Anion Complexation by Meso-Octamethylcalix[4]pyrrole in Aqueous Solution

The ligand calix[4]pyrrole is quite insoluble in aqueous solution. In the presence of NaCl, KCl, CsCl, NH₄Cl, CaCl₂, and CdCl₂, the solubility of calix[4]pyrrole linearly increases with the salt concentration. The ligand calix[4]pyrrole forms stable complexes with the chloride anion. All other halogen anions do not form complexes. The measurement of the amount of dissolved ligand allows the determination of the complex stabilities in aqueous solution. This experimental method is discussed in detail due to its general suitability to study the complexation reactions with nearly insoluble ligands.     

Synthesis and characterisation of a calix[4]pyrrole functional polystyrene via ‘click chemistry’ and its use in the extraction of halide anion salts

A polystyrene with pendant calix[4]pyrroles was prepared via ‘click reaction’ strategy. First, a poly(styrene-co-chloromethylstyrene) with approximately 12% of chloro groups was prepared by conventional free radical polymerisation. The chloro groups were then converted to azido groups using NaN₃ in N,N-dimethylformamide. An alkyne-functionalised calix[4]pyrrole was then coupled to the azido-functionalised polystyrene by click chemistry with high efficiency. The resulting polystyrene with pendant calix[4]pyrroles was used to extract fluoride and chloride anions (as their tetrabutylammonium salts) from their aqueous solutions to organic media.     

Micellization and Thermogelation of Poly(ether urethane)s Comprising Poly(ethylene glycol) and Poly(propylene glycol)

A series of multiblock poly(ether urethane)s comprising poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), and poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) segments were synthesized. Their aqueous solutions exhibited thermogelling behavior at critical gelation concentrations (CGC) ranging from 8 to 12 wt%. The composition and structural information of the copolymers were studied by GPC and ¹H NMR. The critical micellization concentration (CMC) and thermodynamic parameters for micelle formation were determined at different temperatures. The temperature response of the copolymer solutions were studied and found to be associated with the composition of the copolymers.     

Chloride‐Selective Electrodes Based on “Two‐Wall” Aryl‐Extended Calix[4]Pyrroles: Combining Hydrogen Bonds and Anion–π Interactions to Achieve Optimum Performance

The performance of chloride‐selective electrodes based on “two‐wall” aryl‐extended calix[4]pyrroles and multiwall carbon nanotubes is presented. The calix[4]pyrrole receptors bear two phenyl groups at opposite meso‐positions. When the meso‐phenyl groups are decorated with strong electron‐withdrawing substituents, attractive anion–π interactions may exist between the receptor’s aromatic walls and the sandwiched anion. These anion–π interactions are shown to significantly affect the selectivity of the electrodes. Calix[4]pyrrole, bearing a p‐nitro withdrawing group on each of the meso‐phenyl rings, afforded sensors that display anti‐Hofmeister behavior against the lipophilic salicylate and nitrate anions. Based on the experimental data, a series of principles that help in predicting the suitability of synthetic receptors for use as anion‐specific ionophores is discussed. Finally, the sensors deliver excellent results in the direct detection of chloride in bodily fluids.     

A Single‐Wavelength‐Emitting Ratiometric Probe Based on Phototriggered Fluorescence Switching of Graphene Quantum Dots

Ratiometric fluorescent probes are of great importance in research, because a built‐in correction for environmental effects can be provided to reduce background interference. However, the traditional ratiometric fluorescent probes require two luminescent materials with different emission bands. Herein a novel ratiometric probe based on a single‐wavelength‐emitting material is reported. The probe works by regulating the luminescent property of graphene quantum dots with UV illumination as activator. The ratiometric sensor shows high sensitivity and specificity for iron ions. Moreover, the ratiometric sensor was successfully employed to monitor ferritin levels in Sprague Dawley rats with chemical‐induced acute liver damage. The proposed single‐wavelength ratiometric fluorescent probe may greatly broaden the applicability of ratiometric sensors in diagnostic devices, medical applications, and analytical chemistry.     

