Complexation and Transport of Alkali and Alkaline Earth Metal Cations by p-tert-Butyldihomooxacalix[4]arene Tetraketone Derivatives

The binding properties of three p-tert-butyldihomooxacalix[4]arene tetraketone derivatives (tert-butyl 2b, adamantyl 2c and phenyl 2d) in the cone conformation and one derivative (methyl 2a) in a partial cone conformation, towards alkali and alkaline earth metal cations have been established by extraction studies of metal picrates from water into dichloromethane, stability constant measurements in methanol and acetonitrile, and by ¹H NMR spectrometry. Transport experiments of metal picrates through a dichloromethane membrane were also performed. The results are compared to those obtained with closely-related calix[n]arene derivatives (n = 4 and 5) and discussed in terms of the substituents, size and conformational effects. Methylketone 2a is a poor binder for all the cations studied, due to its partial cone conformation. Ketones 2b, 2c and 2d show high extraction and complexation levels for the alkali cations, with similar profiles and preference for K⁺ and Na⁺ (plateau selectivity). Towards alkaline earth cations, these ketones show a strong peak selectivity for Ba²⁺ in extraction, but a plateau selectivity for Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺ and Ba²⁺ in complexation. The nature of the substituent attached to the ketone function has some influence on their binding properties, with phenylketone 2d being a slightly weaker binder than ketones 2b and 2c. ¹H NMR titrations confirm the formation of 1:1 complexes between the ketones and the cations studied, also indicating that they should be located inside the cavity defined by the phenoxy and carbonyl oxygen atoms. Ketones 2b, 2c and 2d show transport rates that do not follow, in general, the same trends observed in extraction and complexation.     

Free energy perturbation and MM/PBSA studies on inclusion complexes of some structurally related compounds with β-cyclodextrin

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have been conducted to explore time-resolved guest–host interactions involving inclusion complex formation between β-cyclodextrin and organic molecules bearing two peripheral benzene rings in aqueous solution. Moreover, free energy perturbation (FEP) and thermodynamic integration (TI) methods at different simulation times have been employed to estimate the relative free energy of complexation. Also, the less computer-time demanding molecular mechanics/Poisson–Boltzmann surface area (MM/PBSA) method was used to estimate the free energy of complexation based on only 1-ns MD simulation. Results showed that both FEP and TI methods were able to reasonably reproduce the experimental thermodynamic quantities. However, long simulation times (e.g. 15 ns) were needed for benzoin mutating to benzanilide (BAN), while moderately shorter times were sufficient for BAN mutating to phenyl benzoate and for benzilic acid mutating to diphenylacetic acid. The results have been discussed in the light of the differences in the chemical structural and conformational features of the guest molecules. In general, it was apparent that the TI method requires less time for convergence of results than the FEP method. However, the less expensive MM/PBSA method proved capable of producing results that are in agreement with those of the more expensive TI and FEP methods.     

Orientational preferences of aromatic guests in dimeric capsules of tetraurea calix[4]arenes--MD and NMR studies

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have been performed for complexes of a dimeric capsule of a tetraurea calixarene with a series of twelve aromatic guests. A distinct orientational preference and a restriction of the internal mobility was found which depend on the size and electronic properties of the guests. The results are in agreement with the CIS values obtained from (1)H NMR spectroscopic measurements and with complexation selectivities obtained by competition experiments.     

TiCl4-n-Bu4NX (X = I, Br, and Cl) combination-induced coupling of alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones with aldehydes.

A three-component coupling reaction between vinyl ketones, aldehydes, and halides has been developed with TiCl(4)-n-Bu(4)NX combined reagents. Treatment of vinyl ketones with a TiCl(4)-n-Bu(4)NI combination followed by an addition of a variety of aldehydes provides syn-alpha-iodomethyl-beta-hydroxy ketones with high stereoselectivity. Methyltriphenylphosphonium iodide as well as n-Bu(4)NI acts efficiently as a halide source. The combination of TiCl(4)-n-Bu(4)NBr provides the corresponding bromo compounds in good yields. syn-alpha-Chloromethyl-beta-hydroxy ketones are obtained with the TiCl(4)-n-Bu(4)NCl combination. A competitive experiment reveals that the order of relative reactivity of the combinations is TiCl(4)-n-Bu(4)NI > TiCl(4)-n-Bu(4)NBr > TiCl(4)-n-Bu(4)NCl.     

