The Preorganization Effect of the Calix[4]arene Platform on the Extraction Properties of Acetylhydrazide Groups with Transition Metal Ions

The binding properties of the cone conformer of O,O,O,O-tetrakis[hydrazinocarbonylmethyl]-4-tert-butylcalix[4]arene, the cone and the 1,3-alternate conformers of the corresponding thia analogue have been evaluated by means of liquid–liquid extraction for a large variety of metal ions. The extraction constants and the stoichiometries of the complexes formed have been determined. Comparison of the extraction properties of calix[4]arenes with their acyclic monomeric analogue clearly demonstrated, that the preorganization of acetylhydrazide groups on the calix[4]arene platform is the cause for a significant improvement of its binding properties. The presence of additional “soft” nitrogen binding sites in acetylhydrazide derivatives of calix[4]arenes compared to their amide derivatives leads to a shift from their classical selectivity for alkali and alkaline earth cations to transition metals. The cone conformer of tetrathiacalix[4]arene shows higher selectivity in a series of d-metal ions compared with its “classical” analogue. The 1,3-alternate conformer exhibits an excellent extraction selectivity for Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺.     

Rapid metal ions shuttling through 1,3-alternate Thiacalix[4]crown tubes

Several new thiacalix[4]monocrown and thiacalix[4]biscrown compounds were synthesized. Their metal ion extractabilities are found to be lower than those of conventional calix[4]crowns. By use of X-ray crystal structures and (1)H NMR spectroscopy, this result is explained by weaker electrostatic interactions of the polyether ring oxygen atoms with the metal ions and diminished pi-metal ion interactions between the metal ions and the aromatic rings of the thiacalix[4]crowns. Temperature-dependent (1)H NMR spectroscopic measurements reveal coalescence temperatures T(c)(intra) and T(c)(inter) for metal ion exchange. In one case, this exchange was rationalized as metal ion shuttling through a thiacalix[4]biscrown tube. Since the metal ions are less tightly complexed by the polyether units in thiacalix[4]biscrowns than in conventional calix[4]biscrowns, more facile metal ion exchange between the two polyether units takes place in the former.     

Improvement of selective d-cation binding by tetrathiacalix[4]arene hydrazides: synthesis and extraction properties

New de-tert-butyltetrathiacalix[4]arenes with acetylhydrazide substituents in cone and 1,3-alternate conformations have been synthesised with good yield by the hydrazinolysis of calix[4]arene ester derivatives. The recognition ability of synthesised macrocycles towards transition and alkali metals has been investigated by the picrate extraction method. The stoichiometry of complexes and the extraction constants have been determined. It has been found that tetrahydrazides do not extract alkali metal ions, but show an excellent affinity towards transition and heavy metal cations. The 1,3-alternate conformer of de-tert-butyltetrathiacalix[4]arene has revealed a remarkable selectivity for Ni²⁺ and Ag⁺ in the row of d-elements and for Cd²⁺ ion among the toxic heavy metals. The experimental data show that the removal of tert-butyl groups from tetrathiacalix[4]arene framework leads to the drastic improvement of extraction efficiency and selectivity of new tetrahydrazides.     

Synthesis,crystal structure and complexation behaviour of a thiacalix[4]arene bearing 1,2,3-triazole groups

The structure and complexation behaviour of 1,3-alternate-1,2,3-triazole based on thiacalix[4]arene,1,3-alternate-1 and 2 have been determined by means of X-ray analysis, fluorescence and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The X-ray results suggested that the nitrogen atom N3 on triazole ring can act as hydrogen bond acceptors in the self-assembly of a supramolecular structure. The fluorescence spectra changes indicated that the thiacalix[4]arene bearing 1,2,3-triazole groups were highly selective for Ag⁺ in comparison with other tested metal ions by enhancement of the monomer emission of pyrene. The ¹H NMR results suggested that Ag⁺ can be strongly bonded by the triazole groups with the cooperation of the ionophoric cavity formed by the two inverted benzene rings and the sulfur atoms of the thiacalix[4]arene.     

