Electrochemical oxidation of a tetraester calix[4]arene

The electrochemical oxidation of tetraethyl ester p-tert-butyl calix[4]arene 1 was observed in acetonitrile solution at a platinum electrode, using either cyclic or square wave voltammetry. The oxidation occurred in a number of processes, with the lowest, process I at a peak potential of 1.10 V vs. Ferrocene, being the best defined response. This was attributed to the one-electron oxidation of the aryl ether functionality present in the calixarene and so should provide a route to the electrochemical detection of calixarenes in non-aqueous mixtures. The oxidation behaviour was dependent on the presence of alkali metal cations in solution. Shifts in the oxidation potentials observed were in good agreement with the order of selectivity for the alkali metal cations.     

Protein surface recognition of the novel tetra-carboxylphenyl calix[4]arene to cytochrome c

The interaction of the novel tetra-carboxylphenyl calix[4]arene （TCPC） with the bovine heart cytochrome c （Cc） was first investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy and molecular modeling methods. The formation of a stable 1：1 complex was monitored by fluorescence titration, and its binding constant is 1.916 ×10^7 L mol^-1. Molecular modeling reveals the recognition mechanism of TCPC to the Cc surface, that is, the electrostatic interaction drives TCPC to the Cc surface, and the van der Waals interaction orientates TCPC parallel to the cleft of Cc.     

Syntheses of a pillar[4]arene[1]quinone and a difunctionalized pillar[5]arene by partial oxidation

A pillar[4]arene[1]quinone and a difunctionalized pillar[5]arene have been synthesized by partial oxidation.     

Self-assembled monolayers of organosulphur molecules bearing calix[4]arene moieties

We investigate the self-assembly of modified calix[4]arene on gold surfaces. Calix[4]arene was modified through a reaction sequence which led to assembling of the crown-5 moiety and to the insertion of two thioether groups into the starting molecule. The so-obtained calix[4]arene-crown-5 bis(7-thiatridecyloxy) (hereafter called calix[4]arene) was in the stable 1,3-alternate conformation. The calix[4]arene/gold interface was investigated by means of spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE), scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). SE data indicate a layer thickness compatible with the formation of a monomolecular layer. This result is confirmed by STM imaging which shows the formation of a high density of small pits, one gold layer deep, a typical feature of self-assembled organosulphur monolayers on gold. CV measurements performed in presence of the [Ru(NH(3))(6)(2+/3+)] redox couple indicate a passivation of the metal electrode, resulting in a reduction of the redox current, after the layer deposition. CV has also been used to investigate the selectivity properties of calix[4]arene-covered gold electrodes by measuring the redox current decrease in the presence of different salt solutions. It is found that calix[4]arene-covered electrodes are able to complex K(+) and Ba(2+), while no complexation is observed in the case of Li(+), Na(+), Cs(+), Mg(2+) and Ca(2+).     

PEGylated calix[4]arene as a carrier for a Bodipy-based photosensitizer

Heavy atom substituted Bodipy compounds, unlike the parent chromophore, undergo rapid intersystem crossing to generate singlet oxygen, which is the primary cytotoxic agent exploited in PDT. In this work, we show that an organic soluble calix[4]arene can be functionalized by Knoevenagel reaction and then converted into an amphiphilic photosensitizer in a few steps. In addition to generating a potentially useful photosensitizer, the sequence of reactions is the first use of a Bodipy dye as a chromophoric/fluorogenic label without the typical reactive functional groups.     

Microwave-assisted synthesis of resorcin[4]arene and pyrogallol[4]arene macrocycles

A series of resorcin[4]arene and pyrogallol[4]arene macrocycles have been synthesized efficiently within 5 min, affording crystalline products suitable for single crystal X-ray diffraction, utilising microwave irradiation in a ‘one-pot’ reaction whilst controlling the selective formation of the rccc cone stereoisomer.     

Fluoride sensing with a PCT-based calix[4]arene

Novel calix[4]arene-based anion sensor 1 with two coumarin units attached via amido functions acting also as binding sites is presented. Complexation of F⁻ by PCT-based 1 causes selectively red-shift in UV-vis absorption and in fluorescence emission due to H-bonding followed by deprotonation of NH-amide groups.     

Nano-dimensions for the pyrogallol[4]arene cavity

The cup-like cavity of pyrogallol[4]arenes has been deepened by the addition of four hydrogen bonded bipyridine molecules to the upper-rim of the calixarene, enabling the extended cup-like molecules to stack inside one another and consequently trap and completely enshroud a single guest molecule within the 250 angstroms3 cavitand formed between two of these stacked "nano-cups".     