A colorimetric tetrathiafulvalene-calix[4]pyrrole anion sensor

The interaction and colorimetric sensing properties of a tetrathiafulvalene substituted calix[4]pyrrole sensor with anions were investigated using ¹H NMR and absorption spectroscopic techniques. Visual color changes were observed upon addition of different anions (Cl⁻, Br⁻, CN⁻, and AcO⁻) to a solution of the sensor.     

杯[4]二吡咯与卤素阴离子相互作用的密度泛函理论研究

采用密度泛函B3LYP方法, 在6\|31G*/LANL2DZ水平上对杯[4]二吡咯主体分子及其与卤素阴离子形成的复合物进行研究.  结果表明, 杯[4]二吡咯可与卤素阴离子相互作用形成具有较高对称性的复合物, 其8个吡咯NH基团上的H原子均可以和卤素阴离子形成氢键; 杯[4]二吡咯与卤素阴离子结合能力大小的顺序为F- >Cl- >Br- > I-.  振动光谱、 电荷分布以及前线轨道计算结果表明, 杯[4]二吡咯与卤素阴离子相互作用的本质为氢键, 经BSSE校正的结合能与电荷转移程度、 N-H键键长和N-H伸缩振动频率变化呈线性关系.      

杯[4]吡咯-阴离子体系相互作用的理论研究——杯[4]吡咯-卤素阴离子体系的密度泛函研究

用密度泛函B3LYP/LANL2DZ方法对自由杯[4]吡咯的最低能量构象和卤素阴离子-杯[4]吡咯复合物进行了计算研究.结果表明,杯[4]吡咯与卤素离子能通过彼此间的相互作用形成复合物,并且这种相互作用在本质上应为分子间的氢键相互作用;杯[4]吡咯与卤素阴离子形成的复合物在构型变化、电荷转移、前线轨道及其作用方式、成键布居以及能量和热力学参数等方面均按元素周期律有规律地变化,杯[4]吡咯与卤素阴离子间的相互作用沿元素周期依次减少.     

Highly selective sensing of cyanide by a benzochromene-based ratiometric fluorescence probe

Enone-functionalized benzochromene chemodosimeter (1) was prepared through the Baylis-Hillman condensation reaction and was utilized as a ratiometric fluorescence probe for cyanide anions in aqueous buffer. The probe has shown a selective and sensitive response to cyanides over other various anions through the Michael addition and a subsequent [1,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement reaction. When cyanide anions were added, a prominent ratiometric fluorescence change of 1 was observed thus allowing to detect the micromolar concentration of cyanides by the naked eye.     

β-三氰基乙烯取代杯[4]吡咯与阴离子相互作用的密度泛函理论研究

采用密度泛函B3LYP方法对β-三氰基乙烯取代杯[4]吡咯主体分子及其与阴离子(F-、Cl-、CH3COO-、H2PO4-)形成的复合物进行研究。结果表明,β-三氰基乙烯取代杯[4]吡咯可与阴离子以分子间氢键相互作用形成复合物,并且其与阴离子结合能力大小的顺序为F-> CH3COO-> H2PO4-> Cl-,与实验结果基本一致;通过与杯[4]吡咯对比可见,强吸电子取代基的引入增强了主体分子对阴离子的结合能力。本文还从几何构型、振动光谱、NBO分析及前线轨道等方面来阐述β-三氰基乙烯取代杯[4]吡咯与不同阴离子氢键相互作用的本质以及吸电子取代基的引入对杯[4]吡咯与F-和Cl-之间主-客体相互作用的影响。     

A ratiometric benzothiazole-based fluorescence probe for selectively recognizing HClO and its practical applications