Dibutylphosphinoylmethyloxythiacalix[4]arenes. Synthesis,structure, americium,europium and technetium extraction

A series of thiacalix[4]arenes bearing one, two or four chelating dibutylphopshinoylmethoxy groups have been synthesised and studied in the context of this paper. The synthesis consisted of precise Williamson alkylation of thiacalixarene tetrols with tosylate of dibutylhydroxymethyl phosphine oxide in the presence of alkali metal carbonates or sodium hydride. Stereochemical yield of the reaction (cone or 1,3-alternate conformer) depends on the nature of alkali metal. Small-sized ‘hard’ sodium cation organises the macrocyclic platform in the cone conformation, but larger and ‘soft’ potassium and cesium cations stabilise the macrocycle in the 1,3-alternate conformation. All synthesised compounds (except monophosphine monoxide) possess either moderate or high extraction ability towards pertechnetate ion. The cone-shaped thiacalix[4]arene tetraphosphine tetraoxide due to cooperative (macrocyclic) effect of eight oxygen atoms of the phosphinoylmetoxy-binding groups effectively extract spherical americium, europium cations due to cooperative (macrocyclic) effect of eight oxygen atoms of the phosphinoylmetoxy-binding groups. The extraction ability is very similar to that of calix[5]arene pentaphosphine pentaoxide existing in the cone conformation.     

Comparative analysis of the binding of thiacalix[4]arene-monocrown-ethers with monovalent metal salts using MALDI mass spectrometry

MALDI mass spectrometry is used for the first time for the rapid assessment of the binding of thiacalix[4]arene-monocrown-ethers with metal cations (Li, Na, K, Cs, Cu, Ag). The work is performed on examples of thiacalix[4]arene-monocrown-ethers in 1,3-alternate conformation with various numbers (m) of ethylene oxide units and various substituents in phenol groups. It is shown that thiacalix[4]arene-monocrown- ethers with m = 3, 4, 5, and 6 bind lithium, sodium, potassium, and cesium cations, respectively; in addition, the binding of cesium cations is stronger in the presence of aromatic substituents in the lower rim of thiacalix[4]arene-monocrown-ethers. Silver cations bind with calixarenes under study more intensely than copper ions. When aromatic substituents are present, the binding of silver cations is stronger than that of alkali metal ions with the studied thiacalix[4]arene-monocrown-ethers.     

Comparative study on the transition metal complexes of a novel thiacalix[4]arene derivative

A comparative study on Zn²⁺ and Cu²⁺ complexes of the novel compound 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25,27-bis{[4-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl]methoxy}-2,8,14,20-tetrathiacalix[4]arene, that possesses potential as a core unit for the construction of molecular receptors, is presented using semiempirical AM1 calculation. The possible structures of each metal complex and their corresponding energetic data are compared with the parent 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-2,8,14,20-tetrathiacalix[4]arene. The complexation ability of both thiacalix[4]arenes towards the two metal ions is discussed on the basis of binding energies. Both thiacalix[4]arene 1:1 complexes show higher complexation ability towards Cu²⁺. However, 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25,27-bis{[4-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl]methoxy}-2,8,14,20-tetrathiacalix[4]arene presents lower complexation ability when compared with the 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-2,8,14,20-tetrathiacalix[4]arene. The results of liquid–liquid extraction experiments of the thiacalix[4]arenes are in good agreement with the theoretical calculations.     

Synthesis and Inclusion Properties of a Novel Thiacalix[4]arene-Based Hard–Soft Receptor with 1,3-Alternate Conformation

A novel ditopic receptor possessing two complexation sites and bearing 1,3-alternate conformation based on thiacalix[4]arene was prepared. The binding behaviors with alkali metals and silver ion have been examined by ¹H NMR titration experiment. Although the formation of the heterogeneous dinuclear complexes was not observed, the exclusive formation of mononuclear complexes of 1,3-alternate-3 with metal cations is of particular interest in negative allosteric effect in the thiacalix[4]arene family. These findings demonstrate that preorganization, subtle conformational changes and affinity have a pronounced effect on the complexation process between the two different arms placed at the two edges of the thiacalix[4]arene cavity.     