Oxovanadium(V) tetrathiacalix[4]arene complexes and their activity as oxidation catalysts

With the aim of modeling reactive moieties and relevant intermediates on the surfaces of vanadium oxide based catalysts during oxygenation/dehydrogenation of organic substrates, mono- and dinuclear vanadium oxo complexes of doubly deprotonated p-tert-butylated tetrathiacalix[4]arene (H4TC) have been synthesized and characterized: PPh4[(H2TC)VOCl(2)] (1) and (PPh4)2[{(H2TC)V(O)(mu-O)}2] (2). According to the NMR spectra of the dissolved complexes they both retain the structures adopted in the crystalline state, as revealed by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. Compounds 1 and 2 were tested as catalysts for the oxidation of alcohols with O(2) at 80 degrees C. Both 1 and 2 efficiently catalyze the oxidation of benzyl alcohol, crotyl alcohol, 1-phenyl-1-propanol, and fluorenol, and in most cases dinuclear complex 2 is more active than mononuclear complex 1. Moreover, the two thiacalixarene complexes 1 and 2 are in many instances more active than oxovanadium(V) complexes containing "classical" calixarene ligands tested previously. Complexes 1 and 2 also show significant activity in the oxidation of dihydroanthracene. Further investigations led to the conclusion that 1 acts as precatalyst that is converted to the active species PPh4[(TC)V==O] (3) at 80 degrees C by double intramolecular HCl elimination. For complex 2, the results of mechanistic investigations indicated that the oxidation chemistry takes place at the bridging oxo ligands and that the two vanadium centers cooperate during the process. The intermediate (PPh4)2[{H2TCV(O)}2(mu-OH)(mu-OC13H9)] (4) was isolated and characterized, also with respect to its reactivity, and the results afforded a mechanistic proposal for a reasonable catalytic cycle. The implications which these findings gathered in solution may have for oxidation mechanisms on the surfaces of V-based heterogeneous catalysts are discussed.     

Tetracyanoresorcin[4]arene as a pH dependent artificial acetylcholine receptor

This communication describes the facile synthesis of tetracyanoresorcin[4]arene and its high and pH dependent affinities toward biologically important acetylcholine in the physiological pH region.     

Stilbene-bridged tert-butylcalix[4]arene as photoswitchable molecular receptors

Using a designed control of conformations of tert-butylcalix[4]arene between cone and pinched cone, a highly selective receptor for small electron-deficient molecules with photoswitching binding ability was attained. [reaction: see text]     

Mechanism of hydrogen-bond array isomerization in tetrahydroxycalix[4]arene and tetrahydroxythiacalix[4]arene

Possible rearrangement mechanisms of hydrogen-bond arrays formed at the lower rim of tetrahydroxycalix[4]arene and tetrahydroxythiacalix[4]arene were studied by means of density functional theory and the resolution identity approximation modification of M?ller-Plesset perturbation theory (RI-MP2). Influence of solvent to height of energy barriers was quantified by use of the conductorlike screening model (COSMO) of implicit solvent (chloroform). Generally, two types of mechanisms were investigated. The first is represented by a synchronous single-step jump of all four hydroxyl protons. Pathways of the second mechanism include the rotation of one or more hydroxyl groups around the CAr-O bond. Theoretical results, in agreement with recently published experimental data (Lang et al. J. Chem. Phys. 2005, 122, 044056), prefer a jump mechanism for the methylene-bridged calix[4]arene. Concerning the thiacalix[4]arene, results obtained by COSMO as well as RI-MP2 calculations show that the rotational mechanism is very competitive and it could even be more favorable.     

一种新型杯[4]芳烃的合成

本文通过对特丁基杯[4]芳烃的酚羟基烷基化和苯环特丁基位上的IPSO-硝化制备了一系列对硝基杯[4]芳烃烷基醚,烷基分别是n-C~4H~9(3a)、n-C~8H~1~7(3b)、n-C~1~2H~2~5(3c)和n-C~1~6H~3~3(3d)。^1HNMR表明所有新的杯[4]芳烃都具有锥形(cone)构象。     

Synthesis of a deep-cavity thiacalix[4]arene

A novel thiacalix[4]arene derivative bearing four phenyl groups on the upper rim was prepared by the direct condensation of biphenyl-4-ol with elemental sulphur. As revealed by X-ray diffraction analysis, this compound adopts the cone conformation in the solid state, thus creating a cavity with an extended π-aromatic system potentially applicable for solid-state inclusion of suitable molecules. Subsequent alkylation (RI/K₂CO₃/acetone, R=Me, Et, Pr) yielded tetraalkylated derivatives, which were studied for their conformational preferences using ¹H NMR spectroscopy. While the Me or Et derivatives are conformationally mobile and exhibit thermodynamic equilibria of several conformers in solution (CDCl₃ or CD₂Cl₂), the corresponding propoxy derivative is infinitely stable at room temperature.     