A ratiometric probe (HBT-HBZ) bearing 2-hydrazino benzothiazole and 3-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-2-hydroxy-5-methylbenzaldehyde for sensing hypochlorous acid (HClO) with high selectivity and sensitivity is reported in this article. The fluorescence intensity ratios (I_{470 nm}/I_{572 nm}) of the probe with different concentrations of analyte showed excellent selectivity and a linear response to minor changes in HClO. The detection limit of 24 nmol/L suggests that the sensor is very sensitive to HClO. According to the series of performed experiments, HBT-HBZ has practical applications, such as the detection of HClO residues in tap water, which has been rarely reported. In addition, confocal laser microscopy experiments confirmed that HBT-HBZ can selectively recognize HClO in HeLa cells. A ratiometric probe (HBT-HBZ) for sensing HClO with high selectivity and sensitivity is reported in this article. The probe exhibited high selectivity for HClO among other ROS, RNS and anions. In addition, HBTHBZ has some practical applications such as the analysis of the HClO content in tap water. Furthermore, confocal fluorescence microscopy imaging showed that HBT-HBZ can be applied for detecting HClO in living cells.     

A novel colorimetric and fluorometric anion sensor based on BODIPY-calix[4]pyrrole conjugate

A novel fluorescent anion sensor 1 based on boradiazaindacenes (BODIPY) derivative was synthesized and its absorption and fluorescence properties were investigated in various solvents. 1 exhibited a red shift of absorption spectrum and fluorescence quenching in varying degree in the presence of F^?, AcO^?, H₂PO₄ ^? and Cl^? due to multiple hydrogen bonding interactions between these anions and calix[4]pyrrole receptor. As an anion sensor in the visible region, 1 displayed the similar selectivity and sensitivity toward anions compared to the parent calix[4]pyrrole. However, 1 can be used as an effective dual responsive optical sensor for F^? via chromogenical and fluorogenical signals.     

Tuning the anion binding properties of calixpyrroles by means of p-nitrophenyl substituents at their meso-positions

Extended cavity calix[4]pyrroles and a calix[6]pyrrole were synthesized by cyclization of 5-methyl-5-(4-nitrophenyl)dipyrromethane with acetone in the presence of acid. The solid-state structures of the novel macrocycles were determined by X-ray crystallography. The host-guest chemistry of these receptors towards halide ions was investigated in solution by ¹H NMR titration techniques and compared with those of the meso-octamethylcalix[4]pyrrole and meso-dodecamethylcalix[6]pyrrole. The binding of chloride anions was observed to occur with different affinities on the two faces of the novel calix[6]pyrrole derivative described here.     

A Highly Chemically Stable Metal–Organic Framework as a Luminescent Probe for the Regenerable Ratiometric Sensing of pH

A heteroatom‐rich 3D noninterpenetrating metal–organic framework (MOF) Cd‐EDDA constructed from an ethylene glycol ether bridging tetracarboxylate ligand H₄EDDA (5,5′‐(ethane‐1,2‐diylbis(oxy))diisophthalic acid) shows good chemical resistance to both acidic and alkaline solutions with a pH ranging from 2.0 to 12.2. There is a corresponding ratiometric luminescence response to pH from 2.0 to 11.5, and the sensing mechanism is also discussed through ion chromatography and molecular force field‐based calculations. Importantly, the probe can easily be regenerated simply by modulating the pH of the solution, thus being the first example of a regenerable MOF‐based ratiometric luminescent probe for pH.     

Separation of Phenolic Compounds and Organic Anions Using ODS Column Coated with Meso-octamethylcalix[4]pyrrole and Water as Eluent

Octadecylsilanized silica (ODS) was coated with meso-octarnethylcalix[4]pyrrole to obtain a novel calix[4]pyrrole containing stationary phase for HPLC. Compared to ODS, the new stationary phase showed a relatively large retention and an improved separation for phenolic compounds and organic anions, using pure water as mobile phase. The results can be ascribed to the interaction between analytes and calix[4]pyrrole.     

Effect of copolymer composition on interpolymer complex formation of (co)poly(vinyl ether)s with poly(acrylic acid) in aqueous and organic solutions

The complex formation between vinyl ether of poly(ethylene glycol‐co‐vinyl butyl ether) with poly(acrylic acid) has been considered in aqueous and isopropanol solutions. The effect of copolymer composition on the complex formation process was clarified. It has been shown that the incorporation of hydrophobic fragments into macromolecules enhances the hydrophobic stabilization of polycomplexes in aqueous solutions. In organic media this effect disappears. The stability of polycomplexes formed both in aqueous and in organic solutions in respect to the addition of dimethylformamide has been studied.     

