Comparative study of calix[4]arene derivatives: implications for ligand design

The first comparative theoretical study of three parent calix[4]arene analogues (calix[4]arene, thiacalix[4]arene, and homooxacalix[4]arene) has been performed using molecular dynamic simulations and density functional theory (MPWB1K/6-311G^∗∗//B3LYP/6-311G^∗∗) methods. The theoretical observations herein including optimized geometry, polarity, and atomic charge data provide that homooxacalix[4]arene would offer more efficient platform for metal ion recognition compared to thiacalix[4]arene or calix[4]arene.     

Calix[4]quinones. Part 4: The ClO2 oxidation of calix[4]arene dialkyl ethers

Except for the special case of calix[4]arene diethyl ether 1, the chlorine dioxide oxidation of dialkyl ethers 2-5 yielded only the corresponding calix[4]diquinone dialkyl ethers 8-11. Chlorine dioxide oxidation of calix[4]arene diethyl ether 1 produced two isomeric products 6 and 7, which were stable enough to be isolated by column chromatography. However, a slow conformational interconversion between isomeric pair 6 and 7 was observed at room temperature, and the equilibrium was reached after 400 h at 18 °C with an amount of 5:3 in favor of syn-isomer.     

Dendritic octa-CMPO derivatives of calix[4]arenes

Calix[4]arenes substituted at the narrow or wide rim by eight carbamoylmethyl-phosphine oxide (CMPO) functions in a dendritic manner were synthesised and studied in extraction of Eu³⁺ and Am³⁺ from aqueous nitric acid into o-nitrophenylhexyl ether. ¹H NMR relaxivity titrations for a wide rim octa-CMPO reveal the clear formation of a solvent-free 1:2 ligand/metal complex, while the wide rim tetra-CMPO formed oligomeric complexes under similar conditions.     

Chlorination of Calix[4]arene Derivatives

New convenient method for synthesis of p-chlorinated calix[4]arenes is reported. The sulfuryl chloride was used for chlorination of unsubstituted at the lower rim calix[4]arenes. The products of this reaction were very suitable for further O-alkylation.     

Functionalized thiacalix- and calix[4]arene-based Ag ionophores: synthesis and comparative NMR study

Thiacalix[4]arene ionophores comprised of cyclic or linear O,S,N ligating and/or π-coordinate groups on the lower rim were synthesized and their Ag⁺ binding was studied by ¹H NMR methods in comparison with the respective known and novel calix[4]arene counterparts. Calix[4](O,S,N)crowns were found stronger binders than the π-coordinate molecules and thiacalixarene ionophores were generally superior to calixarenes. This study helped to develop silver ion-selective electrodes working in the subnanomolar region.     

Potentiometric sensors based on poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) doped with sulfonated calix[4]arene and calix[4]resorcarenes

Potentiometric ion sensors have been prepared by galvanostatic electrosynthesis of the conducting polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) doped with p-sulfonated calix[4]arene (C[4]S) and p-methylsulfonated calix[4]resorcarenes (R_n[4]S) with alkyl substituents of different chain length (R₁=CH₃; R₂=C₂H₅; R₃=C₆H₁₃). The bowl-shape of these doping ions makes them suitable as ionic recognition sites, and their bulky character is expected to prevent them from leaching out of the conducting polymer membrane. For comparison, sensors based on PEDOT doped with poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS) and poly(vinyl sulfonate) (PVS) were also constructed. The resulting GC/PEDOT electrodes were conditioned in 0.01 mol L^–1 AgNO₃ and their performance as Ag⁺ ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) studied. Results reveal that selectivity and lifetime of the electrodes is affected by the doping anion structure, although all electrodes show selectivity towards Ag⁺ ions. Interaction of Ag⁺ with sulfur atoms present in the conducting polymer backbone is considered to be the main reason for this behavior. A second set of electrodes was constructed and conditioned in 0.1 mol L^–1 KCl. These electrodes were tested in chloride solutions of quaternary ammonium cations, showing that C[4]S and R₂[4]S exhibit significant sensitivity towards pyridinium.Dedicated to Professor György Horányi on the occasion of his 70th birthday in recognition of his outstanding contributions to electrochemistry     

