Regulation of metal ion recognition by allosteric effects in thiacalix[4]crown based receptors

Three new ditopic receptors 3a-c based on thiacalix[4]arene of 1,3 alternate conformation possessing two different complexation sites have been designed and synthesized for both soft and hard metal ions. The imino nitrogens bind soft metal ion (Ag⁺/Pb²⁺/Cu²⁺) and the crown moiety binds K⁺ ion. The preliminary investigations show that 3a-c behave as ditopic receptors for Ag⁺/K⁺, Pb²⁺/K⁺, and Cu²⁺/K⁺ ions, respectively. In all the three receptors it was observed that the formation of 3a·Ag⁺/3b·Pb²⁺/3c·Cu²⁺ complex triggers the decomplexation of K⁺ ion from crown moiety and acts as a gateway, which regulates the binding of alkali metal to crown moiety. Thus, allosteric binding between metal ions ‘switch off’ the recognition ability of crown ether ring.     

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 characterization of three novel azocalix[4]arene Schiff base derivatives and their selective copper extraction

The synthesis and characterization of three novel Schiff bases of azocalix[4]arene and their selective copper extraction are described. The preparation of azocalix[4]arenes (1c, 2c and 3c) has been achieved by the condensation of 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde with the amine group of upper rim mono-, di- and tetra-(aminophenylazo) calix[4]arene in ethanol. The synthesized products (1c, 2c and 3c) are characterized by both ¹H and ¹³C NMR techniques, IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Extraction capabilities of interested derivatives of azocalix[4]arene from aqueous phase into organic phase are also examined. While extraction of Ag⁺, Hg⁺ and Hg²⁺ cations gave strong complexes with azo groups, extraction of Cu²⁺ cation is found to be highly effective with ?CCH=N?C and neighboring ?COH groups.     

Syntheses, spectroscopic characterization and metal ion binding properties of benzo-15-crown-5 derivatives and their sodium and nickel(II) complexes

New benzo-15-crown-5 derivatives containing nitro, amine and imine groups were prepared. Nitro compound (1) was prepared after the reaction?4′,5′-bis(bromethyl)benzo-15-crown-5 and o-nitrophenol in the presence of NaOH. After reduction process by using hydrazine hydrate and Pd/C amine compound (2) was formed. New crown ether imine compounds (3–5) were synthesized by the condensation of corresponding crown ether diamine (2) with salicylaldehyde derivatives. Sodium complexes of the crown compounds (1a–5a) form crystalline 1:1 (Na⁺: ligand) complexes with sodium perchlorate. Nickel(II) complexes (3b–5b) with 1:1 (Ni²⁺:ligand) stoichiometries were also been synthesized from the Schiff bases (3–5). The results indicated that the Schiff base ligands coordinated through the azomethine nitrogen and phenolic oxygen. The extraction ability of compounds (1, 3, 4 and 5) were also evaluated in chloroform by using several alkali and transition metal picrates such as Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Cr³⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Pb²⁺.     

Three different fluorescent responses to transition metal ions using receptors based on 1,2-bis- and 1,2,4,5-tetrakis-(8-hydroxyquinolinoxymethyl)benzene