Hard–Soft Receptors, Tetrakis[(N,N-diethylaminocarbonyl)methoxy] thiacalix[4]arene Derivatives with cone and 1,3-alternate Conformation

Direct O-alkylation of p-tert-butyltetrathiacalix[4]arene with N,N-diethylchloroacetamide afforded two conformational isomers (1,3-alternate and cone) of tetrakis[(N,N-diethylaminocarbonyl)methoxy]thiacalix[4]arene and 1,3-disubstituted bis[(N,N-diethylaminocarbonyl)methoxy]thiacalix[4]arene, depending on the base used. The complaxation behaviors of the tetrakis isomers were assessed by ¹H NMR titration experiments. Evidence of 1:2 (homo- and hetero-dinuclear) complexes formation of 1,3-alternate-tetrakis[(N,N-diethylaminocarbonyl)methoxy]thiacalix[4]arene with alkali (K⁺ and Na⁺) or transition (Ag⁺) metal ions was obtained. Interestingly, it was found that the cone-tetrakis[(N,N-diethylaminocarbonyl)methoxy]thiacalix[4]arene required a prior Ag⁺ complexation to form 1:2 heterodinuclear complex. Received in final form: 26 January 2005     

Tetra(diethyl)amide-p-tert-butyl-thiacalix[4]arene in Cone Conformation: Synthesis and Binding Properties with Alkali,Alkaline Earth,Heavy and Transition Metal Ions

Tetra(diethyl)amide-p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene 1a in the cone conformation was synthesized and its binding properties towards a large variety of metal ions were established on the basis of liquid–liquid and solid–liquid extraction as well as complexation experiments. This compound is a less efficient and selective compound than the “classical” tetra(diethyl)amide-p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene 3 in the cone conformation for alkali and alkaline earth metal ions. However, Pb²⁺ is selectively extracted and complexed within heavy and transition metal ions.     

Thiacalix[4]arenes: Extraction of palladium and the electronic structure

The extractability of palladium nitro complexes with the charge state of sulfur and oxygen atoms in thiacalix[4]arenas in the cone and 1,3-alternate conformations are compared. The results of X-ray photoelectron and X-ray emission studies indicate the presence of considerable electron density on the bridging sulfur atoms, which is due to the contribution of the sulfur 3p AO to the upper occupied MOs of molecules. A series of changes in the electron density on sulfur atoms in the order calixarene thioethers > thiacalixarenes > dialkylsulfides ((C₁₀H₂₁)₂S) > (C₆H₅)₂S not completely coincide with changes in their extrability, which can be caused by different nature and stoichiometry of the formed palladium complexes.     

Thiacalix[4]monocrowns with terpyridine functional groups as new structural units for luminescent polynuclear lanthanide complexes

Abstract

The synthesis and structure of thiacalix[4]monocrowns in 1,3-alternate configuration substituted by terpyridyl fragments on the lower rim are being discussed. It has been shown that the number of oxyethylene units in oligoethylene glycol chain affects the distribution of the yields of the cross-linking products leading to either thiacalix[4]monocrowns or bisthiacalix[4]arenes. Their complexation ability towards alkali metal and lanthanide ions has been studied using liquid extraction and MALDI TOF MS, in addition to luminescent properties of ligands and their lanthanide complexes. The NMR titration data discovered the participation of both crown ether and terpyridyl fragment in the coordination of lanthanide cations. The fluorescent titration showed the nonlinear emission response to the amount of lanthanide ions.     