Synthesis and fluorescence sensing properties of novel pyrene-armed calix[4]arene derivatives

Fluorogenic tert-butylcalix[4]arenes bearing two pyrene pendant groups at the lower rim were synthesized. Based on ratiometric changes of monomer and excimer emissions, the pyrene amine derivative of calix[4]arene has been found to act as a selective sensor for Pb²⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions, respectively, due to a conformational change upon chelation of these ions.     

Synthesis and self-assembly of novel calix[4]arenocrowns: formation of calix[4]areno[2]catenanes

A series of novel calix[4]arenocrowns 1a-c were efficiently synthesized by a one-pot reaction of calix[4]monohydroquinone diacetate 5 with ditosylate 6 and its analogues in the presence of sodium hydroxide. It was found that the calix[4]arenocrowns could form stable pseudorotaxane-type complexes 2a-c with paraquat, and further self-assemble into calix[4]areno[2]catenanes 3a-c with dicationic salt 8 and p-bis(bromomethyl)benzene.     

Theoretical study on the structure and conformational features of distally dibromo-dipropoxythiacalix[4]arene derivatives and their Zn<Superscript>2+</Superscript> complexes

A comparative DFT study of distally dibromo-dipropoxythiacalix[4]arene and dipropoxythiacalix[4]arene was performed. The hydrogen bonds OH O at the lower rim play an important role in stabilizing all the conformers, and cone is predicted to be the most stable. The structure and energetic ordering of the conformers are not affected by the bromination at upper rim. The inclusion of the solvent effect keeps the energetic orderings unchanged, but leads to a reduction in the energy gaps between conformers. Concerning the 1:1 neutral Zn²⁺ complexes, only one binding mode was found which presented the metal ion coordinated to four oxygen atoms at lower rim. This is in good agreement with our previous study on the Zn²⁺ complex with thiacalix[4]arene carrying opposite phenolate groups. The results thus support the idea that the position of the phenolate groups at lower rim is crucial to define the structural binding mode pattern of metal complexes.     

Head-to-tail connected double calix[4]arenes

Summary New macrotricyclic compounds consisting of two calix[4]arene substructures connected by aliphatic chains of various length (three to five carbon atoms) between two oppositep-positions and two distal phenolic oxygens have been synthesized. Starting withp-tert-butyl-calix[4]arene, two O-protected phenolic units are attachedvia ether links in 1,3-position by reaction with the corresponding tosylates. After deprotection, the new calix[4]arene is formed by fragment condensation with 2,6-bisbromomethylated 4-alkylphenols. The structure of one example (8c) has been confirmed by single crystal X-ray analysis. Both calixarene parts assume the cone conformation, a molecule of acetonitrile being included in both cavities.

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Doppelte Calix[4]arene in Kopf-Schwanz-Verknüpfung

Zusammenfassung Neue makrotricyclische Verbindungen, in denen zwei Calix[4]aren-Einheiten durch aliphatische Ketten unterschiedlicher Länge (drei bis fünf C-Atome) zwischen zwei gegenüberliegendenp-Positionen und zwei gegenüberliegenden Phenolsauerstoffen verknüpft sind, wurden hergestellt. Ausgehend vonp-tert-Butyl-calix[4]aren werden zunächst zwei O-geschützte Phenolbausteine in 1,3-Stellung durch Umsetzung mit den entsprechenden Tosylaten etherartig gebunden. Nach Abspaltung der Benzylether-Schutzgruppe wird durch Fragmentkondensation mit 2,6-bisbrommethylierten 4-Alkylphenolen das neue Calix[4]aren gebildet. Für8c wurde die Struktur durch Einkristallröntgenstrukturanalyse bestätigt. Beide Calixarenteile nehmen diecone-Konformation ein, wobei in die beiden Hohlräume je ein Molekül Acetonitril eingeschlossen wird.