The dipod 1,2-bis(8-hydroxyquinolinoxymethyl)benzene (3) and tetrapod 1,2,4,5-tetrakis(8-hydroxyquinolinoxymethyl)benzene (5) have been synthesized through nucleophilic substitution of respective 1,2-bis(bromomethyl)benzene (2) and 1,2,4,5-tetra(bromomethyl)benzene (4) with 8-hydroxyquinoline (1). For comparison, 1,3,5-tris(8-hydroxyquinolinoxymethyl)benzene derivatives (7a and 7b) have been obtained. The complexation behavior of these podands towards Ag⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Cd²⁺ metal ions has been investigated in acetonitrile by fluorescence spectroscopy. The sterically crowded 1,2,4,5-tetrapod 5 displays unique fluorescence ‘ON-OFF-ON’ switching through fluorescence quenching (λ_max 395 nm, switch OFF) with <1.0 equiv of Ag⁺ and fluorescence enhancement (λ_max 495 nm, switch ON) with >3 equiv Ag⁺ and can be used for estimation of two different concentrations of Ag⁺ at two different wavelengths. The addition of Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Co²⁺ metal ions to tetrapod 5 causes fluorescence quenching, i.e., ‘ON-OFF’ phenomena at λ_max 395 nm for <10 μM (1 equiv) of these ions but addition of Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺ to tetrapod 5 results in fluorescence enhancement with a gradual shift of λ_em from 395 to 432 and 418 nm, respectively. Similarly, dipod 3 behaves as an ‘ON-OFF-ON’ switch with Ag⁺, an ‘ON-OFF’ switch with Cu²⁺, and an ‘OFF-ON’ switch with Zn²⁺. The placement of quinolinoxymethyl groups at the 1,3,5-positions of benzene ring in tripod 7a-b leads to simultaneous fluorescence quenching at λ_max 380 nm and enhancement at λ_max 490 nm with both Ag⁺ and Cu²⁺. This behavior is in parallel with 8-methoxyquinoline 8. The rationalization of these results in terms of metal ion coordination and protonation of podands shows that 1,2 placement of quinoline units in tetrapod 5 and dipod 3 causes three different fluorescent responses, i.e., ‘ON-OFF-ON’, ‘ON-OFF’, and ‘OFF-ON’ due to metal ion coordination of different transition metal ions and 1, 3, and 5 placement of three quinolines in tripod 7, the protonation of quinolines is preferred over metal ion coordination. In general, the greater number of quinoline units coordinated per metal ion in 5 compared with the other podands points to organization of the four quinoline moieties around metal ions in the case of 5.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel calix[4]arene piperazine derivative for the extraction of transition metals and dichromate ions

This article displays the synthesis of N-(2-tosylato)ethylpiperazine (ii) and 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25,27-bis-(2-piprazinoethyl)-26,28-dihydroxycalix[4]arene (3). Compounds (ii) and 3 were characterized through elemental analysis, FT-IR, ¹H NMR and/or ¹³C NMR studies. The transition metal cations (Hg²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Cd²⁺) and dichromate anion were studied by liquid–liquid extraction experiment. The results showed that compound 3 has moderate but selective extraction ability for Hg²⁺ and dichromate anion. Comparison between extraction properties of compound 3 with previously reported 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25,27-bis(isoniazidylcarbonylmethoxy)-26,28-dihydroxy-calix[4]arene (4) and protonated pyridinium form of 4 (5) is also described.     

Synthesis, 1H-NMR conformational analysis and complexation studies of two di-imidazolyl acetamido p-tert-butylcalix[4]arenes

The synthesis of a new di-imidazolyl-di-methoxy acetamido p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene 4 is reported. 4 has been prepared by reacting the corresponding di-methyl ester di-methoxy derivative with histamine in 1:1 mixture of methanol: toluene. The binding properties of 4 towards alkali, alkaline earth, transition (Zn²⁺, Co²⁺) and heavy (Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺) metals have been investigated along with the complexes stoichiometries. The ¹H-NMR spectra of complexes show the location of cations in receptor 4. Partial cone conformation is observed only with strontium and calcium whereas the cone conformation is detected with most of the cations. Comparison of the complexation results with those obtained for di-imidazolyl acetamido p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene 3 missing the methyl groups is also reported.     

A convenient synthesis of new thiaazacrown ethers and study of their complexation reactions with some transition metal cations in binary acetonitrile–chloroform mixture using the conductometric method

Three novel thiaazacrown ethers 1, 2 and 3 were synthesized in a simple way and in high yield. The complex formation between Ag⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺, Hg²⁺ and Cd²⁺ metal cations with thiaazacrown ethers 1, 2 and 3 have been studied in acetonitrile:chloroform (1:1) binary solvent system using conductometric technique. The conductance data show that the stochiometry of the complexes with Ag⁺, Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ cations is 1:1 (L:M), but in the case of Pb²⁺ and Hg²⁺ cations, a 1:2 (L:M) complex is formed in solutions. The formation constants of the resulting 1:1 complexes were determined from the molar conductance-mole ratio data at 25 °C. It was found that the stability constants of 1-Ag²⁺, 2-Ag⁺ and 3-Ag⁺ complexes are higher than those of their corresponding Zn²⁺ and Cu²⁺ complexes and found to vary in order 3 > 1 > 2 for Ag⁺.     

