Preorganization of diglycolamides on the calix[4]arene platform and its effect on the extraction of Am(III)/Eu(III)

Different diglycolamide (DGA)-substituted calix[4]arene-based extractants were synthesized and evaluated for the extraction of Am(III) and Eu(III), representative trivalent actinide and lanthanide ions, respectively. On the narrow rim of the calix[4]arene platform, the DGA moiety was either 1,3-di- or tetrasubstituted with a varying spacer length between the oxygen and amide nitrogen atom. In addition, DGA groups were appended both to the wide rim and to both rims of calix[4]arenes and their efficiencies were compared for Am(III) and Eu(III) extraction at three different feed acidities. The extraction and separation efficiencies strongly depended on the N-alkyl substituent as well as the spacer length. 1,3-Di-DGA-substituted calix[4]arenes are inferior extractants to the corresponding tetra-DGA-substituted ones. Narrow rim DGA-functionalized derivatives resulted in high extraction efficiencies, while the wide rim DGA-functionalized calix[4]arenes showed practically no extraction.     

Synthesis of calix[4]arene-based polycarboxylate ligands and their chemical immobilization onto controlled-pore glass

Three new calix[4]arene-based carboxylate ligands with an appended allyl function have been synthesized, chemically immobilized onto a controlled-pore glass (CPG), and the extracting ability of selected materials towards Sr²⁺ in solid-liquid extraction was examined. The calixarenes were characterized by elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, IR and NMR spectroscopy, and where appropriate by X-ray crystallography. Four functionalized CPGs were prepared by radical thiol addition of the corresponding 5-allylcalix[4]arenes to γ-mercaptopropyl-modified CPG. Analysis by ¹³C and ²⁹Si cross polarization/magic angle spinning (CP/MAS) NMR spectroscopy clearly showed the covalent fixation of the calix[4]arenes to CPG. The calix[4]arene phases were found to be stable up to 200 °C by simultaneous thermal analysis (STA). The extraction performance of the modified CPGs towards Sr²⁺ were found to be superior over the unmodified CPGs as demonstrated by radiotracing using the short-lived radio nuclide ⁸⁵Sr.     

Adamantylcalixarenes with CMPO groups at the wide rim: synthesis and extraction of lanthanides and actinides

Starting from p-adamantylcalix[4]- and [6]arenes functionalized with carboxylic acid or ester groups at the adamantane nuclei, carbamoylmethylphosphine oxide (CMPO)-containing ligands of a novel type were synthesized. They were studied as extractants for a series of f-block elements including radioactive ¹⁵²Eu(III), ²⁴¹Am(III), ²³³U(VI), and ²³⁹Pu(IV). Tetrameric ligand 4b in which CMPO residues are connected to adamantane nuclei through methylene groups gave the best extraction results for lanthanides and actinides. For all the ligands the extraction efficiency does not decrease at higher nitric acid concentration. Although the discrimination between trivalent actinides and lanthanides is not good, all ligands are highly selective for thorium(IV) with the best separation factor achieved in the case of hexameric ligand 5 (D_Th/D_Ln>24).     

Complexation of novel diglycolamide functionalized calix[4]arenes: unusual extraction behaviour, transport, and fluorescence studies

Three diglycolamide functionalized calix[4]arenes (calix[4]-nDGA) were synthesized and evaluated for their extraction behaviour towards lanthanide/actinide ions. Exceptionally high D(Am) and D(Pu) values indicate these radiotoxic elements can be selectively removed from nuclear waste solutions. Transport and laser induced fluorescence studies indicated strong complexation of the trivalent metal ions with the calix[4]-4DGA ligand.     

Proximal heteroalkylation of monoalkoxycalix[4]arenes in synthesis of inherently chiral molecules

Proximal heteroalkylation of monoalkyl ethers of calix[4]arenes or p-tert-butylcalix[4]arenes in NaH/CH₃CN or NaOH/DMSO, respectively, was applied for synthesis of inherently chiral calixarenes with ABHH substitution pattern. The introduction by the method of (R)- or (S)-N-(α-phenylethyl)acetamide chiral auxiliary group gives mixtures of diastereomeric derivatives of inherently chiral calixarenes, which were separated by column chromatography. The chiral calixarenes were thoroughly characterized by ¹H, ¹³C NMR, and X-ray diffraction methods.     