     

A new fluorescent double-cavity calix[4]arene: synthesis and complexation studies toward nitroanilines

A novel bicyclic calix[4]arene (4) molecular receptor has been synthesized, and its sensory abilities toward noxious aromatic nitroamines evaluated in apolar media. Molecular host–guest interactions examined through fluorescence and ¹H NMR spectroscopies showed the formation of 1:1 type endo-inclusion complexes with all the nitroaniline guests. The potential of 4 as a chemical sensor is established.     

Aminolysis reaction of calix [ 4 ] arene esters and crystal structures and conformational behaviors of calix[4]arene amides

We first make use of aminolysis of calix[4]arene esters to synthesize calix[4]arene amides. When the two ethyl esters of the calix[4]arene esters are aminolysized, the 1, 3-amide derivative is formed selectively. The crystal structures of the calix-[4]arene with two butyl amide (3b) and four butyl amide moieties (4b) were determined. The intermolecular hydrogen bonds make 4b form two-dimensional net work insolid state. The 1H NMR spectra prove that 3b is of a pinched cone conformation, while 4b and tetraheptylamide-calix[4]arene (6b) take fast interconversion between two C2v isomers in solution and appear an apparent cone conformation at room temperature. As decreasing temperature, the interconversion rate decreases gradually and, finally, the interconversion process is frozen at Tc = -10℃, which makes both conformations of 4b and 6b the pinched cone structures. The hydrogen bond improves the interconversion barrier, and the large different values of the potential barrier between 6b and 4b (or 6b) may     

Conformational instability of a proximally-difunctionalized calix[4]-diquinone

We have recently described the electrochemical oxidation of 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25, 26-bis(diphenylphosphinoylmethoxy)-27,28-dihydroxycalix[4]arene into the corresponding diquinone 1. The solid state structure of 1 has now been determined by a single crystal X-ray diffraction study. Diquinone 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group with a=10.3507(12), b=25.219(4), c=20.2315(14) Å, β=101.166(8)°, V=5181.1(10) Å³, Z=4, and D_x=1.273 g cm⁻³. The calixarene skeleton adopts a partial cone conformation in which one quinone ring is anti-oriented with respect to the other three rings of the calixarene core. A variable temperature NMR study shows that 1 is dynamic in solution, each quinone unit undergoing fast oscillation about the axis that passes through the two meta carbon atoms bonded to the adjacent methylene groups. The motion of the quinone rings was confirmed by 2D NMR experiments.     

New preorganized calix[4]arenes. Part I. A doubly-crowned calix and a double-calixcrown derived from 4,6,10,12,16,18,22,24,25,26,27,28-Dodecamethyl-5,11,17,23-tetrahydroxycalix[4] arene

A doubly-crowned calix and a double-calixcrown derived from 4,6,10,12,16,18,22,24,25,26,27, 28-dodecamethyl-5,11,17, 23-tetrahydroxycalix[4]arene (1) have been prepared by reaction of appropriate oligoethylene glycol ditosylates with (1) in acetonitrile in the presence of potassium carbonate. A potassium template effect is observed during one of the double cyclizations.     

Synthesis of calix[4]arene alkylamine derivatives as new phase-transfer catalysts for esterification reaction

This study reports the synthesis of calix[4]arene-based phase-transfer catalysts derived from the reaction of 5,17-di-tert-butyl-25,27,26,28-tetrahydroxycalix[4]arene with N-ethylpiperazine, diallylamine or 4-benzylpiperidine. The catalytic efficiency of the calix[4]arenes alkylamine derivatives was evaluated by carrying out the ester-forming reaction of alkali metal carboxylates (sodium butyrate or sodium caprylate) with p-nitrobenzyl bromide. It has been observed that the ester-forming reaction of alkali metal carboxylates with p-nitrobenzyl bromide, using the N-ethylpiperazine amine derivative of calix[4]arene as a phase-transfer catalyst in dichloromethane at 25 °C, provided the best yields.     