Click synthesis of triazole-linked calix[4]arene ionophores. Potentiometric and ESI-MS screening of ion-selectivity

A series of 1,2,3-triazole-linked calix[4]arene ionophores comprised of different O-donor groups (OH, COOEt, CONEt₂) attached either to the lower rim of calix or to the triazole moieties were synthesized to explore their ion-selectivity for the first time in potentiometric transduction. Plasticized PVC membrane electrodes (ISEs) were fabricated, and their potentiometric selectivities were measured toward a series of mono- and divalent metal ions. Structure-ion-selectivity relationship and the structural requirements of the coordination sphere for selective binding were established. ISEs made of calix[4]arene-bis-triazoles were found generally to exhibit distinct Ag⁺ selectivity in the order 3 ≈ 4 > 2 > 1, indicating the beneficial effect of the carboxamide or ester groups in the complexing site. In contrast, calix[4]arene-tetratriazole 5 comprised only sp ² N-donor atoms displayed excellent Cu²⁺ selectivity over a series of alkali-, alkaline earth- and transition metal ions. A unique feature of the outstanding Ag⁺ selective electrodes made of 3 and 4 was recognized and suggested their potential application as Na⁺ ISEs in systems not containing silver ions. Further, the potential use of competitive ESI-MS experiments for screening the binding affinities of ionophores 3–6 to different metal ions was also demonstrated.     

Crescent aromatic oligothioamides as highly selective receptors for copper(Ⅱ) ion

A series of crescent aromatic oligothioamides(4, 6, 8, 15, and 18) bearing different number of sulfur atoms were designed and synthesized via thionation of their corresponding aromatic oligoamides(3, 5, and 7) using Lawesson's reagent. The X-ray structure of a trimeric analogue(13) revealed the presence of intramolecular three-center hydrogen bonds that are responsible for the rigidification of the molecular backbone. The extraction by these novel receptors toward some representative heavy metal cations(Zn2+, Cd2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Pb2+, and Cu2+) and alkali and alkaline earth metal cations(Li+, Na+, K+, Rb+, Cs+, Ca2+, and Sr2+) demonstrated high efficiency(83.5%–96.4%) and superior selectivity for Cu2+ over other selected metal cations. Particularly, the extractability was correlated to both the number of sulfur atoms and orientation of thiocarbonyl groups as revealed in the order: 6 4 18 15. This is in stark contrast to the oligoamides that only gave much lower extractability(5.9%–16.4%), suggestive of the importance of replacement of carbonyl oxygen atoms with sulfur atoms in the extraction of Cu2+. The complexation behavior of 4, 6, and 8 with Cu2+ was also examined by UV-Vis and NMR techniques.     

Synthesis of calix[4]arene(amido)monocrowns and their photoresponsive derivatives

A series of new calix[4]arene(amido)mono-crown compounds have been synthesized through aminolysis of calix[4]arene esters and intramolecular cyclization of the intermediates. The title compounds were converted into their nitro and azo substituted derivatives to provide novel photoresponsive molecular receptors for transition metal ions. Single crystal X-ray analysis of calix[4]arene(ethyleneamido)mono-crown (2a) revealed that the compound is present in a cone conformation with an amido loop that caps the lower rim of calix[4]arene cavity to result in stacking along axis a and axis c to provide supramolecular aggregates in the solid state. Evaluation of synthesized macrocycles in the solution phase for recognition of transition metal cations (Cr³⁺, Fe²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ag⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, Hg⁺, Hg²⁺, Pd²⁺, and Pt²⁺) by UV-visible spectroscopy revealed that p-tert-butyl-calix[4]arene mono-(amidocrown) 1c selectively shows a blue shift at 38 nm on interaction with Hg⁺ ions.     

Synthese,Kristallstruktur und Konformation vontrans-[2.2](1,2)Ferrocenophan und seinen 1-Hydroxyderivaten

Starting from1-(dimethylaminomethyl)-2-iodo-ferrocene (3) [2.2](1,2)ferrocenophane (2) was prepared in an 8-step synthesis with 17% overall yield. Both from the oxoderivative12 and the ferrocenophane2 puretrans-isomers (12b and2b, resp.) were obtained; the former (12b) was reduced to a separable mixture ofexo andendo 1-hydroxy-ferrocenophanes13a andb, resp. (～ 3:7), the configurations of which were assigned by the LIS-method. X-ray crystal structure analysis of2b revealed a centrosymmetrical chair conformation. From¹H- and¹³C-NMR spectra both for2b and for the hydroxyderivatives13 a rigidexo-exo chair conformation was deduced.     