Selective hetero-trisfunctionalization of the large rim of a biomimetic calix[6]arene using host-guest chemistry as a synthetic tool

A calix[6]arene has been selectively functionalized by three different groups at the large rim. The strategy relies on the hostguest recognition chemistry of a biomimetic metal complex at the small rim (so-called "funnel complex") and the Huisgen cycloaddition. The intramolecular thermal reaction proceeds with a high efficiency, chemio- and regioselectivity, allowing the monofunctionalization of one aromatic unit among three. Thanks to the high yield and selectivity of the reaction, it can be applied successively twice on the same compound, which opens the route for inherently chiral calix[6]arenes. This methodology not only is of wide potential for obtaining and exploiting calix[6]arenes that are dissymmetrized at the large rim, but also stands as an exemplary strategy for the selective appending of a functional group on a host platform.     

Ni4-thiacalix[4]arene sandwiched Mo8 polyoxometalate bimetallic nanoclusters for electrocatalytic glucose oxidation

Available online two new Ni₈Mo₈ bimetallic coordination clusters, [Ni₄(TC4A)]₂[(Mo₅^VMo₃^VIO₂₄)(PO₄)] (+Solvent) (Ni₈PMo₈, H₄TC4A= p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene) and [Ni₄(TC4A)]₂[(Mo₅^VMo₃^VIO₂₄)(OH)(CO₃)] (+Solvent) (Ni₈Mo₈), were synthesized by solvothermal method and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, powder X-ray diffraction, FT-IR spectroscopy, and TGA experiments, respectively. The usage of H₃PMo₁₂O₄₀ as source for Ni₈PMo₈ resulted a sandwich like structure built from two Ni₄-thiacalix[4]arene units and a Mo₈ polyoxometalate with inner spaces of PO₄^3?. Ni₈Mo₈ with the similar structure to that of Ni₈PMo₈ is from H₂MoO₄ starting reagent with OH^? and CO₃^2? anions encapsulated in the center. The two clusters can be directly loaded on carbon paper and utilized as working electrodes which showed distinguishable performances for glucose detection and oxidation. This work provides a better understanding of the structure–property relationships in using substituted polyoxometalates for electrochemical applications and is helpful for building calixarene-based or polyoxometalate-based functional materials.     

A phenanthrene-based calix[4]arene as a fluorescent sensor for Cu and F

A new phenanthrene-based fluorescent calix[4]arene (4) has been synthesized in cone conformation. This compound was examined for its fluorescent properties towards different metal ions (Na⁺, Li⁺, Mg²⁺, Ni²⁺, Ba²⁺, Ca²⁺, Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺) and anions (F⁻, Cl⁻, Br⁻, H₂₄PO⁻,${{\text{H}}_2{\text{PO}}_4}^{-}\text{,}$₃NO⁻,${{\text{NO}}_3}^{-}\text{,}$₄HSO⁻,${{\text{HSO}}_4}^{-}\text{,}$ CH₃COO⁻) by fluorescence spectroscopy. The properties of the compound were evaluated and show that it is a fluorescence sensor for Cu²⁺ and F⁻. With the addition of Cu²⁺ and F⁻, the fluorescence was severely quenched.     

Unexplored metallic cation effect in the acidity constants of p-t-butylthiacalix[4]arene,p-t-butylcalix[4]arene and p-t-butylcalix[6]arene in aqueous-organic media

The influence of the metallic cation of the base (Li⁺, Na⁺ or K⁺) was determined on the acid–base constants of p-t-butylthiacalix[4]arene (TC4), p-t-butylcalix[4]arene (CA4) and p-t-butylcalix[6]arene (CA6) in ethanol/water in an large interval of pH values by potentiometry and spectrophotometry. The pK_a values determined by both methods correlate very well and these are characteristic for each macrocycle with influence of the cation of the base without a straight evidence of an effect by the size of the metallic cation. In the case of TC4, pK_a1 and pK_a2 were lower to Li⁺ and Na⁺ than with K⁺. For CA4, an effect of K⁺ on the pK_a2 with respect to Li⁺ was observed. A very different behaviour was observed for CA6 with Li⁺ and K⁺ showing a lower pK_a2 and a higher pK_a3 than with Na⁺. These effects were interpreted on the basis of the interaction/complexation of each cation with each macrocycle.     

Band intensity in the IR spectra and conformations of calix[4]arene and thiacalix[4]arene

The experimental IR and Far IR spectra of the calix[4]arene, p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene, thialcalix[4]arene and p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene were examined at different temperatures and interpreted. The band frequencies and intensities in the IR spectra of the calix[4]arene and thialcalix[4]arene were calculated. The absorption curves of the four possible calix[4]arene conformations: cone, partial cone, 1,2- and 1,3-alternate were computed. The bands characteristic for each conformation are defined and assigned. The obtained spectra-structure correlation can be used for the characteristic of calixarenes conformation.