Facilitated Transfer of Alkali Metal Ions by a Tetraester Derivative of Thiacalix[4]arene at the Liquid–Liquid Interface

The facilitated transfer of alkali metal ions (Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, and Cs⁺) by 25,26,27,28‐tetraethoxycarbonylmethoxy‐thiacalix[4]arene across the water/1,2‐dichloroethane interface was investigated by cyclic voltammetry. The dependence of the half‐wave transfer potential on the metal and ligand concentrations was used to formulate the stoichiometric ratio and to evaluate the association constants of the complexes formed between ionophore and metal ions. While the facilitated transfer of Li⁺ ion was not observed across the water/1,2‐dichloroethane interface, the facilitated transfers were observed by formation of 1 : 1 (metal:ionophore) complex for Na⁺, K⁺, and Rb⁺ ions except for Cs⁺ ion. In the case of Cs⁺ a 1 : 2 (metal:ionophore) complex was obtained from its special electrochemical response to the variation of ligand concentrations in the organic phase. The logarithms of the complex association constants, for facilitated transfer of Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, and Cs⁺, were estimated as 6.52, 7.75, 7.91 (log β₁°), and 8.36 (log β₂°), respectively.     

Comparative density functional theory study on thiacalix[4]arene binding modes for Zn2+ and Cu2+

A comparative study of the Zn(2+) and Cu(2+) complexation with thiacalix[4]arene is presented using density functional theory methods. The structures and energetics of the possible binding modes of both metal complexes are investigated in detail. Two types of patterns were found in the second deprotonated species, adjacent or opposite phenolate groups, which determine the stability of the different binding modes. The most stable structure for both metal ions was predicted to be a distorted square planar coordination at lower rim with opposite phenolate groups, which has never been referred to in the literature. The results show a higher complexation ability of Cu(2+) than Zn(2+) for all of the binding modes, which is in good agreement with the previous study on liquid-liquid extraction experiments. The analysis of the electrostatic potential surfaces of the metal complexes allows us to conclude that the different complexation features can also be explained by a bigger charge transfer from the metal to the coordinated atoms in the case of the Cu(2+) complex.     

Liquid-liquid extraction of transition and alkali metal cations by a new calixarene: Diphenylphosphino calix[4]arene methyl ether

The liquid-liquid extraction of various metal ions by a diphenylphosphino calix[4]arene (1) using picrate counter ion has been studied and compared with those ofp-tert-butyl-calix[4]arene methyl ether (2) and triphenylphosphine (3). The calixarene 1 shows strong binding ability to almost all metal cations examined, but calixarene 2 shows little ability to extract any of them. Based on the continuous variation method, calixarene 1 formed 1: 2 complexes with copper(II) ion.     

Synthesis and evaluation of a novel pyrenyl-appended triazole-based thiacalix[4]arene as a fluorescent sensor for Ag ion

New fluorescent chemosensors 1,3-alternate-1 and 2 with pyrenyl-appended triazole-based on thiacalix[4]arene were synthesized. The fluorescence spectra changes suggested that chemosensors 1 and 2 are highly selective for Ag⁺ over other metal ions by enhancing the monomer emission of pyrene in neutral solution. However, other heavy metal ions, such as Cu²⁺, and Hg²⁺ quench both the monomer and excimer emission of pyrene acutely. The ¹H NMR results indicated that Ag⁺ can be selectively recognized by the triazole moieties on the receptors 1 and 2 together with the ionophoricity cavity formed by the two inverted benzene rings and sulfur atoms of the thiacalix[4]arene.     

Synthesis and characterisation of p-diethylaminomethylthiacalix[4]arene for selective recovery of platinum from automotive catalyst residue

The ability of chloroform solutions of p-diethylaminomethylthiacalix[4]arene 1 to extract platinum from HCl media was tested. As an ion-pair extractant, compound 1 had the highest platinum extraction ability among all the thiacalix[n]arene derivatives tested in this study. Compound 1 was a highly specific extractant for Pt(IV) ions from single-metal solutions and platinum-group metal solutions from automotive catalyst residue. Various conditions such as contact time, pH, concentration of 1, effect of chloride ions, effect of acidity and Pt(IV) concentration were studied. The distribution ratio of platinum ions (D) was calculated. The platinum complex stoichiometry ratio was obtained using slope analysis. The 1–Pt(IV) complex was characterised using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, FT-IR and ¹H NMR. Finally, the Pt(IV) extraction percentage of compound 1 was compared with that of previously reported thiacalix[n]arene-based extractants.     