Synthesis and metal extraction studies of a novel chromogenic 5,17-bisazocalix[4]arenes

Three novel chromogenic cone azocalix[4]arenes 5a–c, which have cavity and the azo groups as metal-binding sites and as coloration sites were synthesized. They were studied by the liquid–liquid extraction of selected metal cations (Sr²⁺, Ag⁺, Hg⁺, Hg²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cr³⁺, Al³⁺). Through examination of the extraction, a novel selectivity of these compounds toward Hg²⁺ cations has been determined. Besides, it has been also found that azocalix[4]arene 5c is highly sensitive to acid–base titration, which can be detected by the naked eye.     

Thiourea based conjugated polymer fluorescent chemosensor for Cu+ and its use for the detection of hydrogen peroxide and glucose

A novel conjugated polymer, poly(1), containing thiourea moieties in main chain is synthesized via Suzuki coupling reaction. The addition of cuprous ion quenches the fluorescence of poly(1), whereas the fluorescence changes slightly upon addition of other metal ions, exhibiting the fluorescent almost turn-off sensing ability towards Cu⁺. When hydrogen peroxide was added to the solution containing poly(1) and Cu⁺, Cu⁺ was oxidized into Cu²⁺, resulting in the fluorescence recovery. The H₂O₂ released from glucose oxidation by glucose oxidase (GOD) also recovered the fluorescence of poly(1)/Cu⁺ solution. The results indicated that the poly(1)/Cu⁺ solution could serve as a sensing platform for hydrogen peroxide and glucose.     

Lower rim substituted p-tert-butyl calix[4]arene; Part 14. Synthesis, structures and binding studies of calix[4]arene thioamides

A number of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene thioamides were synthesized and characterized by ¹H-NMR and elemental analysis. Compounds 1–5 are O-substituted derivatives with –CH₂–C(=S)–N–X groups, where NX = morpholidyl, NEt₂, NHC₂H₄Ph, NHCH₂Ph and NHEt, respectively. The X-ray structures of the ligands 1, 3, 5 and of the complex 3·Pb(ClO₄)₂, (compound 6), are presented and their slightly distorted cone conformation is established. The influence of the nature of the thioamide functions (secondary or tertiary) on the extractability of some selected metal cations was investigated. Whereas all these calixarenes show the highest extraction level for Ag⁺, tertiary thioamides are more efficient extractants for Pb²⁺ than secondary thioamides.     

A highly selective turn-on fluorescent chemosensor for copper(II) ion

A new pyrene derivative (1) containing a diaminomaleonitrile moiety exhibits high selectivity for Cu²⁺ detection. Significant fluorescence enhancement was observed with chemosensor 1 in the presence of Cu²⁺. However, the metal ions Ag⁺, Ca²⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Hg²⁺, Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Zn²⁺ produced only minor changes in fluorescence values for the system. The apparent association constant (K_a) of Cu²⁺ binding in chemosensor 1 was found to be 5.55×10³ M⁻¹. The maximum fluorescence enhancement caused by Cu²⁺ binding in chemosensor 1 was observed over the pH range 5-7.5.     

Aminopyridyl derivative of thiacalix[4]arene-carboxylic acid as ionizable highly selective Ag+ ionophore

A novel mono-ionizable receptor 2 possessing three aminopyridyl and one carboxylic group in 1,3-alternate conformation based on thiacalix[4]arene, confirmed by single crystal X-ray analysis, was prepared. For competitive solvent extraction of alkali metal (Na⁺, K⁺ and Cs⁺) and some transition metal (Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, TI⁺, Ag⁺) cations from aqueous solutions into chloroform, it was found that the introduction of proton-ionizable group (carboxylic acid moiety) into the aminopyridyl-thiacalix[4]arene derivative could further improve its Ag⁺ extractability with high selectivity.     