Bridge-disubstituted calix[4]arenes obtained via a new preparative route. Synthesis and structural study

A series of calix[4]arenes bearing various substituents including alkyl, p-bromobenzyl, carboxy and allyl at opposite methylene bridges has been synthesized via successive metallation followed by nucleophilic substitution. In a first step, mono-lithiated calix[4]arenes react with terminal bromoalkanes to give 2-alkylated calix[4]arenes or with CO₂ the respective calixarene-2-carboxylic acid in good yields. A second lithiation step of the monosubstituted products with subsequent attachment of both polar and non-polar substituents yields several new diametrally bridge-disubstituted calix[4]arenes. 2D-NMR measurements establish the disubstituted calixarenes to predominantly adopt the 1,2-alternate conformation in solution. First examples of X-ray crystal structures of the new type of disubstituted calix[4]arenes are described featuring the calix[4]arene also in the rare 1,2-alternate conformation.     

Direct access to upper rim substituted mono- and diaryloxy calix[4]arenes via bis(spirodienone) route

A seemingly ipso-like nucleophilic substitution of the upper rim of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene is accomplished by an indirect method involving calix[4]arene derived bis(spirodienone). This method not only provides both mono and 1,3-diaryloxy calixarenes but also enables the synthesis of upper rim monothio substituted calix[4]arenes. A modification of the methodology can be successfully extended for the selective synthesis of mono- and 1,3-diquinone calix[4]arenes having free hydroxyl groups at the lower rim, in fewer steps.     

Synthesis and Extractive Properties of Hexaphosphorylated Calix[6]arenes

A series of calix[6]arenes substituted with phosphoryl functional groups were prepared by the Arbuzov reaction of hexakis(chloromethyl)calix[6]arene hexamethyl ether with isopropyl esters of trivalent phosphorus acids, followed by appropriate chemical transformations. Molecular modeling and NMR data show that phosphorylated calix[6]arenes exist in the stereochemically labile 1,2-alternate conformation. The extractive power of these compounds with respect to americium and europium was studied. Due to the cooperative binding of the metal cation with phosphoryl groups, the phosphorylated calixarenes are more effective extractants than their acylcic analogs and commercial organophosphorus extractants.     

Separation of lanthanides and actinides using magnetic silica particles bearing covalently attached tetra-CMPO-calix[4]arenes

Calix[4]arene tetraethers in the cone conformation bearing four -NH-CO-CH2-P(O)Ph2 (= CMPO) residues on their wide rim and one, two or four omega-amino alkyl residues of various lengths at the narrow rim were synthesized. Reaction with dichlorotriazinyl (DCT) functionalized magnetic particles led to complete coverage of the available surface by covalently linked CMPO-calix[4]arenes in all cases. Magnetically assisted removal of Eu(iii) and Am(iii) from acidic solutions was distinctly more efficient with these particles in comparison to analogous particles bearing the same amount of analogous single-chain CMPO-functions. The best result, an increase of the extraction efficiency by a factor of 140-160, was obtained for attachment via two propyl spacers. The selectivity Am/Eu was in the range of 1.9-2.8. No decrease of the extraction ability was observed, when the particles were repeatedly used, after simple back extraction with water.     

Palladium(II) extraction by sulfur-containing calix[4,6]arenes from hydrochloric acid solutions

The comparison of the extraction properties of calixarenes, thiacalixarenes, and calix[4,6]arene thioethers showed that methyl(thiamethyl)calix[4,6]arenes 3a and 4a have the highest extraction abilities. These extractants rapidly and completely extract palladium from hydrochloric acid solutions; regarding distribution factors achieved in the kinetic mode, they three to four orders of magnitude exceed their monodentate analogue, octylbenzyl sulfide (OBnS). Approaches are considered to enhance palladium extraction via generating mixed palladium species in low-acidity solutions and via intramolecular catalysis by the protonated oxygen atoms of alkoxy groups in the lower rim. For 1 M HCl, the kinetic order of diluent effects on palladium extraction was established. The substitution of sulfur atoms for bridging CH₂ groups was discovered to enhance palladium extraction by calix[4]arene thioether 3c.     

Competitive solvent extraction of alkaline earth metals by ionizable nano-baskets of calixarene

The competitive solvent extraction of alkaline earth metals using different nano-baskets was investigated. The novelty of this work is to study the correlations between the isomer structure of calixarenes and their extraction properties. The objective was to quantify the effects of aryl groups in the ionisable pendant moieties, calixarene conformation, steric orientations (cis- and trans-) and relative positions (ortho- and para-) of pendant moieties upon the extraction efficiency, pH_1/2 and the selectivity of calix[4]arene complexes. Alkaline earth metals were extracted from aqueous solutions into chloroform by di-ionisable calix[4]arenes and were measured using ion chromatography. The results revealed that alternation of aryl group in the pendant moieties, changing their orientation from cis- to trans-analogues as well as from ortho- to para- analogues, showed no changes in the selectivity, the extraction efficiency and the pH_1/2 of calix[4]arene complexes. Changing the scaffold of calixarene's ring to the cone, 1,2-alternate and partial-cone conformers altered their complexation ability towards alkaline earth metals and their extraction efficiency.     