Losartan Interactions with 2-Hydroxypropyl-β-CD

Losartan potassium salt (LSR) is a well-known antihypertensive drug with proven beneficial effects on human health. Its formulation with the non-toxic 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (2-HP-β-CD) could improve its pharmacological profile. Thus, its molecular interactions are studied using a combination of Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Molecular Dynamics (MD). First, its complexation is shown through Differential Scanning Calorimetry as lyophilization provided distinct thermal properties in comparison to the mixture. The complexation is further proved by utilizing the chemical shift changes in the complexation and T1 values. Furthermore, the reversible favorable complexation was shown by MD calculations. Such physical chemical properties provide evidence that this formulation must be further explored through biological experiments.     

Manganese η2-complexes as auxiliaries for stereoselective aldol synthesis of allenyl carbinols

A convenient and robust manganese auxiliary was linked via an η(2)-bond to alkynyl esters and ketones using a mild complexation reaction with methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl. This complex readily underwent aldol reactions with exclusive α-substitution and in good diastereoselectivities especially with aryl ketone substrates. This selectivity has been rationalized using a cyclic transition state model in which the manganese auxiliary plays a critical role in promoting E(O)-geometry of the cumulenolate intermediate.     

Conductance Study and Thermodynamics of Some Substituted Ammonium Salts with Crown Ethers in Aqueous Solution

A conductance study of the interaction between substituted ammonium ions with three crown ethers in aqueous solution has been carried out at different temperatures. The formation constants of the 1 : 1 complexes at various temperatures were determined from the molar conductance-mole ratio data and found to vary in the order 18C6 > 15C5 > 12C4 for the same salt and with the same crown, the formation constants vary in the order (C2H5)3NHCl > (C2H5)4NBr > (CH3)3NPhI.The enthalpy and entropy of complexation were determined from the temperature dependence of the formation constants. The results indicate that the complexation process is enthalpy unfavored and entropy favored. The influence on the thermodynamic data for different parameters such as cavity size of crown ethers and nature of salt are discussed.     

Substoichiometric isotope dilution analysis of arsenic in biological and environmental standard reference materials by solvent extraction using toluene-3,4-dithiol in benzene

A radiochemical solvent extraction procedure has been developed for the determination of As(III) using⁷⁶As tracer. It is based on the complexation of As(III) with toluene-3,4-dithiol (TDT) at pH 2 and subsequent extraction in benzene. The effect of various parameters such as pH, time of equilibration, nature of solvent, quantitative character and interferences have been studied. The method has been further developed into substoichiometric isotope dilution analysis for the determination of As at < 1 g level and employed for the analysis of several environmental and biological standard Reference Materials from NIST (USA), IAEA (Vienna) and NIES (Japan).     

Binding energies of five molecular pincers calculated by explicit and implicit solvent models

Molecular pincers or tweezers are designed to hold and release the target molecule. Potential applications involve drug distribution in medicine, environment technologies, or microindustrial techniques. Typically, the binding is dominated by van der Waals forces. Modeling of such complexes can significantly enhance their design; yet obtaining accurate complexation energies by theory is difficult. In this study, density functional theory (DFT) computations combined with dielectric continuum solvent model are compared with the potential of mean force approach using umbrella sampling and the weighted histogram analysis method (WHAM) with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. For DFT, functional and basis set effects are discussed. The computed results are compared to experimental data based on NMR spectroscopic measurements of five synthesized tweezers based on the Tröger's basis. Whereas the DFT computations correctly provided the observed trends in complex stability, they failed to produce realistic magnitudes of complexation energies. Typically, the binding was overestimated by DFT if compared to experiment. The simpler semiempirical PM6‐DH2X scheme proposed lately yielded better magnitudes of the binding energies than DFT but not the right order. The MD‐WHAM simulations provided the most realistic Gibbs binding energies, although the approximate MD force fields were not able to reproduce completely the ordering of relative stabilities of model complexes found by NMR. Yet the modeling provides interesting insight into the complex geometry and flexibility and appears as a useful tool in the tweezers' design. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Chelate effect in cyclodextrin dimers: a computational (MD, MM/PBSA, and MM/GBSA) study