Calix[6]pyrrole and hybrid calix[n]furan[m]pyrroles (n+m=6): syntheses and host-guest chemistry

Calix[6]pyrrole 2 and the "hybrid systems" calix[3]furan[3]pyrrole 12, calix[2]furan[4]pyrrole 13, and calix[1]furan[5]pyrrole 14, have been synthesized by increasing conversion of the furan units present in the readily accessible calix[6]furan 3 to pyrroles. The host-guest chemistry of these novel macrocycles towards a number of anions, including halogen ions, dihydrogen phosphate, hydrogen sulfate, nitrate, and cyanide has been investigated in solution by (1)H NMR titration techniques and/or phase transfer experiments. The solid-state structures of the free receptors 2, 12, and 13, the 1:1 complexes of calix[6]pyrrole 2 with chloride and bromide, and the 1:1 complex of 14 with chloride are also reported.     

A PEGylated Fluorescent Turn‐On Sensor for Detecting Fluoride Ions in Totally Aqueous Media and Its Imaging in Live Cells

Owing to the considerable significance of fluoride anions for health and environmental issues, it is of great importance to develop methods that can rapidly, sensitively and selectively detect the fluoride anion in aqueous media and biological samples. Herein, we demonstrate a robust fluorescent turn‐on sensor for detecting the fluoride ion in a totally aqueous solution. In this study, a biocompatible hydrophilic polymer poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) is incorporated into the sensing system to ensure water solubility and to enhance biocompatibility. tert‐Butyldiphenylsilyl (TBDPS) groups were then covalently introduced onto the fluorescein moiety, which effectively quenched the fluorescence of the sensor. Upon addition of fluoride ion, the selective fluoride‐mediated cleavage of the Si? O bond leads to the recovery of the fluorescein moiety, resulting in a dramatic increase in fluorescence intensity under visible light excitation. The sensor is responsive and highly selective for the fluoride anion over other common anions; it also exhibits a very low detection limit of 19 ppb. In addition, this sensor is operative in some real samples such as running water, urine, and serum and can accurately detect fluoride ions in these samples. The cytotoxicity of the sensor was determined to be Grade I toxicity according to United States Pharmacopoeia and ISO 10993‐5, suggesting the very low cytotoxicity of the sensor. Moreover, it was found that the senor could be readily internalized by both HeLa and L929 cells and the sensor could be utilized to track fluoride level changes inside the cells.     

Theoretical study of anion binding to calix[4]pyrrole: the effects of solvent,fluorine substitution,cosolute, and water traces

The binding of different anions to calix[4]pyrrole has been studied by means of molecular dynamics coupled to thermodynamic integration calculations. The effect of different apolar solvents, octafluoro substitution, and the change in binding free energy derived from the presence of cosolute and water traces (the hydrated salt used to introduce the anion in the solution) were examined. Calculations allow us to rationalize the differential binding of ions to calix[4]pyrrole and octafluorocalix[4]pyrrole as well as to predict the behavior in new solvents for which experimental data are not available yet. It is found that both calix[4]pyrrole and octafluorocalix[4]pyrrole have a dramatic preference for F- in the gas phase and pure aprotic solvents, but the situation can change dramatically in protic solvents or in the presence of the hydrated cation which is used as cosolute of the anion. Overall, our results provide interesting clues for a better understanding of the process detected experimentally as "binding".     

Meso-diacylated calix[4]pyrrole: structural diversities and enhanced binding towards dihydrogenphosphate ion

Meso-diacylated calix[4]pyrrole was obtained via acid catalysed condensation of meso-acylated dipyrromethane with acetone. Selective presence of flexible substituents at the calix[4]pyrrole periphery led to interesting structural motifs in the solid state along with enhanced binding towards anions, especially dihydrogenphosphate ion via anchoring.