Synthesis of （p—Substituted phenyl）azo Calix[4] arenes

A novel method for the preparation of chromogenic calixarenes with azo groups was reported.p-Substituted(-NO2,-CH3,-Cl)amilines were diazotized with isoamyl nitrite in EtONa/EtOH under refluxing condition.Fifteen mono-,bis-,tris-and tetrakis(p-substituted phenyl)azo calix[4]arenes (including proximal and distal isomers) were obtainged respectively by diazo-coupling in different molar ratio to calix[4]arenes(1) under pH=7.5-9.0 in non-aqueous solution at 0-5℃.^1H NMR and ^13C NMR spectra of (p-substtituted phenyl)azo calix[4]-arenes indicated that they existed in cone conformation in solution.     

Unusual reactivity of upper-rim bridged calix[4]arenes – Friedel–Crafts alkylation via cleavage of the macrocyclic skeleton

Upper-rim bridged derivatives of calix[4]arenes, prepared by the direct introduction of mercury into the meta position of the basic skeleton followed by Pd-catalyzed intramolecular bridging, represent a novel type of calixarenes bearing an additional single bond between the meta positions of neighboring aromatic units. Due to the presence of this short bridge, these compounds exhibit extremely distorted cavities when compared with common calix[4]arenes. As a consequence of highly enhanced inner strain, the bridged compounds can be cleaved under acidic conditions to form open oligomeric species (benzylic type carbocation) that can be used for the Friedel–Crafts alkylation of aromatic compounds. This behavior, never observed in common calix[4]arenes, demonstrates a reasonably amended reactivity invoked by the additional bridge.     

Mercury(II) and silver(I) receptors based on tetrathiacalix[4]arene hydrazones

The extraction ability of phenyl hydrazone derivatives of cone- and 1,3-alternate tetrathiacalix[4]arenes towards to some alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions has been investigated by picrate extraction method. The synthesized cone-tetrathiacalix[4]arene hydrazones show a high efficiency coupled with an excellent selectivity towards for Ag⁺ and Hg²⁺ ions. The stoichiometry of complexes and the extraction constants have been determined. The influence of calix[4]arene platform’s structure and the electron donor substituents in phenyl fragments on the extraction efficiency has been discussed.     

Physicochemical Characterization of Hydrated 4-Sulphonato-Calix[n]arenes: Thermal,Structural, and Sorption Properties

In this study, the thermal behavior of three hydrated water-soluble 4-sulphonato calix[n]arenes was investigated. The melting points, heats of fusion, and heats of solution of the calix[4]arene, calix[6]arene and calix[8]arene were 277, 262, and 270°C; 192, 242 and 351 kJ/mol; and 30, 58 and 63 kJ/mol, respectively. Lower heat of fusion, smaller increase in entropy and smaller heat of solution of the calix[4]arene compared to the calix[6]arene and calix[8]arene showed that less heat was required to break up the crystal lattice of the smaller macromolecule. This apparent anomaly is rationalized in terms of smaller cooperativity of interaction between the molecules of calix[4]arene in the crystal lattice, although the strength of the individual interactions is stronger as evidenced by the higher melting point. TGA analysis indicated that about 17–20% of water was associated with the calix[n]arenes. Both TGA and hot stage microscopy results indicated that upon heating these molecules underwent stepwise water loss. TGA kinetics showed that the 4-sulphonato-calix[8]arene lost water easier than the other two calixarenes. The moisture adsorption behavior of all calixarenes followed type II isotherms. For the same amount of material, the calix[6]arene adsorbed more moisture than the calix[4]arene and the calix[8]arene. Moreover, dehydrated less crystalline 4-sulphonic-calix[n]arenes powders are hydroscopic.

     

Influence of Calixarenes on Chromatographic Separation of Benzene or Uracil Derivatives

The addition of calix[4]arenes to MeCN/H₂O or MeOH/MeCN/THF/H₂O mobile phases improves LC separation of benzene or uracil derivatives on Separon SGX C18 or Separon SGX NH₂ supports. Structure of the calixarenes and their host–guest supramolecular complexes with the analytes are discussed in context of the LC separation.     

Kinetics of americium and europium extraction by tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene from alkaline media

Kinetics of ¹⁵²Eu and ²⁴¹Am extraction by nitrogen-bearing alkyl amino phenol oligomer YaRB and tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene TCA from carbonate-alkaline media was studied. Both extractants efficiently extract americium and europium in pH interval 12–14. The maximum of americium extraction is located at the lower values of pH, compared with europium. YaRB extracts americium and europium faster than TCA, and at the same time, americium is extracted faster than europium by both extractants. In general, thiacalixarene TCA is regarded as more efficient extractant than alkyl amino phenol oligomer YaRB.