The complexation of an adamantyl-phosphate derivative with one beta-cyclodextrin, with two beta-cyclodextrins, and with two beta-cyclodextrins dimerized with a disulfide bridge was studied by computational methods (MD, MM/PBSA, and MM/GBSA) to analyze and rationalize the chelate effect. Although this effect is usually explained by invoking favorable entropy contribution due to the preorganization of the ligand, it has been determined experimentally that in this case it is enthalpy-driven. The computational results are in accord with this finding, although the entropy contribution due to the solvent structural organization around the complex is crucial for the final estimates of the free energy of complexation.     

Reactions of sodium selenide with ethynyl and bromoethynyl ketones: Stereo- and regioselective synthesis of functionalized divinyl selenides and 1,3-diselenetanes

A method for the preparation of 2,4-dimethylene-1,3-diselenetanes based on the novel reaction of sodium selenide with bromoethynyl ketones has been developed. New functionalized divinyl selenides have been obtained by regio- and stereoselective addition of sodium selenide to ethynyl ketones.     

Hydration of simple amides. FTIR spectra of HDO and theoretical studies

The hydration of formamide (F), N-methylformamide (NMF), N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), acetamide (A), N-methylacetamide (NMA), and N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA) has been studied in aqueous solutions by means of FTIR spectra of HDO isotopically diluted in H2O. The difference spectra procedure has been applied to remove the contribution of bulk water and thus to separate the spectra of solute-affected HDO. To facilitate the interpretation of obtained spectral results, DFT calculations of aqueous amide clusters were performed. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation for the cis and trans forms of NMA was also carried out for the SPC model of water. Infrared spectra reveal that only two to three water molecules from the surrounding of the amides are statistically affected, from among ca. 30 molecules present in the first hydration sphere. The structural-energetic characteristic of these solute-affected water molecules differs only slightly from that in the bulk and corresponds to the clathrate-like hydrogen-bonded cage typical for hydrophobic hydration, with the possible exception of F. MD simulations confirm such organization of water molecules in the first hydration sphere of NMA and indicate a practical lack of orientation and energetic effects beyond this sphere. The geometry of hydrogen-bonded water molecules in the first hydration sphere is very similar to that in the bulk phase, but MD simulations have affirmed subtle differences recognized by the spectral method and enabled their understanding. The spectral data and simulations results are highly compatible. In the case of F, NMF, and A, there is a visible spectral effect of water interactions with N-H groups, which have destabilizing influence on the amides hydration shell. There is no spectral sign of such interaction for NMA as the solute. The energetic stability of water H-bonds in the amide hydration sphere and in the bulk fulfills the order: NMA > DMA > A > NMF > bulk > DMF > F. Microscopic parameters of water organization around the amides obtained from the spectra, which have been used in the hydration model based on volumetric data, confirm the more hydrophobic character of the first three amides in this sequence. The increased stability of the hydration sphere of NMA relative to DMA and of NMF relative to DMF seems to have its origin in different geometries, and so the stability, of water cages containing the amides.     

Investigation of heptakis(2,6-di-O-methyl)-beta-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes with flavonoid glycosides by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

The non-covalent complexes between three flavonoid glycosides (quercitrin, hyperoside and rutin) and heptakis(2,6-di-O-methyl)-beta-cyclodextrin (DM-beta-CD) were investigated by electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (ESI-FTICR-MS). The 1:1 complexation of each flavonoid glycoside (guest) to the DM-beta-CD (host) was monitored in the negative ion mode by mixing each guest with an up to 30-fold molar excess of the host. The binding constants for all complexes were calculated by a linear equation in the order: DM-beta-CD:quercitrin > DM-beta-CD:rutin > DM-beta-CD:hyperoside. A binding model for the complexes has also been proposed based on the binding constants and tandem mass spectrometric data of these complexes.     