一种基于硫杂杯[4]芳烃的高效银离子载体

合成了基于下缘含有酰肼基团的硫杂杯芳烃衍生物的银离子载体1,其核磁研究证实硫杂杯芳烃以1,3-交替构象存在,并且通过非竞争萃取实验和竞争萃取实验研究了它对碱金属和过渡金属离子（Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Cs⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Ag⁺）的键合能力和选择性。实验结果表明：将酰肼基团引入1,3-交替构象的硫杂杯芳烃骨架的下缘可以提高其对Ag⁺的键合能力和选择性,同时,对Cu²⁺的萃取能力较弱,对碱金属离子和其它的重金属离子几乎没有萃取能力。进一步的核磁滴定和电喷雾质谱实验显示化合物1与银离子形成配合物的配合计量比为1：1,由此推断主要由“N-Ag⁺”配位键以及硫杂杯芳烃骨架的协同作用构成了化合物1与银离子的配合模式。     

Solvent extraction and self-assembly of nanosized aggregates of p-tert-butyl thiacalix[4]arenes tetrasubstituted at the lower rim by tertiary amide groups and monocharged metal cations in the organic phase

New p-tert-butyl thiacalix[4]arenes functionalized with morpholide and pyrrolidide groups at the lower rim in cone, partial cone, and 1,3-alternate conformations were synthesized, and their receptor properties for monocharged cations (alkali metal and silver ions) were studied using the picrate extraction method and dynamic light scattering (DLS). To evaluate the ability of the p-tert-butyl thiacalix[4]arene derivatives to recognize metal ions, liquid-liquid extraction of their picrate salts has been carried out in a mutually saturated water-dichloromethane system. The degrees of extraction and the extraction constants for monocharged metal cations (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Cs⁺) have been determined. The ability of the systems, consisting of host and guest molecules, to self-assembly was proved by DLS using a Zetasizer Nano ZS particle size analyzer. It was shown that all the investigated thiacalix[4]arenes are able to form nanoscale particles with silver cations under the experimental conditions. The pyrrolidide derivative in the cone conformation showed both self-association and aggregation processes with lithium cations. The degree of extraction for all the investigated systems that formed nanoscale aggregates in the organic phase was more than 67% and the extraction constants, log K_ex determined by the picrate extraction method, more than 6.     

Alkyl-malonate-substituted thiacalix[4]arenes as ligands for bottom-up design of paramagnetic Gd(III)-containing colloids with low cytotoxicity

The present work introduces thiacalix[4]arene adopting 1,3-alternate conformation with alkyl-malonate terminal substituents as ligands for Gd(III) ions. pH-dependent complex formation of Gd(III) ions via alkyl-malonate substituents in aqueous DMSO solutions results in a precipitation. The precipitated complexes were converted into hydrophilic colloids of “plum-pudding” morphology, where the Gd(III) complexes form hard small (1.5–4 nm) cores included into larger (about 180 nm) soft PSS shells. The precipitate-to-colloid transformation is facilitated by polystyrolsulfonate (PSS) for Gd(III) complexes with thiacalix[4]arene bearing propyl-malonate groups, while the presence of PSS triggers a dissolution of the precipitated complexes for thiacalix[4]arenes with pentyl-malonate substituents. To a lesser extent the similar tendency disturbs the formation of PSS-stabilized colloids on the basis of butyl-malonate substituted thiacalix[4]arene. The PSS-stabilized colloids exhibit high longitudinal and transverse relaxivities (r₁ = 23.8 and r₂ = 29.4 mM⁻¹ s⁻¹ at 0.47 T, respectively), while the recoating of the PSS-stabilized colloids with polyethyleneimine is accompanied by the dissolution of the hard cores. High relaxivity along with low cytotoxicity of PSS-stabilized colloids indicates their applicability as contrast agents in MRI.