     

Stereochemical control of calixarenes useful as rigid and conformationally diversiform platforms for molecular design

Stereochemical problems and related functions of calix[4]arenes, calix[6]arenes and their chiral derivatives have been reviewed. In p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene (1H₄) and its mono-, di-, tri-, and tetra-O-alkyl derivatives (1H₃R, 1H₂R₂,1HR₃, and 1R₄, respectively), 23 different homologues can exist (including 1H₄). We found that the OH group in the unmodified phenol unit is permeable through the calix[4]arene ring. Thus, several conformational isomers become equivalent after the ‘oxygen-through-the-annulus’ rotation of the OH group and the number of possible homologues is reduced to 13 (including 1H₃). We report in this paper the syntheses of all of these possible conformational isomers using a protection-deprotection method with a benzyl group and metal template effects. On the other hand, all possible chiral isomers that can be derived from calix[4]arene by modification of the OH groups have been systematically classified. Molecular asymmetry can be generated not only by different substituents but also by conformational isomerism. The numbers of chiral isomers are 17 for tetra-O-substituted calix[4]arenes, 9 for tri-O-substituted calix[4]arenes, 3 for di-O-substituted calix[4]arenes, and 0 for mono-O-substituted calix[4]arenes. Chiral calix[4]arenes can also be designed by the introduction of a substituent into the m-position of a phenol unit or by the use of a dissymmetric ‘stapling reaction’ in proximal phenol units. In p-tert-butylcalix[6]arene, the conformational behaviour is totally different from that in p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene. A large degree of conformational freedom remains in the framework, and both ‘oxygen-through-the-annulus rotation’ and ‘para-substituent-through-the-annulus rotation’ can take place. However, when metal cations are bound to calix[6]aryl esters, the conformation is changed to a cone type. Bridging and capping are powerful methods to immobilize the conformation of calix[6]arenes. In addition, definitive evidence for ring immobilization was obtained from the absence of racemization in the chiral calix[6]arene. A successful example of chiral recognition for α-amino acid derivatives was achieved by using chiral homooxacalix[3]arene which has ‘pseudo C₂ symmetry’. These examples indicate that calixarenes serve as rigid and conformationally diversiform platforms for the design of novel functional supramolecules.     

Preorganized, cone-conformational calix[4]arene possessing four propylenephosphonic acids with high extraction ability and separation efficiency for trivalent rare earth elements

p-t-Octylcalix[4]arene with tetraphosphonic acid at lower rim in cone conformation has been designed and synthesized as a new extraction reagent to investigate the extraction behavior of the nine trivalent rare earth elements: La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Ho, Y, and Er. The extraction of rare earth metals with the present extractant occurs by a simple ion-exchange mechanism. The stoichiometry of the extractant to rare earth metal ion was determined to be 2:1 based on the extraction equation, half pH values, pH_1/2, and the difference in the values of the extraction equilibrium constants of nine trivalent rare earth elements and separation factors between adjacent rare earth elements. This allowed for comparison of the estimated extraction efficiency and selectivity. The present extractant exhibited extremely high extractability and sufficiently high separation efficiency of rare earth metals, compared with calix[4]arene tetraphosphonic acid at upper rim, calix[4]arene tetraacetic acid at lower rim as previously reported and the commercial extraction reagent. This results was attributed to size and multidentate effects based on the preorganized cyclic structure of calix[4]arene and to the original selectivity of functional group for heavier rare earth elements.     

A facial microwave-assisted synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and preliminary complexation studies of calix[4]pyrroles containing the hydroxamic-acid moiety

The synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and preliminary complexation properties of functionalized calix[4]pyrroles are described. To date, two generalized preparative approaches have been pursued (i) modifying the basic pyrrole-plus-ketone synthesis of calix[4]pyrrole by using microwave irradiation protocol, (ii) the basic meso-tetra(methyl) meso-tetra(p-nitrophenyl) calix[4]pyrrole skeleton was functionalized to give hydroxamic acids, especially in the meso-position of the macrocycles. The structures of novel calix[4]pyrrole hydroxamic acid derivatives were confirmed on the basis of various physico-chemical techniques such as elemental analysis, FT-IR, ¹H NMR and FAB-Mass. The results of preliminary studies on the extraction of vanadium (V) with the host calix[4]pyrrole hydroxamic acids were elucidated by significant examination of UV–Vis spectroscopy and ICP-AES. Single crystal structure of basic meso-tetra(methyl) meso-tetra (p-nitro phenyl) calix[4]pyrrole moiety has also been reported.