Crown-containing styryl dyes

Complexation of styryl dyes containing theN-phenylaza-15-crown-5 fragment (trans-2a,b) with Ca²⁺ ions in MeCN was studied. Unlike cationic dyetrans-2a, betainetrans-2b forms both complexes of 1∶1 stoichiometry and aggregates consisting of four dye molecules and one Ca²⁺ ion. Cation-induced aggregation was observed also for the analog of dyetrans-2b, which contains a dimethylamino group instead of an azacrown ether fragment (trans-3). Apparently, the interaction between a metal cation and sulfo groups of moleculestrans-2b ortrans-3 makes the main contribution to the stability of aggregates. The dependence of the stability of aggregates on the nature of the metal cation was studied.     

Copper(I) halide complexes with ethylenediaminium L0(H+)2, N,N,N′,N′-tetraallylethylenediaminium L4(H+)2, and N,N,N,N′,N′-pentaallylethylenediaminium L5(H+). Synthesis and crystal structures of the complexes [L0(H+)2]0.5CuCl2, [L0(H+)2]0.5CuBr1.67Cl0.33, [{L4(H+)2}0.5Cu2Cl3], and [L5(H+)Cu4Br6]

Alkylation of ethylenediamine with allyl bromide in the presence of NaHCO₃ in benzene-ethanol and acetone-ethanol gave N,N,N′,N′-tetraallylethylenediamine L⁴ and N,N,N,N′,N′-pentaallylethylenediaminium bromide (L₅(H⁺)Br₂), respectively. The ac electrochemical synthesis at copper wire electrodes in solutions of copper(II) halide and an appropriate ligand yielded single crystals of Cu(I) complexes with ethylenediaminium ([L⁰(H⁺)₂]_0.5CuCl₂ (I) and [L⁰(H⁺)₂]_0.5CuBr_1.67Cl_0.33 (II)) and its N-allyl derivatives N,N,N′,N′-tetraallylethylenediaminium ([{L⁴(H⁺)₂}_0.5Cu₂Cl₃] (III)) and N,N,N,N′,N′-pentaallylethylenediaminium ([L⁵(H⁺)Cu₄Br₆] (IV)). The crystal structures of complexes I–IV were determined by X-ray diffraction. The isostructural crystals of complexes I and II are triclinic, space group P $ \bar 1 $ , Z = 2. For I: a = 5.936(3), b = 6.387(3), c = 7.126(4) Å, α = 67.82(4)°, β = 72.98(4)°, γ = 67.55(4)°, V = 227.7(2) ų. For II a = 6.110(3), b = 6.657(3), c = 7.309(3) Å, α = 68.40(3)°, β = 72.38(3)°, γ = 67.23(3)°, V = 250.4(2) ų. In structures I and II, the organic cations are between infinite anionic chains (Cu ₂ ^? ) _n . The crystals of π-complex III are triclinic, space group P $ \bar 1 $ , a = 6.851(4), b = 8.729(4), c = 9.960(4) Å, α = 98.25(3)°, β = 102.29(3)°, γ = 107.30(3)°, V = 541.8(5) ų, Z = 2. In structure III, all the four allyl groups are π-coordinated by the metal atoms of four discrete anions Cu₄Cl ₆ ^2? . The crystals of π-complex IV are monoclinic, space group C2/c, a = 15.228(5), b = 17.095(6), c = 20.182(6) Å, β = 92.43(4)°, V = 5249(3) ų, Z = 8. Only two of five allyl groups at the same N atom are coordinated by copper(I) atoms. Structure IV contains a complex inorganic fragment of the formula (Cu₄Br ₆ ^2? ) _n .     

Photochemical arene exchange in the iron dicarbollide complex [(η-9-SMe2-7,8-C2B9H10)Fe(η-C6H6)]+

Visible light irradiation of the dicarbollide complex [(η-9-SMe₂-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₀)Fe(η-C₆H₆)]⁺ (2a) in the presence of the benzene derivatives in CH₂Cl₂/MeNO₂ resulted in cations [(η-9-SMe₂-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₀)Fe(η-C₆R₆)]⁺ (2b-g; arene is anisole (b), toluene (c), m-xylene (d), mesitylene (e), durene (f), and hexamethylbenzene (g)) due to the arene exchange. The structures of [2g]PF₆ and related tricarbollide complex [(η-1-Bu^tNH-1,7,9-C₃B₈H₁₀)Fe-(η-C₆H₆)]PF₆ (1) were confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. The nature of bonding in cations 1, 2a, and [CpFe(η-C₆H₆)]⁺ was analyzed by an energy decomposition analysis.