Catalyst-controlled selective borocarbonylation of benzylidenecyclopropanes: regiodivergent synthesis of γ-vinylboryl ketones and β-cyclopropylboryl ketones

Regioselective catalytic multi-functionalization reactions enable the rapid synthesis of complexed products from the same precursors. In this communication, we present a method for the regiodivergent borocarbonylation of benzylidenecyclopropanes with aryl iodides. Various γ-vinylboryl ketones and β-cyclopropylboryl ketones were produced in moderate to good yields with excellent regioselectivity from the same substrates. The choice of the catalyst is key for the regioselectivity control: γ-vinylboryl ketones were produced selectively with IPrCuCl and Pd(dppp)Cl₂ as the catalytic system, while the corresponding β-cyclopropylboryl ketones were obtained in high regioselectivity with Cu(dppp)Cl, [Pd(η³-cinnamyl)Cl]₂ and xantphos as the catalytic system. Moreover, γ-vinylboryl ketones and β-cyclopropylboryl ketones were successfully transformed into several other value-added products.

A novel procedure for regiodivergent borocarbonylation of benzylidenecyclopropanes has been developed. A variety of valuable γ-vinylboryl ketones and β-cyclopropylboryl ketones can be obtained selectively in excellent yields.     

Di-, tri-, and tetra-arylterephthalic acids as novel clathrate host compounds

Novel terephthalic acid host compounds having aromatic substituent 1-4 have been prepared and their inclusion properties were investigated. These host compounds enclathrated several kinds of alcohols, ethers, ketones, amides, and sulfoxides. The X-ray structures of 1:1 2a/EtOH, 1:2 2b/DMF, 1:2 3/MeOH, and 1:1 4/EtOH complexes revealed complexation mode.     

Nucleophilic difluoromethylenation of aldehydes and ketones using diethyl difluoro(trimethylsilyl)methylphosphonate

A new nucleophilic difluoromethylenation of aldehydes and ketones using diethyl difluoro(trimethylsilyl)methylphosphonate (1) has been achieved. The reactive carbanion species were generated under mild reaction conditions with a catalytic amount of initiator. This methodology was compatible with non-enolizable and in some cases with enolizable aldehydes and ketones and provided a straightforward access to phosphates of syn and anti 2,2-difluoro-1,3-diols.     

An efficient synthesis of (E)-α,β-unsaturated ketones and esters with total stereoselectivity by using chromium dichloride

(E)-α,β-Unsaturated ketones 1 or esters 2 can be obtained with complete stereoselectivity by reaction of different 2-chloro-3-hydroxy ketones 3 or esters 4 and CrCl₂. A comparative study of the results of synthesis of ketones 1 with CrCl₂ or samarium is performed. A mechanism to explain both β-elimination reactions has been proposed.     

Multi-calixarenes with multidentate coordination sites

Hyperbranched molecules, 4–8, based on calixarenes attached to newly synthesised cores 2 and 3 have been prepared. Preliminary complexation studies of the complexation of Zn(Pic)₂ by 8 showed that the ligand prefers to bind the picrate anions.     

Configurational assignment of alpha-chiral carboxylic acids by complexation to dimeric Zn-porphyrin: host-guest structure,chiral recognition and circular dichroism

A circular dichroic (CD) excition chirality method based on host-guest chiral recognition has been developed to determine the absolute configuration of carboxylic acids with an alpha-stereogenic center; an amide C = O-->Zn coordination, identified by infrared spectroscopy and computations, is involved in this complexation.     

An Evans-Tishchenko-ring-closing metathesis approach to medium-ring lactones

A new approach to the synthesis of medium-ring lactones is reported based on sequential Evans-Tishchenko and ring-closing metathesis (RCM) reactions. High diastereoselectivity (>95:5) is demonstrated in the Evans-Tishchenko reaction of unsaturated aldehydes with unsaturated beta-hydroxy ketones, and conditions for the RCM cyclization of the resultant dienes have been optimized to give high yields of medium ring lactones. The synthetic utility of this sequence is demonstrated through generation of the fully functionalized core of octalactin A. [reaction: see text].