mixed-valence complexes containing fused and flexible polypyridyl bridging ligands

{Os(bpy)₂}²⁺ and {Ru(CN)₄}²⁻ mononuclear and binuclear complexes with ligands 2,3-di-(2-pyridyl)quinoxaline (dpq) and dipyrido[2,3-a:3′,2′-c]phenazine (ppb) have been prepared. For the binuclear complexes a splitting in oxidation potentials is observed consistent with the formation of mixed-valence species with comproportionation constants (K_com) ranging from 2.5 × 10⁴ to 1.8 × 10⁶. The electronic absorption spectra of the mixed-valence species reveal IVCT transitions in the near infrared region. The absorption maximum for the IVCT band ranges from 5800 to 9980 cm⁻¹ and the extinction coefficients from 80 to 6300 M⁻¹ cm⁻¹. In general the {Os(bpy)₂}²⁺ complexes show larger K_com values and more intense IVCT bands than the corresponding {Ru(CN)₄}²⁻ complexes.