On the importance of the pore inner cavity for the ionophoric activity of 1,3-alternate calix[4]arene/steroid conjugates

1,3-Alternate calix[4]arenes, decorated with four nonpolar ‘all-trans’ tetracyclic nuclei and cation-stabilizing β-methoxyethoxy appendages, were synthesized from commercially available starting materials and through straightforward functional groups transformations/couplings. Their Na⁺-transport activities, when compared with those exerted by the known conformationally-rigidified 1,3-alternate calix[4]arene AB/cis cholic acid conjugates, suggest that the cation conductance is related to the morphology of the pendant steroids.     

Azobenzene-bridged calix[8]arenes

An azobenzene bridge was introduced into the lower (or smaller) rim of p-tert-butylcalix[8]arene (1) and 1,5-calix[8]crown-3 (2) to form 1,4-singly bridged (3) and 1,5:3,7-doubly bridged (4) calix[8]arene derivatives, respectively. Trans and cis isomers of conformationally rigid 4 were isolated. The quantum yields of the trans-cis photoisomerisation reactions have been measured.     

New water-soluble iminecalix[4]arene with a deep hydrophobic cavity

We report the synthesis of a new water-soluble iminecalix[4]arene host 4c with a deep hydrophobic cavity. The negatively charged four carboxylate functions on the top of the cavity play a major role in the recognition of charged molecular species. The ¹H NMR titration experiments revealed that host 4c binds with cationic (10-12) and neutral guests (6-9) in water with high binding constants in the order of 10⁴-10⁵ M⁻¹. Cationic guest 9 showed highest binding constant of 2.81 × 10⁵ M⁻¹ with host 4c amongst all tested guests. Selectivity over anionic guests (13-17) is established by the presence of negative charges at the top of the deep hydrophobic cavity, as guests 15 and 17 were not recognized by host 4c. Neutral pyridine derivatives with hydrophobic chains at para positions showed high binding constants of 6.02 × 10⁴-2.23 × 10⁵ M⁻¹. The data obtained for the recognition of the guests by host 4c revealed that the ionic as well as the hydrophobic-hydrophobic interactions are crucial in the molecular recognition in aqueous medium.     

Diazo-coupled calix[4]arenes for qualitative analytical screening of metal ions

New chromogenic diazophenylcalix[4]arenes 1 and 2 were synthesized in cone conformation. Compound 1 with the ortho-carboxyl groups in CH₃CN solution preferentially binds with alkaline earth and transition metal ions, whereas no significant changes in absorption spectra are observed in the presence of alkali metal ions. While 2 with the ortho-ester groups shows selective complexation properties towards transition metal ions over alkali and alkaline earth metal ions. The detection of metal ions gives rise to bathochromic shifts in the absorption spectra (from orange/yellow to red), which is clearly visible even to the naked eye. According to the selective color changes using both receptors upon cation complexation, one can set up a qualitative analytical routine to screen alkali, alkaline earth, and transition metal ions.     

Synthesis of two calix[4]arene diamide derivatives for extraction of chromium(VI)

The synthesis of four diamide derivatives of the p-tert-butylcalix[4]arenes from the reaction of 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25,27-diethoxycarbonylmethoxy-26,28-dihydroxycalix[4]arene 2 with various primary amines were reported. The ¹H and ¹³C NMR, data showed that the synthesized compounds exist in the cone conformation. The complexing properties of these compounds toward Cr₂O₇²⁻/HCr₂O₇⁻ anions are also studied. It has been observed that receptors 5 and 6 are better extractant than the compounds 3 and 4. The protonated alkyl ammonium form of 5 and 6 is an effective extractant for transferring HCr₂O₇⁻/Cr₂O₇²⁻ anions from an aqueous phase into a dichloromethane layer.